In the digital era, capturing students’ attention and keeping them engaged is becoming increasingly difficult. Traditional methods of presenting lesson content are often no longer sufficient. The answer to this challenge is interactive presentation that allows them to actively participate and engage with the teachers, rather than just passively viewing it.

If you intend to introduce active methods in e-learning practice and adapt to the individual needs of students, an interactive PDF presentation is the perfect solution as an attachment to the message.

What form of presentation should you choose? Key technical issues

We most often create multimedia presentations in programs such as PowerPoint, Google Slides or Keynote. However, it should be noted that this form of animated presentation is not suitable for sending as an email attachment.

  1. First of all, the presentation file (.pptx) is quite large. Some mail servers may reject messages containing large attachments.
  2. Not all recipients may have the appropriate software to reproduce such a presentation. Moreover, even if they have a program installed, e.g. PowerPoint, we are not sure whether it is the latest, current version and some of the animations we have prepared may simply not run.
  3. Thirdly, the .pptx file is an open file in which anyone viewing it can make changes and modifications, which is something we would prefer to avoid.
  4. Moreover, some people do not want to watch animations, they just want to get to know the topic quickly and in an accessible way.

Bearing the above in mind, after designing a presentation, e.g. in PowerPoint, we should export it to a static PDF file.

This PDF file is:

  • Optimized and compressed to small sizes
  • Treated by mail servers as relatively safe
  • Commonly known and used on most computers
  • Easier and faster to use
  • Ready to print

Gifs, interactive infographics, hyperlinks and videos

Reading an article can be a bit monotonous, so a moving element can liven up the user a bit and motivate them to read the rest of the content. This latter goal also applies to animated illustrations and interactive infographics. The first element can be accessed by hovering the cursor or scrolling the page.

Gifs can catch users’ attention as they scroll through a page – like your blog post. These visual elements are intended to make the viewer laugh or wonder and show a more laid-back side of the teaching materials.

New illustration elements appear as the learner scrolls down, keeping them interested and engaged throughout the lesson. Interactive infographics also increase engagement. They can include interactive maps and data visualizations and encourage readers to click on various elements.

Create interactive PDFs with a PDF program

By default, you can embed a video in your PDF presentation or use it in the background, thanks to a ready-made solution in the SwifDoo PDF program- a dedicated PDF creator program.

There is also a built-in feature in SwifDoo PDF that allows users to find font in a PDF.

The benefits of interactive PDF presentation for e-learning

Interactive PDF presentation and active methods support student engagement, develop creativity, take into account student diversity, increase engagement, prepare for social and professional life, and promote deeper understanding and remembering the material.

This approach to education and pedagogy allows for the creation of an inspiring and effective learning space where students become active, independent-thinking and creative participants in the educational process.

Interactive PDF presentation has a positive impact on students’ personal, intellectual and social development. The most important benefits of this practice include:

  1. Developing creativity and problem-solving skills: Interactive presentations encourage students to think creatively and take innovative actions. Through engaging projects, tasks and educational games, students have the opportunity to explore different perspectives, solve problems and use their imagination. This, in turn, helps develop their problem-solving skills, which is extremely useful both at school and in everyday life.
  2. Empowering students’ participation in the e-learning process: interactive PDF presentation engages students as active participants in the learning process. Thanks to this, they feel more responsible for acquiring knowledge and become more engaged in learning. Strengthening students’ activity contributes to increasing motivation and willingness to learn. When students are active participants in classes, they become more motivated and focused on acquiring knowledge.
  3. Supporting self-assessment and development: Interactive PDF presentation puts students in a position to make decisions and take action. Thanks to this, they gain confidence in taking on challenges and develop self-assessment skills. The self-assessment process becomes an important element because students can see what successes they are achieving and also learn in what areas they can further improve. This supports personal development and experiential learning.

It is worth emphasizing that increasing student involvement in the learning process is a key element of interactive PDF presentation. When students feel more engaged, they are more willing to participate in classes, ask questions, and share their ideas.

Thanks to this, they absorb the material better. This involvement also contributes to a positive climate in the classroom, and students perceive the learning process more positively.

What new technologies support active e-learning?

It is worth remembering that interactive PDF presentation is only a tool, and the key to success is proper planning and use of multiple tools and methods in the active learning process.

The use of technology in the teaching process supports active learning. It provides children and young people with interactive, engaging and attractive educational experiences that facilitate better acquisition of knowledge and development of skills.

Below are some examples of new technologies that have a positive impact on the active learning process:

  1. Interactive whiteboards: allow teachers to create dynamic and interactive lessons. Students can actively participate in classes by using the board to solve problems, create notes, draw diagrams or take quizzes.
  2. Mobile devices: smartphones and tablets provide access to a variety of educational applications that engage students in interactive tasks and exercises. Students can learn through games, quizzes, interactive textbooks and applications that adapt to individual needs and learning styles.
  3. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): allow students to experience educational content in a virtual or augmented environment. This may include virtual expeditions to historical sites, museum visits, interactive science simulations and much more, allowing for a more realistic understanding and acquisition of knowledge.
  4. E-learning platforms: enable teachers to create interactive courses, share learning materials and assign assignments online. Students can learn anywhere, anytime, and teachers can track students’ progress and performance.
  5. Internet of Things (IoT): IoT technology can be used in schools to create smart classrooms where various devices (e.g. smart boards, sensors, scientific equipment) can work and provide dynamic and interactive learning experiences.
  6. Coding and Programming: Teaching programming and building applications allows students to actively create, experiment, and solve problems. Thanks to this, students develop critical thinking, logical reasoning and creativity skills.
  7. Artificial Intelligence: Advanced systems based on Artificial Intelligence can analyze students’ progress, adapt the curriculum to individual needs and recommend appropriate materials and activities, which supports individualized learning.

Are interactive PDF presentations suitable for every e-learning practice?

The interactive PDF presentation can be used for most e-learning subjects. Importantly, however, their effectiveness and adaptation may vary depending on the specificity of a given subject, the level of teaching, educational goals and individual needs of students.

Some subjects, such as science, may require a more structured approach and knowledge of facts and procedures.Therefore, it is worth using both active and traditional methods, adapting them to the circumstances and needs. In order to offer each student the best forms of work that allow them to acquire knowledge and skills.