Twitter, meet Powerpoint. Powerpoint, meet Web 2.0!

In looking for ways to improve the work we do as job seeker network group leaders, I began to think about my facilitation skills and how we could create a more engaging environment. 

Attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver last year, I was struck by how cool it was to watch the real-time messages coming from cell phones that scrolled across the bottom of the screen as the presenters spoke.  It really created a sense that something bigger than the people in the crowd was happening, and in a way made me feel very connected.

With all the Web2.0 stuff out there, I got to thinking, hey, I wonder if there's a way I could do that during my presentations.  The anarchist in me thought how cool it would be if audience members could "tweet" during the presentation and it would show up live in my presentation.  Well, to steal from Apple's iPhone - "Yep, there's an app for that."  In fact, there's 2 I found that seem worthwhile trying:

1. SAP Xcelsius for PowerPoint

Check out the information in the section below taken from the SAP 2.0 blog.  So far, I haven't been able to make this one work, but I'm still working on it.  If you use it in your presentations, please share your feedback here.  This could be way cool!  This one has a ticker feed at the bottom, a thought bubble view, and polling.  It's a beta, but has potential

2.  PollEverywhere in PowerPoint

This one, I did get to work, and it has great potential.  Check it out at:  http://www.polleverywhere.com/twitter-powerpoint-slides

There's a free version, and then there's a paying version, so check it out.  You set up an account, create a poll and it gives the many ways to get messages to it.  This I did get to work.  Seeing the Powerpoint presentation update in near realtime was a hoot.  This is a great tool for multivoting.  Unlike the systems of the past that were clunky and expensive, this gives presenters a cool way to re-engage with their audiences.

Please share your ideas on how you might use these tools, and any feedback on how it goes.  I sure will!

- Best,
Dan.

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FREE PowerPoint Twitter Tools

A beta version of PowerPoint Twitter Tools is now available for testing. Based on SAP BusinessObjects Xcelsius technology,
the twitter tools allow PowerPoint presenters to see and react to
tweets in real-time, embedded directly within their presentations,
either as a ticker or refreshable comment page. There are currently
three tools:

• PowerPoint Twitter ticker bar


• PowerPoint Twitter feedback slide


• PowerPoint Twitter voting

You can download a PowerPoint presentation containing the tools and
instructions at the bottom of this page. Please note that these are
prototypes, without any guarantees.

Please note that Twitter limits the number of searches from a single
IP address. A single presenter should not trip the limits, but several
people all using the tools at the same time (e.g. at single SAP office)
might. If you're getting a consistent ‘#2032' error, that may be the
cause...

Display a real-time twitter Bar at the bottom of each slide

The twitter ticker bar sits at the bottom of each PowerPoint slide,
displaying the ten latest tweets that contain a particular search
string (e.g. "#businessobjects"). Status is maintained across slide
transitions.

Display a feedback slide with questions and comments from Twitter

Replace your standard Q&A slide with a twitter-powered version!

Real-time voting over Twitter

Let the audience vote on choices by sending a tweet! Supports up to six choices, and up to 100 votes.

Download the free PowerPoint twitter display tools!

Download the PowerPoint .ppt file with embedded tools and instructions.

Contact me if you'd like more information! timo.elliott@sap.com

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PollEverywhere

Your audience is tweeting

How do you draw them into your presentation?
By asking for their opinion, and displaying their tweets directly in your slides.
With Poll Everywhere, you can invite people to tweet a short comment
directly to your slide in real-time, while still blocking inappropriate
or off-topic tweets. You can also ask multiple choice questions and
watch a graph evolve as people vote.