Definitely some differences. To ping codowns or when an enemy uses summoners just hold ALT and click the ability or CD or whatever. It also works with health and monster timers as well. Very effective for letting your team know the next drake is coming up in 30 seconds or so.
Pantheon jungle is still viable, especially depending on the ELO. The lower you are, the more viable everything is.
The wards are fairly simple. The regular yellow trinket wards last have a long CD but stack 2 charges. I think they last like a minute once placed and turn invisible after a couple of seconds. Sightstones have 3 charges and auto-refill when you base. They also last longer, I think 180 seconds. They also are invisible. Far sight trinket (blue ward is available at level 9) can be set from a much greater distance but it has a smaller vision radius, is not invisible, only takes one hit to kill, and only stacks a single charge. The sweeper trinket thing can be cast on an area and it will reveal any invisible wards, traps, enemies in that area for like 10 seconds. The oracle alteration (available at level 9) functions the same way, but it follows you so you can sweep a larger area. Control wards basically replaced the pink wards. They have 4 health and are visible to everyone but will reveal any hidden wards or traps in the area.
The jungle is different, but not overwhelmingly so. Kris's take forever to break apart, raptors kill people, wolves and gromp are easy to kill.
Hopefully that helps answer some of your questions. Let me know if you have any other questions.