Microsoft Sway Training Module 1

EFFECTIVE
TEACHING &
LEARNING
EXERIENCE

THROUGH
MICROSOFT SWAY

KAVINESH A/L VADIVELLU
ASSOCIATE PROF. DR. RAFIZA BINTI ABDUL RAZAK

EXPERIENCE EFFECTIVE TEACHING &
LEARNING THROUGH MICROSOFT SWAY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1: INTRODUCTION………..………………….......4-9
1.1) The History on the Evolution of Presentation Tools…. ……4
1.2) Microsoft Sway…………………………………………...5
1.3) The New Way of Materializing ideas into

Virtual Presentation……………………………………..6-8
1.2) Objectives & Learning Outcomes………………….............9

PART 2: QUIRKS AND FEATURES IN
MICROSOFT SWAY…………………...……11-17

2.1) Benefit of Power Point……………………………...........11
2.2) Sway vs Power Point, What's the

difference?…………………………………..............12-15
2.3) Accessibility and Platform for Microsoft Sway……..........16
2.4) Overview on the Features in Sway……….….………….17

PART 3: MICROSOFT SWAY: GETTING STARTED…....19-23
3.1) Sign Up or Sign in for……………………………...........19
3.2) Start Sway with [Create New] Icon……………………..19
3.3) Create Your Own Sway Presentation………………20-22

REFERENCES……………………………………….................23

Microsoft Sway History on the Evolution of
Presentation Tools
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
INFORGRAPHIC What is
Microsoft
New Way of Materializing &
Sharing ideas into Virtual Sway?
Presentation

Learning Objectives
Learning Outcome

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1) THE HISTORY ON THE EVOLUTION OF
PRESENTATION TOOLS

Ever since humans have inhabited this planet, emphasis to convey
and present the information to one person to another person has been
pretty much vital aspect for survival in the form of images or even verbal.
As matter of fact, presentation has became part of humans life taking
the center stage in spreading information as the process of
communication has been evolving together all the way. Even though, we
are keep progressing to keep improving our presentation skills using the
top-notch technology and application based presentation tools, if it
wasn’t for the groundbreaking presentation tools that being utilized in
the past, we would not be having the privilege to utilize current and
digitalized presentation tools today.

Image 1:
Timeline on
The Evolution

of
Presentation

Tools Tools

1.2) MICROSOFT SWAY

Microsoft Sway is a presentation program that being developed by
Microsoft as a new attempt to offer a lightweight, cloud-computing and
digital story-telling that is easier to use rather than PowerPoint and offers
more narrative devices than simply slide after slide of bullet points. As
‘the new way of materializing ideas into Virtual presentation’, Microsoft
Sway offers the new approach of expressing your ideas by integrating
images, video, and text into online presentations which can be accessed
throughout smart devices such as Laptop, Smartphone and Tablet.

Besides that, ever since Microsoft Sway have been introduced back in
August 2015, it’s been receiving quite an amount of appraisal from people
especially those from the business world as well as the educators and
teachers whereby the contents being created is called as ‘Sways’ that can
be done via online and will be saved automatically with the aid of internet
connectivity. Moreover, before the introduction of Sway, Microsoft
attempted by offering online web page editing applications such as
FrontPage. However, the application was complicated and required
tedious ways to perform editing on the web page. With Microsoft Sway
can be said the best possible solution for easy and spontaneous working
creating and editing documents in the form of digital storytelling which
results in splendid work of art without acquiring design or technical
knowledge.

Moreover, as an educator, it would be a step forward towards
emphasizing 21st Century Learning Design to fellow students to
experience more fun and effective learning experience as well. This due
to unlike PowerPoint, documents or presentations created in Sway
automatically stored in the cloud as well as can be shared and embedded
in websites among multiple users. To get the most out of Sway,
understanding the key quirks and features in the Sway by integrating
using videos, texts and images, students would just be able to configure
each functions properly but also at the same time, they are also evolving
themselves to be the 21st Century Design learners as well.

‘The purpose of this E-Book is to provide the fundamental
knowledge and skills to become the Microsoft Sway Expert
and elevate to be the 21ST Century Learner as well’.

1.3) THE NEW WAY OF MATERIALIZING & SHARING
IDEAS INTO VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

It is indeed that the functions and features that available in Sway is not as
much as in the PowerPoint, nonetheless, the quirks and features in Sway is
user-friendly and only necessary features are available which makes the
application less complicated to conduct teaching and learning with much
more fun-filled and animated presentation during the classroom activity.

Due to the current CoVid-19 Pandemic situation which required to
conduct teaching and learning via online classroom, it is pretty much vital to
keep students at the edge of their seats during the lesson with fun and
interesting presentation and yet delivering the topics to them precise and
accurate. This is why Microsoft Sway is the fastest growing educational
application in Microsoft history for good reason. As teachers and students
across the world started having online classes in record numbers starting in
March 2020, Microsoft Sway became essential tool whereby a new culture
of collaboration is developing across organizations, as remote teaching and
learning process becomes predominant and the older, disjointed and
inefficient tools of yesteryear are replaced by modern tools for modern
day teaching and learning experience.

In addition to that, the advice given is to improve the students’
independence, the teachers’ innovation and creativity in today’s learning
variation and the school support for supporting facilities as stated by
(Carolina, 2012). According to Rusman (2010), thematic learning using
Sway is one of the models in the integrated learning, which is a learning
system that allows the students, both individual and active groups, to
explore and find the concept and scientific principles holistically,
meaningfully and authentically.

Audio recording
Furthermore, Brooks & Brooks believe that a cultural based approach
can provide the students the opportunity to create the meaning and to
achieve a unified understanding of the scientific information they acquire,
and also the application of such scientific information in the context of
cultural community’s problems (Sutarno, 2004). Advances in technology and
information today requireThe educators, teachers and lecturers to be able
to familiarize in order to elevate themselves from good teachers to great
teachers.

On the other hand, Microsoft ft Sway do have

upper hand in producing engaging online presentations, newsletters and

team updates. It is almost no wonder Sway has taken the world by storm.

The web-based Presentation application for the educational institutions

delivers a unifying approach for modern teaching and learning experience

across Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), with a familiar over the top

design to some of the best and easy-to-use quirks and features as part of

provisioning the digital transformation agenda in realizing to become the

21st Century Learning community. The quirks and features of Sway are

designed to be easily customized within the application and will be stores in

the cloud storage such as OneDrive. The following is a brief overview of

those quirks and features and how they are organized and how they can be

tailored according to the preferences.

Inserting medias and files into the presentation.

1.4) OBJECTIVES & LEARNING OUTCOMES

a) Objectives
 To introduce to participants with Microsoft Sway along with its’ quirks and

features as well as functionality.
 To comprehend to produce Sway Presentation by following instructions one

step at a time.
b) Learning Outcomes
 After going through this E-book, participants are able:
 To comprehend on utilizing Microsoft Sway as great alternative for

Microsoft Power point.
 To understand the fundamentals of Sway and important features that is a

must-know for them in order to create a storyline as well as designing own
version of Sway.

Final Outcome of Content in Sway Presentation

Benefits of Sway

Sway VS PowerPoint-
What’s the difference?

PART 2: QUIRKS AND FEATURES IN
SWAY INFORGRAPHIC

Accessibility & Platform for
Sway

Overview of
Features in Sway

EasyPART 2: QUIRKS & FEATURES IN MICROSOFT Efficient tool
InformationSWAY for

sharing2.1) BENEFITS OF SWAY communication

 PowerPoint is a big, heavy, corporate tool with a matching reputation.
 Sway is a lightweight, cloud-only, story-telling application that is easier

to use than PowerPoint.
 Easily customized and even easier to use.
 Simple to create effective communications tools.
 Ease of sharing information
 Efficient and effective collaboration
 No more ‘Aargh I’ve lost all my work!’ flashes.
 It includes Analytics if have Office 365

Easy
customization

Cloud
storage

2.2) SWAY

VS
PowerPoint

What’s the difference?

a) Creating Content

I Layouts
Sway

Sway offers three different layout Can customize the
options for how the content is your content with 3
presented: vertical (like scrolling
through a webpage), horizontal layouts
(continuous scroll sideways), and
Slideshow (similar to PowerPoint).
You can switch between layouts in
the “Design” tab as well.

PowerPoint

PowerPoint presentations can only be created in slideshow format. However,
some features and effects can be used to make a presentation seem continuous.
For example, you can add transitions and timers to run through presentations
automatically.

ii Templates
Sway

Sway offers limited templates. It can be checked out the My Sways page to
explore more on the variation of templates available. Moreover, the final
outcomes can also save an entire Sway presentation as a template as well.

PowerPoint

PowerPoint have thousands of templates which simplify and speed up your
work. In addition, you are able to a single style to your future presentation at
once. So, they have the exact colors and font sets in advance whereby it is
being created by professionals.

iii Designing a Presentation
Sway

When using Sway, you will acknowledge that it is attentive a lot on visual
illustrations of what you are trying to get across. It can be said that the best way
to do that is to have good quality pictures and images. In addition, inserting
images is easy as well as uploading all type of files and documents.

PowerPoint

As in the PowerPoint, the content Fun
of the presentation can be Facts
added manually. PowerPoint
can be utilized to add various The design can be
types of content to make the edited and changed
presentation visually interactive based on own
by inserting images, charts and preferences on each
graphs, audio and video files, and every slide
as well as import files and even being created.
3D objects can be inserted to
the slides. To make it as realistic
as possible.

iv Sharing & Collaboration
Sway

In Microsoft Sway, there are several techniques to share it with colleagues and
friends just by clicking the "Share" button and get a direct link to the presentation.
Moreover, the link with a unique URL (www.sway.com/...) is easy to send by email
or through social networks whereby Sway is being integrated with Twitter and
Facebook. Since Sway is a web-based presentation with the "Share" menu, access
will be given to partners access to collaborate on the Sway slide in which you can
can control those who access your presentation using any devices.

i. PowerPoint

Sharing can be done via email or links collaboration with multiple users
if and only if have an Office 365 at the same time can happen.
subscription. With an Office 365 license, However, Before sending off,
the content should be locked it
if the recipient not wish not to
edit it followed by Save it as a
PDF, or send or upload to a site
where it can be shared.

2.3 ACCESSIBILITY & PLATFORM FOR SWAY

Since Microsoft Sway is a web-based application, prefabbing designs are
that they make the presentation looks more responsive and easily reached. It can
be said that even if presentation in the form of digital storytelling with continuous
and cohesive layout to be created on a desktop, it’ll scale to be viewable on a
mobile device or tablet. Now, with just a having a Microsoft account which is free
sign-up, You as digital user have the privilege to share one’s thought and
creativity into digital storytelling presentation across any digital smart devices.
The following are the Platforms that can be utilized to access Sway:

Moment
of Facts

 Whenever accessing Sway using web
‘www.Sway.office.com/’, the action can be done using PC,
laptop, tablet and Android smartphones as well which is
entire FREE!!! just by activating a Microsoft account.

 When using Windows 10 which can be acquired through
Windows Store.

 Sway is exclusively available for iPhone and iPad both in
portrait and landscape view mode.

2.4 OVERVIEW ON THE FEATURES IN SWAY Get a sneak
peek about
Redirecting to creating Sway
Sway Homepage
Explore more on
Home button of Begin to do from other options
Microsoft Office blank document

web app

Begin to Outline to be created Begin to create presentation
create from a by Sway upon start by by importing from
blank Sway
providing a topic PowerPoint, Word or PDF

Sway viewed the Sway Presentation
moment signed in that being sent to

recycle bin

Details of Sway that
being shared

Sway created &
edited recently

Sign up or Sign in to Start
Creating Sway

Create
my own
Sway

PART 3: Microsoft Sway: Getting
Started

Start Sway with
[Create New] Icon

Create Your Own Sway
Presentation

PART 3: MICROSOFT SWAY: GETTING
STARTED

3.1 SIGN UP OR SIGN IN TO START CREATING (MICROSOFT
OFFICE 2016)

Kindly visit portal.office.com to get started with Sway in any type of browser
followed by click ‘Sign in’ icon located on the top right corner by key in full email id
and password.

Create or Login to
start

When directed, enter your email address that intended to use that was originated
from Microsoft Account that comprises Hotmail and Outlook.com. In addition, if Sway
is required for work or education purpose, you can enter your school or organization’s
email address to have the full experience on virtual presentation. However, in case
there is neither of these options are available, you always can visit
www.microsoft.com/account to ‘sign up’ with zero charges as well.

3.2 START SWAY WITH (CREATE NEW) ICON

On the home page of Sway, begin your to create your own Sway just by clicking
(Create New).

3.3 CREATE YOUR OWN SWAY PRESENTATION

Start By Knowing Sway Storyline

The Storyline is the place where typing, inserting, editing, as well as formatting the
content that tells the story takes the center stage. Moreover, the content is organized
in sequential order through addition of cards, whereby each of which holds the type
of content that desired such as text, images, videos, and even office documents. The
order of cards can be rearranged at any time to suit the needs.
Naming the Title

Click the ‘Title your Sway’ placeholder text shown in the first card on the Storyline
above and then type meaningful description about your Sway presentation will be
focusing on which story. After that, the moment the finished Sway product is about to
be shared, this title will be the first thing that will appear for every person that are
viewing the Sway presentation..

Include Text and Images to Sway Storyline

In order to include to your Sway like text, images, or videos, click or tap the ‘+’ icon
at the bottom of the existing card. Then, drag and drop text and images right onto
own Storyline can be done immediately.
Image based on Suggestion Searches

The image got by searching the suggestion box can be added as an additional
content to Sway presentation, such as an image that is stored on computer or mobile
device. Sway can also search the Web for the most relevant content, such as videos,
and add it to presentation as well. On the menu bar, click ‘Insert’, select the preferred
content source from the menu, and then enter any search keyword or phrase into the
‘Search sources’ box.

Preview Sway Presentation Design

The Sway presentation progress can be previewed at anytime by clicking the Design
tab. When previewing own Sway, it can be seen that how it will appear to others
when decided to share it. To fully experience the Sway presentation, click the ‘Play’
button on the top menu bar. To return to the Storyline when done previewing, click the
‘Storyline’ tab.

Customize Design Styles of Sway 2
1 3

To pick a style to make the Sway looks visually pleasant, click ‘Design’ on the menu
bar, and then select Styles. Then, to choose a random look and mood at any time,
click the ‘Remix!’ button until suitable design and layout is found. Specific part of the
currently applied style also can be adjusted, such as color, font, and textures, by
clicking the ‘Customize’ button in the Styles pane.

REFERENCES

1. Leitner, S. (2015, June 25). Powerpoint vs. Sway: What’s the

difference? Blog.Goptg.Com.

https://blog.goptg.com/blog/2015/06/25/sway-vs-

powerpoint

2. N. (2020, April 22). Sway vs PowerPoint: Which Presentation

Software Will You Choose Next? MonsterPost.

https://www.templatemonster.com/blog/sway-vs-powerpoint/

3. Office Sway | CaTS | Information Technology | Wright State

University. (2017). Www.Wright.Edu.

https://www.wright.edu/information-

technology/services/office-sway

4. Wihartanti, L. V. (2017, June 1). Development of e-Learning

Microsoft Sway as Innovation of Local Culture-Based Learning

Media | Wihartanti | Dinamika Pendidikan.

Journal.Unnes.Ac.Id.

https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/DP/article/view/10

582/6607

5. Woodgate, R. (2019, February 5). What is Microsoft Sway,

and What Can I Do with It? How-To Geek.

https://www.howtogeek.com/404119/what-is-microsoft-

sway/