Today's tech snack can be found at the following url: https://www.emaze.com/
What is it and how can I use it in my classroom?
Emaze is an online presentation tool. It requires no software to be installed on your computer/personal device, though it does require you to create a username and password to use the service. In order to create a username, an e-mail address must be provided. The tool uses html 5 which means it can be accessed and used on any device that is Internet Enabled included tablets, iPads, laptops and smartphones. Also, all presentations are saved on the cloud (which is just a techie word for saying that the presentations are saved online), so they do not take up space/memory on your personal device.
There is a free version of this tool as well as a paid version, though for this blog entry, I will concentrate on the free version. With the free version, you can create presentations from existing templates and when you save your work, it is public to all. You can also import slides from existing PowerPoints you have created! You are able to add and remove your own content and you can share your presentation via a URL link. Usernames and passwords ARE NOT required to watch the presentations. Features like being able to download your presentation and having multiple collaborators are paid features. The interface is pretty simple to use and doesn’t have all the commands and functions that can seem overwhelming in PowerPoint. Look at the screen shot below to see how to use the interface.
Using this tool, you could create a slideshow for any classroom presentation and you can share the presentation either using a LCD projector or simply sharing the URL with your students. Since you need an email address to create an account, consider creating a class account for younger students to use. If your students are older and are allowed to set up personal accounts, have students create and collaborate on their own presentations. Have students use this online tool as they would any presentation tool. Be sure to demonstrate HOW to use this tool on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Also, be aware that you can add online content like online videos, websites, and online audio files. If such content is normally blocked by your school's Internet filter, it will also be blocked using this tool.
This tool provides an easy way to share content with your students without having to rely on having a projector. You could flip your classroom and schedule presentations for students to view from home. A student who is homebound could also follow along in class, by simply having the link and following along from home.
**Please note this tool is in beta form-which means that the occasional bug may appear when you are using it. I have not encountered any bugs during my test of this tool, but in the interest of full disclosures, I wanted to at least make you aware that that is a possibility.