Prezi

The resource for today is called Prezi.

What is Prezi?

Prezi is an online virtual whiteboard where presentations are turned into cloud format. According to the website, "Prezi creates a visual storyboard format, with flow and narrative being intertwined with text." Prezi also has a feature where you are in a "meeting" of some sorts. This meeting allows up to 10 people to view and edit the same presentation at a time, allowing for collaboration on the production at hand. 

Is it free?

Prezi is free for anyone. There are other options, though, that come with different features. For example, the FREE version of Prezi makes your presentations all public, allows for 100MB of storage space for your Prezis, and the core features of sharing and editing. For $59.00 a year, you can go up to the Enjoy option. This option features private presentations (choose who to share with), you can use your own logo rather than the Prezi logo, premium support (receive help in less than a day), and 500MB of storage space for your Prezis. Finally, you can choose the Pro option. For $159.00 a year, you receive the same as Enjoy BUT you also have the ability to work offline securely and get 2GB of storage space for your Prezis.
Public = FREE
Enjoy = $59.00/year
Pro = $159.00/year
Beyond these, there's also educational promotional pricing. You receive the ENJOY license for free rather than $59.00/year OR the PRO license for $59.00/year rather than $159.00/year.
To start out with any of the above mentioned plans that are for cost, you may have a 30 day free trial to test it out. Otherwise, you will be billed yearly.

What will Prezi bring to your classroom?

This product can prove to be beneficial in all different grades throughout the education system. From using it in the Kindergarten classroom to create a presentation to tell others of your interests to using it in 4th Grade classrooms to tell about a famous American inventor to a college student creating a presentation on another Web 2.0 tool and how to use it. This tool brings an easier way to create "PowerPoint type presentations," visual aids, and slideshows in the classroom environment without having to hassle with the transitions between slides, giving your presentation a more fluid look with fun interactions. 

How do I use Prezi?

Below, I will show you the steps of using Prezi.

This is the main page when you log on to Prezi. As you can see, I have two Prezi presentations. The Storybird Prezi will be at the bottom for an example.

You will also be choosing a theme when you hit NEW presentation. This is where the planning comes into play. Find a style that best fits your presentation. If it's a walk through, you might choose something that has a solidified path. If it's a crowning type presentation, choose something that goes up like a crown.

This is the main page of a new presentation. Each one has a specific placement for the items you will add. For example, there's a space for a title, subtitle, and places for the information. In this presentation, there are 5 places for information to be input.

I inputted all my information for the presentation. As you can see, I have text and images, but I could have added videos and so forth. The addition of features is relatively simple, just double click and type, add pictures, videos, and so forth.

Should you want to change anything, you can also insert shapes, images, PowerPoint slides, YouTube videos, files, and other flow charts. You can also choose your frame for each object in the presentation. Finally, you can change your theme for the presentation based upon the different looks that have been popular around the Prezi world.

   

Here is an example Prezi presentation:

Storybird by Christina & Sara (The Story Birds) on Prezi

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How can I use Prezi in my classroom?

Below is a list of ways that this tool can be utilized in the classroom:

-Show rules of classroom
-Use for mind mapping with groups
-Present a timeline through the transitions
-Create a family tree using the tree template
-Create Prezi presentations on famous explorers
-Use for graphic organizers about topics in the class
-Use in scientific method discussions and presentations
-Presentation on the different countries around the world
-Create a presentation to introduce yourself to the classroom
-Use to tell and create stories in the early childhood classrooms
-Create advertisements for a book, character, or famous person (persuasion)
-Create a presentation about a science project showcasing the scientific process
-Use for vocabulary lessons with the word, a picture of the word, and the definition
-Create a webquest using Prezi presentations about topics across a variety of academic areas
-Create Venn Diagrams for the classroom when comparing two different books about the same topic

Honestly, the possibilities are ENDLESS.

How would YOU use Prezi in your classroom? Answer in the comments on this post!