Prezi Relection

According to Wikipedia, “Prezi is a cloud-based presentation software and storytelling tool for exploring and sharing ideas on a virtual canvas.  [It] is used as a platform for bridging linear and nonlinear information, and as a tool for both free-form brainstorming and structured presentation” (Wikipedia, 2012).  What a wonderful tool to engage students and to hold their attention while presenting valuable concepts!  Connections can be made within and outside content areas on the same canvas and within frames to create a whole picture.  Students are able to maneuver through this interactive, sensory-stimulating presentation to form valuable connections.  Not only can teachers create a Prezi, but students can construct one as well.  With its non-linear path, students can connect concepts and showcase their deep understanding through synthesis. 

As I was brainstorming topics for this assignment, so many ideas came to mind for which this presentation would be useful and beneficial.  For this particular Prezi, I wanted to focus on literary devices due to their importance in my course.  Not only do the students need to know the definitions, they need to be able to identify them in other stories and provide their own examples.  This Prezi allows me to present the definitions in text while providing effective examples through video, audio, and images.  These media presentations are much more engaging than traditional lectures.

Gardner states that “…projects and theme-related curricula are well-intentioned efforts to sustain or buoy the potential for making connections” (Gardner, 2007, p. 68).  Utilizing an interactive tool like Prezi in the classroom allows for meaningful connections to be made.  Again, rubrics and other evaluation tools should be in place so that students are aware of the teacher’s expectations.  Examples should be given to show successful and less than successful work, and proper feedback should be given so students can capitalize on their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses.

Providing students with tools that emphasize synthesis is critical.  “Probably the chief ‘synthesizing nourishment’ absorbed by the mind of the nine-year-old, or the fourteen-year-old, comes from the occasional adult synthesizer who is encountered – or from school or mass media presentations that have an integrating flavor” (Gardner, 2007, p. 68).  I believe Prezi is an example of digital media that definitely “integrates flavor.” 

I believe if students are subject to materials that touch upon different entry points and senses, they are more likely to gain knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the content.  With the integration of technology and its engaging features of audio, video, and images and other interactive features, educators will be able to reach students with a story, debate, art, etc. so that we can develop and nurture the disciplined mind in our students.  “To some extent, the disciplinary training involves acquisition of new skills” (Gardner, 2007, p. 39).  With these new skills, students will need to synthesize this new information with old information; thereby, marrying the disciplined and synthesized minds.

http://prezi.com/g3kyzkj24_r-/literary-devices/?auth_key=09a79b7b0f92a87d81095e71296565635e14a8f2