Have you ever heard of PowerPoint? I’m sure you have. For a decade, I taught middle schoolers in a Texas district how to create presentations using PowerPoint. One standout project was “Around the World.” Students picked eight destinations, added photos, crafted itineraries, and researched hotel and flight costs—basic stuff. But times have changed.
Despite PowerPoint’s features, numerous alternatives now offer broader functionalities. From close substitutes to more diverse tools, this is our focus here. If I were teaching today, I’d have students create a PowerPoint on one topic and another using a different tool.
Let’s begin with PowerPoint’s closest counterparts before exploring more diverse options.
Keynote
I use the Mac version of PowerPoint. I prefer Mac OS over Windows, so I’ve occasionally used Keynote, despite working in Google districts for several years. Keynote’s toolbar is cleaner, and its themes look sleeker and more appealing than PowerPoint’s, which aligns with Apple’s overall design ethos. It’s just as user-friendly as PowerPoint, if not more accessible.
Learn Around The World
Learn Around the World (LATW) aims to leverage technology for global connectivity among students and educators. Through various events and collaborative projects, LATW facilitates cross-border interactions, enabling students to engage with peers from different countries. Virtual field trips offer immersive experiences in foreign cultures and landscapes, enriching learning beyond traditional boundaries.
LATW hosts guest speakers and private events tailored for educators, providing opportunities to enhance teaching through firsthand insights and expertise. Imagine students conversing with a resident of Buenos Aires, exploring Argentina through interactive dialogue, and fostering curiosity-driven discussions.
Google Slides
Like Google Sheets and Docs, Google Slides is a straightforward alternative to PowerPoint. While less robust, its strength lies in collaborative capabilities (though Microsoft has made strides here, too). Working in my second consecutive Google district, I found that the convenience and efficiency of Google Slides make it a go-to when time is tight.
Now, onto PowerPoint alternatives in a league of their own…
Sway
I considered placing Sway alongside PowerPoint, but it serves a distinct purpose. Developed by Microsoft, Sway diverges from PowerPoint’s presenter-driven format, akin to a teacher-directed classroom. Sway excels at crafting interactive presentations that don’t require a live presenter. While PowerPoint offers extensive layout options and thousands of templates, Sway is more streamlined, with just three layouts and limited templates. Sway’s advantage lies in its viewer-friendly functionality, allowing viewers to navigate presentations more effortlessly than PowerPoint.
Prezi
No discussion of PowerPoint alternatives is complete without mentioning Prezi. It’s one of my favorites compared to PowerPoint. Prezi’s non-linear approach offers audiences a unique way to engage with content. It functions like a controlled bubble map, starting with a central topic and expanding to related issues.
However, Prezi has its drawbacks. Presentations are less customizable and can induce motion sickness in some viewers. Nevertheless, visually, it provides a compelling alternative to PowerPoint’s linear structure. It may appeal more to creative audiences than those preferring a more traditional approach.
Visme
Regarding enhancing visual content, Visme stands out as a powerful tool. It features HD backgrounds, millions of free images, graph tools, hundreds of fonts, data visualization capabilities, and a wide array of ready-to-use templates. However, the abundance of options in Visme can be overwhelming, making it challenging to fully master all its features. Two instructional technologists I consulted for this article praised Visme for its capabilities but expressed concerns about its complexity due to its many choices. In fields like marketing and education, where time is often limited, simplicity can sometimes be more beneficial than having an extensive range of options.
Beautiful AI
Albert Einstein’s famous quote, “Everything should be as simple as possible but not simpler,” encapsulates the philosophy behind Beautiful AI. This platform leverages Artificial Intelligence to autonomously create visually appealing slides with minimal user effort. However, the trade-off lies in limited customization options since the AI controls slide design substantially. Much like how Google autocompletes emails and text, Beautiful AI assists users in crafting slide presentations, balancing convenience with AI-driven design control.
Moovly
Looking to animate your ideas? Moovly is your go-to tool. It simplifies the creation of animated videos and presentations, allowing producers and presenters to either control the presentation or let the video play for viewers independently. With a vast library of over 750,000 templates and a user-friendly drag-and-drop animation feature, Moovly provides educators a versatile platform for students to showcase their learning from projects or assignments innovatively.
Glisser
I’m saving one of the most crucial aspects for last: audience interaction. Glisser excels at facilitating engagement through live Q&A sessions, polling, integration of social feeds, and private note-taking capabilities. Additionally, it provides:
- Analytics on presentation performance.
- Offering valuable insights for refining content and future presentations.
- Thus simplifying audience interaction tools for presenters.
In conclusion, some of these tools are free, while others have associated costs (e.g., Visme at $12/month). Some offer free basic features with paid upgrades (e.g., Prezi starting at $5). Each product mentioned emphasizes collaboration and user invitation, enabling teams to collaborate effectively.
Knowing these alternatives expands your presentation capabilities beyond the basics, potentially setting you apart in various fields such as job seeking, education, and marketing. Enjoy exploring and experimenting with these tools!
Frequently Asked Question
How can these tools benefit educators?
These tools support varied learning styles, foster creativity, and help educators create more engaging and memorable lessons. They also enable educators to assess student understanding through interactive features like quizzes and polls.
Are these tools suitable for remote learning?
Many alternative presentation tools offer cloud-based functionality and collaboration features, making them ideal for remote or hybrid learning environments. They allow educators to deliver dynamic presentations and engage students virtually.
Do these tools require special training?
While some tools may have a learning curve, many offer intuitive interfaces and resources, such as tutorials and templates, to help educators get started. Professional development opportunities and community forums can also aid in mastering these tools.
Are there costs associated with using these tools?
Costs vary by tool. Some offer free versions with basic features, while others require subscriptions for full access or premium features. Educators should consider their specific needs and budget when selecting a tool.
How can these tools be used beyond the classroom?
Beyond education, these tools are valuable for marketing, sales, and training professionals. They enable the creation of compelling presentations, pitches, and reports that stand out and effectively communicate ideas.
Where can I find more information about these tools?
Each tool typically has a website with detailed information, tutorials, pricing, and customer support options. Educators can also explore reviews, case studies, and recommendations from peers in educational technology communities.
Conclusion
Exploring alternative classroom presentation tools allows educators to enrich their teaching practices with innovation and creativity. These tools expand the possibilities for dynamic and interactive content, cater to diverse learning styles, and enhance student engagement. Whether through animated videos, non-linear storytelling, collaborative features, or AI-driven design, these innovations empower educators to deliver impactful lessons that resonate with students.
