Spark

Spark Video Presentation

Let me start by saying that I really, really wanted to like Spark. In a lot of ways it reminded me of Nearpod, but an easier to use, user friendly version. It had a lot of great options and components for teachers and businesses alike to use, such as a poster creator, invitations, and other graphics besides just the video slideshows. 

Getting Started

This week we were tasked with creating a video presentation. My immediate thought for use in my kindergarten was a presentation on personal space bubbles, something we've been talking about for a bit now and would like to reinforce. 

I chose the Show and Tell option, as it fit the closest to what I was planning. It was nice to have a blueprint mapped out for you while getting started to help generate ideas. There was also a video in the very beginning to help walk you through the process of creating the video (which was appreciated!). 

However I will say that I wish there was an easier way to add text and images in different spots; I'm used to google slides that can be personalized down to the letter, so it was an adjustment having to stick to the predetermined blueprints and one image or icon at a time. That and the images offered a limited pool (and actually had me changing from my initial idea to use a Mo Willems book to talk about).

I could have uploaded my own images, but it was nice that by using the pictures provided that Spark will cite them for you at the end.

Another issue I had with Spark was that the voice recording didn't work on my end, so I'm curious if anyone else experience problems with it. Each time I tried to record, it sounded as though I was on fast forward and didn't come out clearly. As far as I can tell my mic is working, so again, I'm not sure if this is a problem on my end or from the site.

Here is my spark presentation.

Final Impression

I did like Spark and can see how effective it would be in a classroom, especially when the voice recording is working properly. Next year I would even consider using this site to create my back to school presentation for parents instead of using PowerPoint or even Google Slides.