Mobile Presentation Ideas

Todd Ogasawara had an interesting post in Social Times last week.
His predicament:

  • I’m scheduled to make a presentation to a professional organization on Thursday afternoon.
  • The venue is a restaurant and doesn’t have a configuration appropriate for a traditional projector and screen arrangement.

His solution:

  • Upload my presentation to SlideShare.
  • Use Google’s URL shortener (goo.gl) to create a short URL that points to my presentation on SlideShare.
  • Add a “.qr” to the goo.gl’s shortened URL to create a QR code that will be printed on paper and scattered around the venue.
  • People with smartphones and tablets can point apps like Google Search at the QR code on the pieces of paper and be taken to my presentation.
  • SlideShare’s web presentation system recognizes mobile web browsers and lets people swipe through the slide deck.

By the time I read Todd’s post (via a Diigo Teacher-Librarian alert) there were a number of comments on the post:
Douglass Lodmell:
I think this is a great idea, however as with any kind of new technology, there is still room for error. What if the your phone dies while scanning the code that has your presentation on? What if there’s a malfunction or an error? I would tend to er on the side of caution and have a backup to scanning a QR code until the glitches are worked out.
LynxTo:
I’d say if you have any handouts, you might print a QR code on it that points to a mobile web page like ours and gives not only your Slideshare but a way to connect through social networks so people can follow your further musings as well.
Jan Wong:
I think this idea is gold. I’ve never thought of that before! Definitely a great workaround. Providing a URL would do the same but I guess it is cooler with a QR code.
Doug Ridley:
Neat idea, but why not just share the bit.ly link? That way no one is confused about what to do, and people without phones can access your slides on their computer or at home.
Hopkinsdavid:
Excellent idea and I would say pretty cetain to work (providing the audience knows what to do, has an app ready to scan the code, and the link directs to the mobile-version of the slideshare).
Todd responded to Jenny and Doug about the url:
Re: bit.ly link (or in this case goo.gl link). Yes, that makes sense for people carrying a 3G (no wifi in the venue either) enabled notebook. That can be printed right under the QRcode on pieces of paper passed around. However, I have seen a lot of people struggle to type in those short links.
Doug’s response:
That’s true, you might want to consider using a customer URL that isn’t case sensitive such as: http://tiny.cc/thispost
I have been following the use of QR codes for some time and was interested to read Todd’s post and the comments it generated. Adoption of QR codes does need helpful ‘How To’ posts.
In passing I wondered if for small venues and small groups some of the small lightweight portable projectors might be of use. I have been thinking about this for my meetings with coaches and athletes in impromptu settings when a teachable moment arises.
The technical specification for the 3M MP180 LED reports that:

  • It has wifi, bluetooth, powerpoint/pdf/ MS office viewers, 2 hour battery and a state-of-the-art touchscreen interface.
  • ‘No cables. No connections. Just freedom to present on the go’.
  • It includes a 3M Apple Cable (ipod, iphone, ipad) to connect to, and project from, these devices.
  • It offers 32 lumens of brightness, an 80″ (approx) screen size, 4gb onboard memory and SD card slot.
  • This projector has a 2 hour battery life which maintains the full brightness throughout.

This post’s QR Code is:

4 COMMENTS

  1. That’s brilliant. I know you have been interested in QR Codes for some time but I have been struggling to think of practical uses which couldn’t just use a url. Thanks.

    • I am delighted you found this interesting, Alexis. I have been thinking about the issues you raise too.
      I have been thinking about “point and shoot” simplicity!
      Keith

  2. Between this, a non-touch connectivity, the quality of the touch-based UIs being developed (mobile devices and also the Lion OSX Spaces and trackpad combination), and possibilities started by the Kinect system (gesture based interaction), the way we inter-relate with technology is moving in a very interesting direction.

Leave a Reply to James Neill Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here