Author Topic: Want something funner than Power Point? Try Prezis (Read 1459 times)

Van · « **on:** July 11, 2011, 01:50:59 pm »

I recently stumbled across making Prezis through another post on here. They are much better for presenting information. I think the only downside is they take more time to make. The first one is going to be the roughest one. However, if you take the time to go through the tutorials and look at some sample Prezi's it pays off in terms of making better prezis'. It seriously is going to revolutionize the way I teach and present. Power Point seems so boring and linear in comparison to me.
One thing I have realized about teaching is what works for one may not work for another. Give it a shot and see if it works for you. I think this is particularly useful for young children since they like color and animation. go to prezi.com-you can get a free account
(I just re-read my message and realized there may be hope for me in being a saleswoman for this company

Now I have a Plan B for life

wildeperson · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:12:29 pm »

Thanks for the tip! I am excited to check this out. Of course it will have to be after camp. And I think you might make a great salesman for them!!!

Wretchard · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:17:28 pm »

Do you have to pay?

rampancy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2011, 04:26:46 pm »

IIRC, you have to pay for the desktop version, which allows you to create and edit Prezis offline. The free version is a web app.

gjmarshall · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2011, 08:12:48 am »

I've heard people have a lot of problems with prezi's not working before a class starts. Anyone have any similar issues?

teachermc · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2011, 10:56:47 am »

Quote from: gjmarshall on August 26, 2011, 08:12:48 am

I've heard people have a lot of problems with prezi's not working before a class starts. Anyone have any similar issues?

For sure, Prezi may not be best suited for every computer. Prezi operates with Flash, so if you have experienced lagging with other Flash media items on your classroom computer, you would have to take this into account when deciding whether or not to use a Prezi in your lesson.

There are also ways to address this issue if you still want to use Prezi. First, you could try to minimize the size of your Prezis by sticking with a more simple layout and using smaller file formats (PNG for images, FLV for videos). In my experience with Prezi, it seems the most intense element for a computer to handle is the zooming effect. For zooming to appear more fluid, you should try to keep each element in the entire presentation within a more limited range of sizes.

I have experienced these issues firsthand, having recently moved from a school with a new English classroom (with a fancy computer and touchscreen) to one with no dedicated English classroom and a bunch of mediocre computers. The change has both affected my Prezi designs and the extent to which I rely on a Prezi to manage the content of a lesson.

youkhan · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2011, 09:20:42 am »

If you still have access to a university/educational email address you can sign up and get the student/educator version which has a decent bit more features and is free as well than just the plain simple version.

emberry · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2011, 11:21:29 am »

I like the idea of it, but my co-teacher says it makes her sick (like seasick). HAHAH. Just a warning to you all. Use wisely.

ronalogue · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2011, 02:43:32 pm »

Quote from: rampancy on July 11, 2011, 04:26:46 pm

IIRC, you have to pay for the desktop version, which allows you to create and edit Prezis offline. The free version is a web app.

re: the web app - I take it this means you need an internet connection to use it? Or would it be poss to load it and then leave it? If that makes sense?

rampancy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2011, 03:31:18 pm »

Quote from: ronalogue on September 15, 2011, 02:43:32 pm

Quote from: rampancy on July 11, 2011, 04:26:46 pm
IIRC, you have to pay for the desktop version, which allows you to create and edit Prezis offline. The free version is a web app.
re: the web app - I take it this means you need an internet connection to use it? Or would it be poss to load it and then leave it? If that makes sense?

Yes. You can't use the web version of Prezi offline, which means that any school computer that you use it on must be connected to the Internet. Your slide shows are saved "in the cloud" which means that no matter where you are you'll be able to save and work on your presentation. The trade-off is that you can only use it online.

The other major requirement is that your school computer must have Flash installed (at least version 9.x and above) and should have enough CPU horsepower to run Flash well. That might be something to look out for as it's not uncommon for classrooms to have aging Pentium 4 PCs saddled with low RAM and a bloated Windows XP installation which can't hack the latest version of Flash.

greenwinger · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2011, 02:12:07 pm »

Wish I knew about the lagging effect on various computers, got way too excited, made a lesson plan and then just tried it out on my class computer and it's not really going as well as I hope. If they get new computers in the english zone, I'd switch for sure!

Jrong · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2011, 02:40:52 pm »

Once I got used to it, Prezi was actually easier and faster to use than PPT. I use it almost everyday. The novelty of the 'zooming' wears off pretty quickly but like others have said, if you have a fast pc then I'd definitely recommend using it over ppt.

trods85 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2011, 01:01:10 pm »

I'll have to give it a shot, thanks

jkang · « **Reply #13 on:** October 04, 2011, 01:50:26 pm »

I'm pretty sure you can save it for offline use with the free version too. You just can't edit it.

Just make it online and save it to your flash drive. Then you can show it in your class without an internet connection.

raziel · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2011, 10:18:12 am »

I love Prezi!! I use it all the time, and my coteacher and students love it. It's so much better than PPT and I haven't had any problems with it.

keepemgreen · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2012, 11:17:40 am »

I think for putting more information in a slide PPT is better and quicker but I suppose that's the point - less is better.

erin.stauber · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2012, 11:42:45 am »

Prezis have worked really for me when I want to keep going back to an image or word. For example, I made an animal prezi for my students when we were talking about zoo animals. I was able to connect the prezi back to the "zoo map," so that they could see animal locations and names, then zoom in on a picture and/or word/s about the animal. The elementary kids definitely liked this more than my usual powerpoints.

huarachi · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2012, 01:54:28 pm »

One of my coteachers absolutely loves Prezi. The other said it makes her feel sick...
Can't win!

yoojiners · « **Reply #18 on:** March 14, 2012, 04:37:27 pm »

I love Prezi! I used it a couple of times in college. If you use the hidden frames right, it can help create a less dizzying effect. I overlap the hidden frames so that the movement isn't so jarring.

strawberry · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2012, 12:03:03 pm »

Prezi question!!!

So I downloaded a video in youtubedownloader and put that in my prezi (instead of using the YouTube option, for fear of lagging). So I have to save the video on the same USB or file like you would when using it in powerpoint? Or can I just download my prezi and use offline without having the downloaded video on the same USB.

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Author Topic: Want something funner than Power Point? Try Prezis (Read 1459 times)