>I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to have a go at using prezi – the zooming presentation software. As far back as 2003 I was experimenting with using concept mapping software to do presentations… but the software wasn’t developed for that purpose and it was rather challenging although usually well received because it was different.

I recently had the opportunity to use prezi for the first time in front of an audience at the JISC Learning & Teaching Practice Experts meeting where we were presenting some of the findings from the LLiDA (Learning Literacies for the Digital Age) study. My session was to present a case study of good institutional policy and strategy for learning literacies. These are still very rare but the Glasgow Caledonian University has done some really interesting work with their i-Learn project – an Independent Learning Framework for the whole University.

from prezi.com

the presentation is available at http://prezi.com/122745/
I did put one picture into the presentation. It was one of my faves of the Saltire Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University.

My thoughts on using this application are as follows:

  • offers a non linear approach but allows you to create pathways through the content
  • allows you to present the whole picture in a fairly visual form and then zoom in as required
  • fairly limited in choice of colours and styles at present (really hoping they will be adding some)
  • relies on a good internet connection for presentation unless you purchase the desktop version (which I did – and had to use on the day)
  • allows you to incorporate a good range of file types so not limited to lists and bullet points
  • can be shared as an editable resource of limited to owner (I limited this as need it to be correct for a presentation but could see some educational for developing collaborative stuff
  • generally the audience liked the wow factor and the difference
  • not sure how accessible it is yet?
  • I will use it again as I’ve invested about £100 for it.
  • it’s a bit faffy to get stuff placed properly and it helps to have a big screen
  • I made it on a wide screen laptop and the display didn’t work properly (although could have been the ancient projector