Prezi is a presentation software like PowerPoint and Google Slides but unlike those other presentations, Prezi offers the different templates, transitions, and zoom capability, which allows Prezi to move away from the traditional "linear" presentations. This program does feel more like a "storyteller" for the presenter and audience and a "playground" for the creators. Presentations are stored in a cloud allowing more creative space. You can also share your Prezi's publicly and collaborate with other users. After viewing Gina Phillips' Social Media Prezi, I knew I had to find out about this software because it grabbed my attention more so than any PowerPoint I've seen. Our company uses the Microsoft office suite, so it was good to find out Prezi has the ability to import PowerPoint presentations and "Prezify" them! You can upload images, YouTube videos, music, and PDF documents. The Pro version costs $13.25 per month but gives you 2GB of cloud storage, the option to keep your presentations private, use your own logo and access to premium support.
This is a tool I can put to use today in our Training Center to provide more visual stimulation, and keep student's attention.
Mathway
Mathway is not just a web calculator/graphing calculator. This tool can be a math tutor/helper or just a great cheat for homework (UGH). The user inputs the math problem, and the free online version, gives you the answer and a graphical representation (if appropriate). This is great if you just want to use it for a homework checker. For a monthly or yearly fee, you can also get the step by step solutions to the problems. I like that this tool not only computes basic math but also higher maths such as Trigonometry, Pre-calculus, Calculus, Statistics, Finite Math, Linear Algebra, and even Chemistry.
One of the features I liked as a parent and teacher is the ability to create worksheets for practice. Just choose the topic you are studying, choose how many problems you want for practice and viola! A new practice worksheet is generated. I would use these at home to reinforce what my kids are learning in school and would use these in class as bell ringer exercises. Mathway App is also available for download on mobile devices
Voki
Voki is an educational tool that allows users to create their own talking character. Voki characters can be customized to look like historical figures,
cartoons, animals, and even yourself. Give your Voki a voice by
recording with a microphone, using a dial-in number, or uploading an
audio file. Voki characters can be emailed, shared on social media, and
embedded on websites. Basic Voki characters are free but more options are available if you upgrade to the Classroom Voki. Voki Classroom is a fully digital student, class, and lesson management system for
Voki. With Voki Classroom, teachers are able to control their students’
privacy settings, upload lesson plans, utilize existing lesson plans, and students can complete their lesson in Voki. Visit The Official Voki Twitter Page.
Voki also has a traditional presenter pricing option that allows you to create and project Voki presentations. How cool would it be to use your student Vokis in your classroom presentations!
See my first Voki here AND My son made his own Voki.
See my first Voki here AND My son made his own Voki.
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job on your post! All of these tools are new to me so I learned a lot. I really liked Prezi. It's definitely more interesting than a PowerPoint. I wish I had Mathway when I was in Calculus or Linear Algebra. I'm sure I would have done better. Voki is certainly fun and I bet students would love it. I didn't understand Voki fully until I looked at the one you created, and with the audio, it just made me laugh!
Great post! Prezi sounds very cool. Thank you so much for introducing that tool. I will most certainly be trying it out. Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteWill a Marine protect flowers from sledgehammers?
ReplyDeleteWill Gina get a commission from Prezi?
Delightful!