Here comes the BOOM!

Slideboom that is!  Presented with the challenge of having a Power Point presentation I wanted to make easily accessible on my web page and in a Moodle, I was faced with the issue of converting my Power Point presentation into a Flash presentation.  Being a Mac user (and having NO regrets there), I began searching the web for a means to do so, but was worried my options would be limited.

Looking over multiple links, I found several companies (whom I won't support by providing their link), who wanted to charge me for this ability.  In comes Slideboom to the rescue!  Within minutes, I had uploaded my presentation, converted it to flash, and had an embed code ready for my website and my Moodle!

Though there is an option for a paid account, the free account provides you with plenty of opportunity to increase the accessibility of your presentation and share it with others, if you like.  Additionally, Slideboom gives you access to the presentations of others and allows you to tag, rank, and comment on presentations.  As an educator I found this to be a powerful option for those times when I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, but want to find something that will grab student attention.  Being able to search presentations by popularity could expedite this process.  If presentations are your thing and you want to move them beyond your desktop, I think Slideboom is the way to go!

Yodi, Yodi, Yodio!

In preparing sites for students and trying to make them more accessible, adding audio to either compliment or repeat text can be very powerful.  This is the case especially for students who have difficulty with reading or when trying to simplify vocabulary that may be included on the site the students is being directed to.  Additionally, having an audio stream or a podcast for your audience can be more engaging and, in the case where you update regularly, draw them back for more.

The problem with the podcast, is that many people are intimidated by technology.  Though some may get as far as utilizing a drag and drop website service, such as Weebly, adding something such as a podcast may prove to be too daunting.  Recording, editing, then embedding, can be a bit of a challenge with some programs and presents differently with different operating systems. 

In steps Yodio!  A free, create via phone, podcasting service, which allows you to create a podcast from your phone, add a picture from your computer, then put them together as an audio file that can compliment, supplement, or replace the content you're wanting to share.  You can share the file on your web page, social network, or even email it to share it more privately.  Yodio does offer more features for those who want to get more commercial use out of it, but as far as educational use goes, the free membership is great!  Check it out!