Smilebox: Sample and SWOT Analysis

Smilebox is an online tool that allows users to create multimedia slideshow presentations. The slides can include photos and videos. Users can also attach music to set the tone of the presentation.



The benefits of this tool lie in its capabilities to present pictures. Smilebox would be a great tool for students to use for presenting very visually centered presentations. For example, if students had to create diagrams or drawings to demonstrate their understanding of the parts of a plant, they could photograph their work and compile it in Smilebox. Then, they could share their Smilebox presentation with the class and present all of the pictures with short descriptions underneath. This tool could be utilized to provide visual aids during a lesson to provide variety of representation, thus increasing engagement for students learn best visually or are English-learning.

This tool would not work well for presentations that are text heavy due to its focus on showcasing photos. This tool also does not allow for users to collaborate on their Smilebox presentations, so it would not work for any kind of pairs or group presentation assignment. The tool does not provide very many presentation templates for free, so students would be limited in creating their Smilebox presentations. If Smilebox were to be used in a classroom, it would have to be accompanied by other tools in order to provide students with a variety of options to display their learning. Alone, it does not do enough to fulfill all three UDL requirements.


SWOT Analysis of Smilebox:
  • Strengths: This tool places an emphasis on images and could be useful in a highly visual presentation made by both teachers and students. Students who learn visually could benefit from the use of this tool by viewing pictures, important images, or tables to accompany spoken instruction. 
  • Weaknesses: Smilebox provides few options for displaying text. The formats available on the free subscription are limited in their creative capabilities. There are no real collaborative elements to this tool.
  • Opportunities:  Using this tool, students can showcase images they create in a compilation. The presentations can be shared via email or accessed by link. The multimedia nature of the tool provides students with the opportunity to practice producing complex presentations online that include audio and special effect elements.
  • Threats:   Using this tool, students have to work in a very inflexible format. With a focus on images, students may be constricted in including text. Students also do not get the opportunity to collaborate while using this tool, which can negatively affect engagement. 

I tested out Smilebox by creating a short, sample presentation about North American animals using the tool, which you can view at the link below!

https://plus.smilebox.com/play?g=bdd67060-5c3a-40b3-a6c4-1b91f53ee37c

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