The title says it all. Powerpoint, the old stand by of teachers and trainers is being replaced by Prezi. Since I never really mastered all the Powerpoint, I was a bit intimidated by the bells and whistles of Prezi. Prezi allows for more links and more movement than Powerpoint. I can see its value for teaching because of this, but it also concerns me.
Students today are used to the fast moving pace of tv and video games. Research has proven this over and over,and sometimes teachers feel like they have to constantly "entertain" and keep things moving to keep students engaged. Prezi is one way to do this with your presentations; either has to give them or alow students to create them. That's the plus of Prezi. Pedagogically, I know as a teacher educator that engagement and motivation are critical for learning.
I also know that sometimes the content needs to absorbed and contemplated and reviewed. Sometimes quiet and critical thinking time is needed, most especially when coming up with new ideas, concepts or inventions. I know this because I grew up in the "old school" and I consistently am trying to improve my education and my teaching. Do all of the teachers today- practicing and pre service know this? I am not so sure and I think I might be doing them a disservice. Technology must not be used simply for technology's sake. It must be used to improve student learning.
I am not dissing Prezi. I will use it. It is fun, easily mastered and will add to my instruction. But mayhaps more care may be needed. Several classmates posted on this topic, saying that some Prezis made them almost dizzy from the movement. In this case, perhaps the presentation outweighed the content?
Here's my first Prezi: I am working on a second.
http://prezi.com/acp31gyihzfi/read-it/
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