I love almost anything animated! In preparation for the classroom, I’ve designed and imagined many assessments that include learning how to use animation tools and pair with creative narratives. I will admit though, I don’t have a grasp on such a tool. In fact, I thought it was probably beyond my purview…

With that caveat, and the opportunity to learn how to do something I personally might appreciate and use in the classroom, I’ve embarked on a first-hand and first-time use and review of Powtoon. As someone whose development was greatly shaped by TV like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and South Park, an appreciation for understated animation paired with clever (to me, at least) dialogue is just *chef’s kiss.*

Screenshot from Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode “Kangarilla and the Magic Tarantula.” https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/80/ATHFmainv2.png

First things first: Login via Google account (I hate when they make me create a new user account–big detterant for me). Note, premium use of Powtoon is limited, but basic/watermarked projects are available for free.

Second thing: Be totally overwhelmed at the “workspace” and go to Youtube to look for “how to” video. I look for the newest tutorial video with the most views, assuming the layout has likely changed overtime and god knows that will further confuse me. I go with “Powtoon Demo For Animation Videos (Powtoon Tutorial 2024)”

This proved helpful for becoming more familiar and for jumping right into a project. Off the hop, I learned I can make whiteboard videos! This opens up a whole new potential for me in the classroom. I always wondered how those were made while watching educational/informational youtube videos. An example of this can be found on 2 Minute Classroom’s channel where the whiteboard is used exclusively. I think I could put this to use regularly in the classroom to accompany lessons/plans and mini-lectures for independent and group work too. According to the tutorial video, it is easier than I thought!

Third thing: At the top of workspace, select new whiteboard project. Choose a template

(these are limited under education/teaching headings and even more so if you account for the fact premium content is temporary). Ideally, I create something from scratch once I get the hang of it. Just for fun, and to capture the closest thing to 2 Minute Classroom’s shtick, I went with “White Board Explainer” found underLearning & Development.

There is also the AI video creator, but that is also premium and one thing at a time, I reckon.

Now, click “Edit in Studio” and start messing around!

The one thing I liked right away was the set up. The “studio” looks pretty dang close to Google Slides or Mac Presentation. Slides, script, music, and a test play button all help the first time user intuitively know what to do if they have any experience with slides. Simiarlly, you can change the slide layout, just like you would in Google Slides, making it seem way more acessible. Good on ’em for not reinventing the wheel!

Just like I would in a slide deck, I edit the individual image or text within the slide, add an effect, and test it.

There are characters, props, images, backgrounds, and effects that can all be dragged on the slide’s timescale, allowing you to introduce elements at a preferred time. It is very simple and super intuitive to use!

In addition to using the program for teaching, students can use it to accompany their own reports or presentations in a way that familiarizes them with amateur animations. It is a stepping stone to more complicated animation or video editing. It would be a great way to start a semester where students could build off of their inital learning.

Anyway, this is what I started on using the above template if you want to check it out (first couple slides are mine, rest are template, but you get the just)