Prezi: Zooming Presentations

Posted by nhfledtech on January 18, 2012 · Leave a Comment 

WHAT IS PREZI?

Prezi is a new, exciting way to present information to students. It allows the user to enter text, pictures, and even video (directly embedded from YouTube, or a link) and then create a presentation that zooms and pans out effortlessly. Since it is created and stored online, it allows the presenter to open the presentation from any computer that has internet access. In situations where there is no internet access, presentations can be downloaded without the additional installation of software. By using the grouping, frames, and canvas features, presentations become a non-linear visual map. Presenters use a path feature to organize the order of the presentation. This is an innovative presentation tool that teachers can use to engage students, and students can use Prezi for classroom presentations.

HOW WAS PREZI RATED?
For information about rating scales, click here. 

Resource Overall
Student Response
Repeatability
Ease of Use
Set-Up Time
Tech Skills

WHO REVIEWED PREZI?

Catherine Del Valle Lucasville, Ohio My students used this in their Spanish class to present information about Spain’s history. Groups were assigned a time frame in the history of Spain on which to present. Each student worked on a collaborative Prezi from his own computer to produce one presentation. They were able to see each other’s work as they progressed. Students liked the zooming in and out of information. They found that it wasn’t boring like PowerPoint, and it was easy to learn. Uploading video and pictures quickly was also cited as a plus. Additionally, students liked working together on it from their own computers and found it fun.

Dr. Walter Paul Belle Mead, NJ Prezi is used to make presentations, much like PowerPoint, but with greater capabilities. Especially convenient is the fact that you can embed and zoom in on PDF files. There is also a large collection of existing Prezi presentations that can be adapted for classroom use.

TIPS FOR CLASSROOM IMPLEMENTATION:

• Check out the Explore link to get a good idea of what can be done. Some of the presentations in Explore are made shareable, which means you can grab a copy for yourself and edit it.
• Prezi has zoom and spin features that initially have a “wow” factor if you haven’t seen them before, BUT avoid over using these, as it can distract from the presentation.
• Prezi makes it easy to embed PDF files and to zoom in on subsections of a page.
• Presentations are exportable in both PC and Mac compatible formats so that no internet connection is needed unless that presentation itself has embedded internet links (like a link to YouTube video).
• An individual can use it alone or a small group (2-3) of students can use it together.
• Since it is web-based, students can work on it from home as well.

About these ads

Filed under 6-8, 9-12, Early Childhood, English, Fine Arts, Higher Ed, K-5, Math, Science, Social Studies · Tagged with education, presentation, slideshow, technology, zoom