Prezi research synopsis

Literature search process

·      many articles are relevant in the broader sense of “mindtools” and their contribution to learning styles, student skills and critical thinking.

·        Focused search on educational rationale for using multimedia projects with elementary students and examples of using Prezi with students.

·         worked best to use Boolean search terms to keep topic smaller (Berkeley Library)

·         limited articles just about Prezi because it is a recent development (Bender and Bull 2012).  Subsequent searches after 2^nd blog identified more articles.

·         A number of books found for teaching with multimedia projects, not reviewed due to access issues.

·        articles had different approaches to the topic including: cognitive learning (Bell 2013, Lightle 2011) , design challenges (Green and Brown 2002), increasing engagement (Bender and Bull 2012) (Stevens 2012) (Liu and Hsiao 2000), web 2.0 tools (Bender and Bull 2012) (Stevens 2012) (Liu and Hsiao 2000) .

Key Learnings 

·         Using Prezi definitely proven to engage students in a topic (Bender and Bull 2012) (Stevens 2012) (Liu and Hsiao 2000)

·         Using Web 2.0 tools results in learning with students not just teaching them.  This is because when integrating technology, students are encouraged to be self-directed. They facilitate student centered learning and create more relevant and interactive lessons (Lightle 2011)

·         Prezi is considered a non-traditional presentation tool because both linear and non-linear presentation components can be integrated (Bender and Bull 2012) so better than linear PowerPoint presentations, Prezi provides zooming and spatial relations. (Manning et al 2011)

·         Prezi supports Bloom’s revised taxonomy at the higher order thinking of analyzing: making connections, comparing, organizing and presenting information. (Lightle 2011) (Bell 2013).  Provides students with a constructivist educational approach described by Jonassens  (Bell 2013)

·         Prezi is good for developing virtual graphic organizers that are interactive and expressive.  Prezi can be used to create an item for final assessment.  It can include students multiple intelligences by linking images, videos and websites.  Builds students deeper thinking by having them explore and describe explicitly connections between ideas and their thinking.  Allows students to incorporate a wide variety of information, but requires critical thinking to do this well. (Manning et al. 2011) 

·         Proven to increase students understanding of a topic (Peters and Hopkins 2013)

·         Prezi can’t be mastered in one project; students need to consider their audience when designing (Green and Brown 2002)

·         Students generally find Prezi interesting to use, not too difficult to learn and good for presenting material (Stevens 2012)

·         Assessment by students needs to be consciously included (Green and Brown 2002).

 

References  

Bell, M.A. 2013. Computers as Mindtools, a homage to David H. Jonassen. Internet@schools Nov/Dec 2013 p 24-25.

Bender, C. and P. Bull. 2012.  Using Prezi in a Middle School Science Class. Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE) 2012. Austin, Texas, USA March 5, 2012. Retrieved Jan 19, 2014 from UBC library Ed/IT lib digital library.

Berkeley Library. undated.  Basic Search Tips and Advanced Boolean Explained. Retrieved Jan 24, 2014 from http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Boolean.pdf

 

Green, T., A. Brown.  Student- generated multimedia projects in the classroom. 2002.  California State University Fullerton.  MultiMedia Schools, v9 n4 p20-24 Sep 2002.  Retrieved Jan 15, 2014 from UBC library Ed/IT lib digital library.

 

Lightle, K.2011.  More than just the technology.  Science Scope Summer 2011,  p6-9. Retrieved Jan 24, 2011 from http://cmapspublic2.ihmc.us/rid=1KLP3DK45-28LFPZJ-19T4/More%20than%20Just%20the%20Technology.%20pdf.pdf

 Liu, M. and Y. Hsiao. 2000.  Middle school students as multimedia designers: a project-based learning approach.  Jl. of Interactive Learning Research (2002) 13 (4) 11-337.  Retrieved Jan 19, 2014 from UBC library Ed/IT lib digital library.

Manning, C., W. Brooks, V. Crotteau, A. Diedrich, J. Moser and A. Zwiefelhofer.  2011. Tech tools for teachers, by teachers: Bridging teachers and students.  Wisconsin English Journal 53 (1) p. 24-28. Retrieved Jan 24, 2014 from http://journals.library.wisc.edu/index.php/wej/article/viewFile/379/444

 

Peters, T. and Hopkins, K. 2013. Students using web 2.0 technologies to develop 21^st century skills.  E-learn  p 1297-1300.  Retrieved Jan 24, 2014 from http://www.editlib.org/p/115059 .

 

Stevens, Vance.  2012.  Web 2.0 toolkit for teaching and learning EFL presentation skill.  TESL-EJ 16 (2).  Retrieved Jan 24, 2014 from http://www.tesl-ej.org/wordpress/issues/volume16/ej62/ej62int/