Using Prezi in the classroom

I discovered Prezi about 2 years ago and have been using it when I put on workshops.

What is it? It is a online presentation maker - a little like power-point but with more zoom.

What I like about Prezi is that it allows me to easily and quickly create a portable presentation that includes embedded video, links, images, text and PDF documents. I can create, edit, store and view my Prezi online or I can download a program for my computer. It also allows me to insert pre-made PowerPoint presentations and edit them with Prezi. It has pre-made templates for me to use but it also allows me to have a blank canvas to work from so I can create the presentation I want, the way I want it. Oh and did I mention that it is FREE for educational use?

Used Prezi before? If you haven't visited Prezi lately it is worth having another look. They have made some great updates in the last few months that have made this program more user friendly and accessible.

One of my workshop Prezis:

Why Can't I use Wikipedia? on Prezi

So if I learned about this 2 year ago - why am I writing about it today? Well it just occurred to me that I could and should be using Prezi in my classroom too. I can make little movies that are easily embedded onto my classroom website that students can watch at home.

Here is a quick Sight-Word Review I put online:

Grade 1- French Immersion - Site Words on Prezi

My students can access it directly from my website and practice at home:

http://www.sd23.bc.ca/~ghawtree/?OpenItemURL=S0D3367DE-0D3367DE

I can also "spice-up" some of my less interesting Smart-board lessons. I discovered that I can save Notebook files at PowerPoint presentations and then upload them easily to Prezi. All I had to do was click File, then Export, the PowerPoint. So easy.

This is a Smart board Lesson I quickly converted about Piet Mondrian.

This week I plan on trying to create a story Prezi with my students in class. We can then post in on our classroom website and the students can read it to their parents at home. I'm excited about the possible uses in my class room. Are you already using Prezi with your students? How?

What to learn more? Check-out this Prezi on how to create a Prezi!

http://prezi.com/learn/getting-started/

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