1. Useful web 2.0 tools ThingLink VideoThingLink

2. Web 2.0 tools - Topics Definition Benefit for teachers/users Benefit for teachers/users Categories of tools Categories of tools How to use Pow toon ( How to use Pow toon (animated video explainers and presentations) Assignment Tutorials

3.  Definition a presentation tool that incorporates an intuitive user interface and cool comic graphics it allows keeping people and students engaged, generating interest and motivation both in classrooms and in other contextes- no matter the age of the addresses –free application can be found on the internet at the following link:. http://www.powtoon.com/http://www.powtoon.com/

4.  Benefit for teachers/users Thanks to the “suspension of disbelief” we can create eye-catching cartoons that will hook the audience increasing one’s involvement, making possible to absorb the messages in a more direct, persistent and therefore effective way (Spitalnik)

5. The suspenction of disbelief “Basically, we’ve been conditioned to accept cartoons as a nonthreatening form of communication and we absorb their messages in a very different way compared to the jaded “keepyour guard up” attitude we typically adopt.”(Hilya Spitalnik Pow toon)

6. “Creating an involving atmosphere” communicate through animated videos makes our topics and reports fresh and ejoyable because Observer eliminate criticizing attitude becoming more receptive And we can focus their concentration on the central message we want convey Get people involved while watching and also by creating cartoons! Using and encouraging our students to create cartoons allows the application of “ a non threatening tool which doesn’t give people the impression of being pushed to listen and pay attention.”(Hilya Spitalnik Pow toon )

7. Pow toon  Steps:  Sign up for

8. After having signed you up You can start working

9. important steps “what does or doesen’t work” We must ask ourselves “what does or doesen’t work” Spitalnik Our goal is to motivate our public to positive re-actions making use of that internal conversation everybody starts in his mind once he had received any sensory stimulus such as watching any imagine or animated clip. Coordinating images and speech with music choose “short phrases or words to emphasize emotional triggers” Spitalnik Remember: Too much text can be distracting or boring bringing to a considerable downfall of concentration and therefore of engagement Spitalnik

10. Crystallizing the essence Crystallizing the essence of what we or our students intend to say. Therefore..  Short sentences  prepare short slides “including lots of interesting visuals ”(SP.)  Spitalnik suggests :Ideal length 63-92 seconds not longer and not more than 230 words, editing out nonessential, in order to obtain a compelling video which can get audience hooked.

11. You don’t need to be a professional animator to get started with PowToon (Sp.)

12. Log in to

13. Planning  Storyboarding: draft a sort of compelling short story about the theme you want to talk about or the events you want to narrate (Spit.) ( e.g. the procedure which has been used during a project…a report about an exchange…) as your animation script be very clear about the message you want to convey and the result you want to obtain

14. We can involve our students -Asking them to plan with us -connecting us to their “internal dialog” -using a captivating language -Making them protagonists of their - acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience

15. once we have the story ready we can start our work as cartoonists

16. we can choose templates and style – from the dashboard

17. or even download images from our desktop or internet  Click on the import image button

18. You can choose characters and shapes….

19. To fit script or chacters’ appearence to the slidetime use the timeline you find under the slide moving the white arrows and then saving

20.  Recording and adding audotracks using import sound button Coordinate sound and images

21. Attention! using the free version you must record the whole text at one time So be patient and try first letting the images run

22. And recording the text only when you are sure your speed fits the length of your script Don’t despair! Try and try again ‘till it fits : you can test by clicking apply then click on save

23. Let’s have a closer look Just two examples….

24.  Steps:  Sign up to pow toon( freeVersion )with your email address  Start (Click on icon create)  ChooseTemplate and click edit  Create the presentation  Prepare the text you will record  Try to fit text and length of the presentation  Record the voiceover at one time  Save it  Choose publish and after that share with Summing up

25. Assignment After watching the powtoon presentation try to create your own presentation about the topic you want and upload it on a sample Twinspace or use it in your classes and tell us about the reactions of your students Sample twinspace –….. –Public link to this TwinSpace: …..

26. Tutorials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b RqO5MasiFk http://www.powtoon.com/blog/categor y/videos/tutorials/ ://www.powtoon.com/tutorials/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A Fv8L0z-72c

27. Thanks for your attention Emma Giurlani (eTwinning ambassador in Italy) ciao!