Free to Roam (the Infinite Canvas): Using Prezi in Library Instruction
1. Prezi is an online, Flash based
presentation tool that can be utilized in
the classroom and online classroom
environment. The addition of audio to a
prezi makes it just as effective online as
it is in the classroom. It is housed online
so there is no software to download or
compatibility issues to worry about.
Presentations are created on an infinite
canvas instead of restrictive slides. This
creates a type of mind map that
encourages users to connect concepts
within the canvas.
Prezi is a dynamic way to present that can be adapted for many
different learning styles. The fact that it can use images, text, video
and audio, and can be linear or non-linear, relates to many different
learning styles. It engages students with its visual aspects (using its
panning and zooming elements to convey its message), while
allowing them to make connections between the ideas on the canvas.
By using varying sizes and positions of images and text, the
relationships between information can be visually illustrated,
allowing students to look at the information presented in new ways.
The literature shows that students retain more information and are
more interested in presentations that are image rich.
Jennifer Resor Whicker, Reference/Instruction Librarian,
McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA
(540) 831-7652, jrwhicker@radford.edu
What is Prezi?
Contact
Learning Styles
(cc) Image by Lauren Pressley on Flickr
Editing
3D Backgrounds!
(cc) Image by US Embassy New Zealand on Flickr
Prezi Meeting!
Surveys conducted in five classes in which
Prezi was used during the Spring 2012
semester reveal that teaching faculty,
believe Prezi is an effective teaching
medium and students pay more attention in
library instruction classes that use Prezi
than in those that do not.
(cc) Image by dnlwelch on Flickr
Collaboration
ThingstoKnow
Examples
Learn from the masters!
(cc) Image by Bob Therina on Flickr
iPad!Images!
Video!
Audio!
Assessment
(cc) Image by TheBusyBrain on Flickr
Templates!
Social Media
Free to Roam (the Infinite Canvas): Using Prezi in Library Instruction
Jennifer Resor Whicker
McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA