On Deck...

Finding an uncomplicated presentation tool is a huge positive.  Early in the fall of 2012 a new web 2.0 application was made available.  In fact, when you access the home page of the web site these words in big bold letters greet the user:  The Easiest Way to Present Online.

Free of charge, Rvl.io offers:

• easy editing
• can be viewed on mobile devices
• multiple themes and transitions
• default setting is private but can be published for all to see
• presentations can be exported and
• option to tweak HTML code if editor does not meet your expectations.

In reading the terms of service there does not appear to be any age limitations but I would still acquire parent/guardian approval for those users 13 years and under.  The home page contains recently published and popular right now presentations for users of the site.

Click the green Get Started button to begin use.  You log in with your OpenID, Google, Yahoo! or AOL account.  Upon logging in you are taken to a new window asking for a user name. Your next window is where the fun begins.

When you mouse over the New Deck button in the upper right-hand corner it turns green for the go-ahead.  When selected the next window asks for a Presentation Title.  With the title chosen you can add your slides.

Across the top of your work space is a tool bar with the following options:

• bold, italics or underline for text
• left, center, right or justified margins
• numbered or bulleted lists
• eleven font styles
• nine format sizes
• text color
• change background color (text)
• add an image using a URL
• upload an image
• add and remove a link and
• access HTML code.

Along the right-hand side you can Save, Preview, Publish, change your Settings (theme and transition) and Export the presentation.  Beneath this list is a plus sign.  Click on this to add a slide.  Slides can be added horizontally or vertically.  If you wish to delete a slide, a red "x" is located in the upper left-hand corner of each for that purpose.

Images loaded with ease using both the URL and upload options.  Text color and size could be adjusted once it was highlighted.  When adding links make sure to remove the http:// so there are not two when you add your link or it won't work.  When you click on the HTML button on the far right of the tool bar, you can quickly add code from a YouTube video.  

After I added the text, images and links I selected Settings on the right-hand side.  There are six different themes and transitions.  You can choose combinations and preview until you get it just right.

I decided to Publish my presentation making it public.  After I clicked on the button to accomplish that task I selected the arrow in the upper left-hand corner which takes you to your presentations.  At the next window mouse over the small button with Publish on it.

When you do this, two buttons appear in the lower right-hand corner allowing you to Edit or Unpublish.  If you click the Publish button you are taken to a new window.  At this window four small icons beneath your slide deck, left to right, give you the options of viewing in full screen, commenting, sharing or editing.

When you click Share a small window pops up with a unique URL for your presentation and a HTML code for embedding in a blog or web site.  You can also use Facebook, Twitter or Google + to share your slide deck with others.  If any comments are made, they, too, can be shared on Facebook or Twitter.

Without a doubt I have another great web 2.0 application to store in my virtual toolbox.  It meets all the requirements for ease of use with students.  I highly recommend using Rvl.io .  Here is my sample.

I discovered Rvl.io from a tweet by Heather Moorefield, Education Librarian at Virginia Tech and former chair of the AASL Best Websites for Teaching and Learning.