Media Integration, Software, and Apps - A Guide to Prezi

Integrating Learning 

It is important that educators start integrating more advanced ICT pedagogies in classroom to allow students to create more effective presentations of learning. For example, teachers need to include mediums such as Powtoon, Glogster, Visme, Interactive Digital Maps and other programs to enhance learning for students. In my previous blog on Digital Media I covered why digital media is important and how images can be used in the classroom to enhance student learning. I looked at concept mapping and how it can be useful in the classroom when the teacher or students need to present information and ideas about a concept. On my blog about Web Spaces, I explored Google's Blogger and how it can be used in the classroom to engage learners in using their own blogs. This week we are going to look at how students can present information to the classroom using presentations of learning. For this example I have looked at the program Prezi. All of these mediums allow for high-order thinking, cater for the Generation Z, and therefore improve student engagement. 

Prezi

Prezi is a program where you can design, present, create, and share your presentations, videos, posters, and designs with the world. It is suitable for students, teachers and businesses. Once you have made your own account you have the choice to choose your own template to make your personalised presentation. 

When you press 'start from template', a range of wonderful templates will come up for you to choose from. 

Once you choose a template that you want to follow, you will be forwarded to the editing screen where you get to create your presentation. 

Along the left side of the page you are provided with a number of option of cool things you can add to your presentation such as images, videos, graphs, charts, maps, elements, and shapes. This allows for creativity while presenting your message to the desired audience. 

The column on your right allows you to edit your text (font, colour, size, width, alignment, etc.) and add cool animations and transitions. 

Once you are happy with what you have created you can share your work with other people. When you press share, Prezi will provide you with a link of your presentation. You can share it with anyone on the web or choose the people you want to share it with. For example, as a teacher you could choose to share the presentation with your students. You can access my mini presentation here. 

                                       

You could also download your presentation and save it as a PNG, JPG, PDF, or MP4 file. 

Prezi also allows you to work with other people. This would be useful in a classroom setting as students could work in groups when they need to do a group presentation. Prezi makes it easy to do that. All you need is the email of the person you want to work with. 

SAMR Model & Prezi 

As discussed in my previous blogs, the SAMR model is a great way to show how ICT can be used in the classroom in a progressive level. Below is an example of how the model can be used in a Psychology class.

Legal, Safe, and Ethical Protocols

As discussed in my previous blogs, using legal, safe and ethical protocols is essential when working with ICT pedagogies such as Prezi. According to ACARA learners need to:

1. Recognize intellectual property

2. Apply digital information security practices

3. Apply personal security protocols

4. Identify the impacts of ICT in society

As an educator it is my job to make sure that all students are aware of these protocols. In class I need to go through the four criteria mentioned above to make sure that when students are creating their work using Prezi for example, they know that they are following the protocols. The following video by Common Sense Education, provides the ethical guidelines when using other people's work:

Creativity, Copyright, and Fair Use 

Students need to be aware of copyright laws and the appropriate ways to use other people's work responsible with fair use. 

References

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2015). Learning Continuum Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability. https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/information-and-communication-technology-ict-capability/learning-continuum/ element=Applying+social+and+ethical+protocols+and+practices+when+using+ICT&page=2 

Common Sense Education. (5 September 2020). Creativity, copyright and fair use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvZHNwBHirQ 

Prezi. (2021). Present over video and keep the human connection when you're working or learning from home. prezi.com 

Nikoloudi, R. (April 10, 2021). Media integration, software, and apps. https://prezi.com/i/qcwkm2fgtwbo/