The Secret to Great Presentations: Free Tool Zoomit

In this video, Mitchell Pearson from Pragmatic Works introduces the powerful tool ZoomIt, a free screen annotation tool that is widely used for drawing on the screen, zooming in during presentations, and even adding break timers. Mitchell shares his extensive experience with ZoomIt, having used it for over 11 years in both in-person and virtual settings. He demonstrates its key features and explains how it enhances presentations, particularly in technical environments.

Why Use ZoomIt?

ZoomIt is a highly versatile tool that allows presenters to emphasize important points on the screen. Its zoom and annotation features make it ideal for technical presentations, whether you're teaching in a classroom or delivering a virtual session. Some key reasons to use ZoomIt include:

• It’s free: Anyone can download and use ZoomIt at no cost.
• It’s easy to use: ZoomIt is user-friendly, with simple shortcuts that allow for quick zooming, drawing, and adding timers.
• It's versatile: ZoomIt works in various scenarios, from live coding sessions to break timers during meetings or presentations.

Key Features of ZoomIt

Mitchell highlights several key features that make ZoomIt an essential tool for presenters:

1. Zoom In (Control + 1): This is the basic zoom function, which allows users to zoom in on any part of the screen for a clearer view.
2. Drawing on the Screen (Control + 2): ZoomIt lets you draw directly on the screen to highlight important points. You can draw rectangles, arrows, or lines and even change the colors of your annotations with simple shortcuts (e.g., Control + B for blue).
3. Break Timer (Control + 3): A popular feature in ZoomIt, the break timer allows you to set a countdown timer on the screen, useful for scheduled breaks during a presentation. You can customize the timer and add background images for a more personalized touch.
4. Live Zoom (Control + 4): This feature is ideal for live demonstrations or coding sessions. Live Zoom allows you to zoom in and still interact with the screen, making it perfect for teaching coding, showing syntax, and explaining detailed elements while keeping the screen zoomed in.

Advanced Features and Customization

Mitchell briefly touches on some of the advanced features of ZoomIt, such as customizing the break timer background and adjusting settings for different zoom levels. He encourages users to explore these options to personalize their ZoomIt experience further.

Conclusion

ZoomIt is a must-have tool for anyone delivering technical presentations, especially in virtual settings. Its zoom, annotation, and timer features help keep audiences engaged and focused, making it easier to deliver clear, impactful presentations. Mitchell recommends that anyone involved in training or technical presentations should try ZoomIt, as it’s simple to use and can dramatically improve the clarity of your sessions.

Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on other topics like this and other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.