Using Prezi for learning

Prezi is a cloud based presentation software that allows you to zoom and navigate to text, objects and YouTube clips on a canvas.



 I've started using it as a learning tool. Here's why:

• It's pretty intuitive and the tutorials are very good.
• There are a number of advantages associated with cloud storage, including ease of access, collaboration and sharing.
• As a Geographer, the ability to explore an issue or topic spatially and at different scales is very appealing.
• A good prezi needs planning; this encourages students to think about the context of the content they wish to convey.
• When done properly, creating a prezi is a creative process. They can be visually stunning and a real hook for students.
• The prezi viewer for the  Ipad is a great app.
• You can breathe new life into Powerpoint presentations by importing slides into a Prezi.

Here are some of my thoughts on using prezi:

Thinking Skills

1. It is possible for students to create a multimedia mind map of a subject.

2. A prezi could be created to incorporate multimedia clues to a thinking skills mystery activity, in much the same way as I did with Photosynth (I describe this in a previous post). For example, I'm thinking of creating a prezi 'suspect wall' full of information to help students solve the mystery of who killed an environmental activist.



3. Students could make an editable copy of a prezi produced by the teacher which is full of information, pictures etc of a topic. They could then sort and group the information, make connections and re-size according to importance. They would then be able to present their findings to the rest of the class.

4. Students could be asked to follow a presentation path for a prezi that has been produced by the teacher. They could give a commentary on what they see and understand. This could be recorded using Audacity (audio only) or screencasting software.


Collaboration

5. As  prezis are stored in the cloud, it is possible for students to collaborate- for example, individuals could be given responsibility for a particular continent on an outline map of the World. They would then populate their continent with relevant material. The prezi brings their individual research together and the geographical context is clear.  The ability to edit and create prezis with others in real time is a real plus; there's nothing stopping teachers and students on different continents working together on a presentation. It could also be a good platform for transition work between Primary and Secondary schools

Revision 

6. The 'understanding a topic template' provides an ideal framework for revising a topic or unit of work. The ability to incorporate YouTube clips means that it is possible to incorporate screencasts (see my previous post). Making a prezi public means that everyone can have access to it.



We're having fun with Prezi, but be warned, a path that jumps too much from one end of the canvas to the other can make you seasick!