Thing #11 - Presentation Tools

I put together a Prezi about the perpendicular bisector theorem and its converse (along with a little bit on using the theorem). The curriculum standard most strongly associated with this is:

G1.2.5 Solve multistep problems and construct proofs about the properties of medians, altitudes and perpendicular bisectors to the sides of a triangle, and the angle bisectors of a triangle. Using a straightedge and compass, construct these lines.

The URL for my Prezi is: http://prezi.com/bpds_orhbznh/perpendicular-bisectors/ and it looks like:

Prezi is an incredible presentation tool - I loved the one-page organization and the ability to emphasize points in different manners by creating different paths to different levels. Powerpoint has its strengths - mre formatting options, a little easier to control and know what is going to happen as you put it together. Also, it's a program I know well, it works with some other tools that I have (Camtasia) - I have a very high comfort level with PowerPoint. Powerpoint achieves some of its flash via animations.

Prezi's one-page organization lets you consider the interrelationships that exist between the points you wish  to make - and make it easy to revisit those points to provide enough emphasis for students to remember the information. Prezi's appeal is the ability to zoom in on little details within the larger picture - and then to zoom out an put it all together. The visual graphic organizer should help students organize the information in their heads. I can envision reviewing points once a presentation is finished by using the single page view and zooming in where appropriate.

For students, it can help organize their thoughts by allowing them to put all of the information on a single page, move it around and then tie it together logically.  You have to think about the process and the items involved and how it should be ordered and presented. It's a way to organize complex situations with various inputs and reach a logical conclusion. I can envision assigning my Algebra 2 students to put a Prezi together on all of the methods of solving quadratic equations and pointing toward the answers that were asked for (vertex, zeroes, maximum, minimum, discriminant, etc.)

Zoomit is an interesting little add-on.  Occasionally, you need a larger picture or additional emphasis and this is an easy way to get there. For some learners, you need to isolate pieces of the picture and talk about that point specifically - this will help achieve that. It also takes away the "I can't see it" response that occasionally arises.

The timer will also be useful...

Zoomit page:

In this example, it allows the students to more easily see how to read the protractor so that they can figure it out on their own.