Teaching with Zooming Slideshows through Prezi

• Examine the existing curriculum to decide where the use of Prezi best fits. Prezi works well as a replacement for lessons and projects previously done with Microsoft PowerPoint.  Below are some additional ideas that could be done with Prezi:
  • Students can communicate their research findings using Prezi.
  • Using digital images of themselves, students could create autobiographies to share.
  • After writing short stories, students could illustrate the stories, scan their drawings and then create Prezi presentations to share with the class.
  • Because Prezi allows for more than one user to edit a project, this web application is great for group projects.  Students can work collaboratively and simultaneously from home or the public library.
• Some students might find Prezi difficult to navigate.  Therefore, familiarize yourself with Prezi before introducing it to students.  Create an account at Prezi and watch the tutorials.  These tutorials are available through YouTube.  If you plan on using these videos with the class, check that you have access, as many schools filter YouTube.  You might need special permission from your technology coordinator, or you might find you must download the videos outside of school to use in the classroom.
• Create a step-by-step tutorial for your students or use one such as Creating a Prezi. Additionally Cheat Sheets are available at Prezi for help.  If you cannot show tutorials, you will find the Cheat Sheets to be beneficial.  Since this is an Internet application, make students aware of these resources so that as they work outside of school on their presentations.
• Students over age 13 will be able to create accounts using their personal e-mail addresses.  Therefore, check how many have e-mail addresses.  Those who do not should sign up for accounts at a common email provider so that they can create Prezi accounts.
• For students who have used PowerPoint in previous projects and lessons, teach students to think of a Prezi as being somewhat similar.  The Learn section of Prezi includes how to Prezify Your PowerPoint Slides.  This video might be helpful for students who have worked with PowerPoint for comparison.
• Create a Prezi to share with your students.  This sample is from a research project on decades.  Share this example with the students and then model the importance of choosing good images and videos as well as writing brief descriptions.  Encourage short phrases and bulleted lists to guide the listeners, rather than writing paragraphs and sentences on their presentations.
• Develop a rubric for evaluating the assignment, such as the Decade Rubric, that includes categories such as "relevancy of graphics" and "design of the Prezi," as well as those categories typically found in an oral presentation rubric.
• As the students are working, provide support.  For example, some students may have difficulty finding good digital images for their Prezis, so provide assistance.  Others will find creating paths challenging, especially for students who want their path to “zoom” more.
• Allow time for students to evaluate a partner’s Prezi before the entire class views the creations.  The students should practice moving through their presentations, as well as practice what they will say.  Additionally, allow students time to revise after this partner evaluation.
• Allow time for students to share their presentations with the class and for students to ask questions.
• Establish a class wiki--at Wikispaces, for example--where you can link the students’ Prezi slideshows so that all in the learning community can view the students’ projects.

NOTE: Some schools filter Prezi, so speak with the technology coordinator ahead of time if special approval is needed.