ZAP! BOOM! POWTOON!

Powtoon: You've got the POWER! (spoken in my best He Man voice)

  After having seen a Powtoon presentation the other day, I knew I had to try one. I was expecting a bit of a struggle, but it came quick, it came fun and it came with a BOOM!  Powtoon is a web-based presentation software that allows the user to create cartoon presentations.  There are many pre-made templates, but I found that it was easier to just start from scratch, so that I could get it exactly how I wanted it.  The software allows the creator to add animations, interesting slide transitions, images, and music.  When it is all done,  it is played like a movie (rather than slides). It can be easily uploaded to youtube, or you can download the video file. 

There is a free based version, and a purchasable version.  The purchasable one does not have the Powtoon logo on it, and it also gives you more options for music and images.  If you were wanting to use this regularly, it would probably be worth it. 

Here is my Powtoon that I created for introducing an assignment for my students in our Government unit: Why learn about governments?

Here are a few ideas I have for using Powtoon in the classroom:
- introduce assignments
-  teacher uses to explain concepts
- students use to explain concepts 
- students use to show learning
- use for professional development presentations

I hope you take the time to try this one out.  It's a lot of fun!