Task 4: Reflecting on Prezi Presentations

This week saw us look at 'Presenting Learning'. Presentations are about finding the best way to communicate ideas to an audience for a purpose. All to often presentations stray off topic or are just not effective at communicating information; we've all sat through a bad PowerPoint. This weeks reading 'Audience and Purpose' prsents the idea that PowerPoint is not always the default option, there are other ways to publish and broadcast ideas. It also talks about the importance of 'knowing your audience' so you can communicate effectively. As mentioned, the most obvious tool for this is good old PowerPoint. PowerPoint is a highly effective communication tool if used properly, but more often than not it ends up being done completely wrong. However, just as the reading suggested, there are other tools available. We were also given the options of exploring Prezi, Glogster and Thinglink. As it costed money to join Glogster and Thinglink, I chose to explore Prezi for this weeks reflection. I am already familiar with PowerPoint and am a big believe in trying new things. Overall I found Prezi to be successful, but it does have a few major drawbacks.

A Technological Overview Of Prezis:
Prezi is free (for the first month) zooming presentation tool and its presentations are available online or downloadable, and the paid version allows you to download the off-line creation tool and use it offline. It allows you to create a global perspective with your work, as opposed to PowerPoint which is linear. The Zoom function also allows you to provide more detail into the presentation, such detail often gets muddled up in a PowerPoint.
Prezi also allows you to ad in images, links, videos and music. 

The Layout, Functions and Setting for Prezi

The layout and program structure of Prezi is simple enough and the instructions are clear to follow. The left sidebar allows you to choose which 'bubble' you edit (listed by numbers in the order of viewing). The 'bubbles' allow you to change the font, colour and size of your text, as well as lets you place them wherever you choose.  There is a function that lets you edit the shape of these 'bubbles' (seen top left) and in the bottom left the "Edit Path" function allows you to re-draw the viewing path; so instead of 1, 2, 3, 4 you might change it to 4,2,3,1. The customize button allows you to change the template and background to suit your topic; I chose the basic "Creativity" template for this task. Next to the Customize button is the 'Insert' function. This is what bring your Prezi to life and makes it interesting for viewers. It is here the user can add images, videos, music, links.. anything they want really. This is a straightforward process and has a lot of potential for the classroom, as students can completely customise their Prezi. 

The sharing of Prezi is similar to that of a Google Document. Once finished there is a share button and you are provided with options. The link allows the Prezi to be publicly shared, though the user can edit whether or not just anybody can edit the Prezi. This has the potential to be used as a collaborate learning tool. However to make the Prezi private you need to be a full member and paid the fees.
To cutomize you can invite people to view your Prezi, this would be good to create a class list so students could easily login and access a Prezi. 

However, Prezi does have its drawbacks. Aside from requiring payments for ongoing usage, it often stops working and cannot be used offline. During the Prezi exercise in class it was apparent that many of my peers were unable to access the Prezi network and were therefore unable to create one. This would cause major problems if it was used in a set task.This is why my overall recommendation would to to use something like PowerPoint when presenting. Although Prezi does provide a unique learning opportunity, the access glitches and fees out-way the good. PowerPoint is easily accessed and comes with all the same functions. 

Learning Outcomes Of Prezi Presentations: 
Prezi Presentations has a lot of potential to be used in the classroom. Currently I believe that there is no point using it due to the fees and glitches, but if those issues were to dissipate then this would be a great alternative to PowerPoint.   

• It gives students an exciting alternative to PowePoint - new tools will get their attention. 
• Provides a presentation platform that is non-linear
• Has the ability to be completely customised to suit the presentation, even allowing the user to effortlessly circle back to a point 
• Allows viewers to zoom in and out to focus on a piece of infomation
• Can easily embed videos from Youtube, this is great as a lot of schools block Youtube and therefore links are useless. 
• Caters for collaborate learning. 

Using Prezi In My Pedagogy:

 Within my subject areas of English and History I think an improved Prezi would be very useful. I especially like that it allows users to circle back to a point, or use a central idea and branch off it. This would be useful in English if we had a topic like movie themes because the Prezi could essentially replaces the 'brainstorming' activity usually used to start off an assignment. By setting the privacy settings to allow for other people to edit and add to a Prezi, it become easy to share ideas about a singular topic. The great thing is that you can just keep adding more 'bubbles' and arrows, allowing for the topic to expand as much as you need; while still being able to interconnect ideas. 

Models: 

Task 3: Reflecting on the use of Images in a Classroom

This week saw the introduction of using Images, Pod-casts and Videos in the classroom.
This was not completely unfamiliar territory as I had experienced these tools back in my education, though Pod-casts are a little more unfamiliar than the others. We had to create all three (Audio, Video and Visual) and then choose one to explore in more depth.  I feel that all these tools have their own benefits in the classroom, though for this activity I have chosen to focus on Images. This is because I feel this is a deceptively simple way of communicating with students, and if done properly an image, such as a political cartoon, can prompt deep thinking.

Example of Political Cartoon - http://www.theage.com.au

My Image, Pod-Cast and Video
The following are my three creations; their content is nothing special.
The video is of my dog, Maisie. And the Image is a collage designed for an activity I have created; but more of that later.

Video- Miss Maisie the Terror Terrier

                                           Image - What do these images have in common?


A Technological Overview Of Digital Imagery
The potential for using images in the classroom really are endless. You can create images for students to write about, they can provoke deep thinking or you could even get students to make their own images as a way of communicating with their teacher or classmates.
There are a variety of methods and templates to create your own image. I have used a collage program called PhotoEditor. This allows me to use filters, Photoshop and use a variety of layouts to create an image or collage. I didn't see the need to use the Photoshop apps to their full ability because I do not need it for my activity, but I did change on image to black and white. Collages are great for creating an anthology of sorts for students to build on.
There are more complex programs such as Art Range, Tux Paint and Be Funky which have complex Photoshop abilities and even allow the user to create comic strip. There are also more simple programs like Snapchat or even just a mobile phone or tablet can be used to capture and create images.

Professional Photoshop Before and After- http://www.womansday.com.au/

Although the Image creator programs and devices are designed to only have one user, people are still able to communicate on a mass level with apps like SnapChat so there is potential to have multiple people involved with the image. Potentially you could have one student slightly change the image, and send it around like a digital 'Chinese whispers'. This also creates a problem with images being sent around without people's permission. Once something is places on the Internet, whether on Facebook or a classroom WikiSpace, there is always a chance it will be leaked out of context and to the public. Although it is unlikely to occur with classroom material, students still need to be aware not to share things that they should not be sharing with others
Aside from creating an image to use for an activity, you can opt to just borrow one that you found online (so long as your reference and have permission). This is particular way of using images save teachers time and it allows them to use something that is socially well known or relavent. Polictical cartoons and 'Memes' are example of an image that is easier to copy because of its style and social impact. You cannot create your own version of 'Grumpy Cat' because the original is so well known and loved already! Actually using popular 'Memes' is a highly effective way of communicating with GenZ; they know the material well, usually has pop culture references with clever puns and it keeps things interesting. There are a variety of websites that allow you to create your own 'Memes'

 'Hipster Meme' (glasses) that could be used in English Class
- http://www.quickmeme.com/Hipster-Shakespeare/ 

Learning Outcomes of Digital Images
Digital Images can create a variety of learning outcomes depending on what the image is and how it is presented as a task.

• It creates a chance for students to develop higher order thinking skills through the use of problem solving, critical thinking and evaluating
• Images such as diagrams will help students break down information
• Will aid students process information, especially those who are visual learners
• Images such as 'Memes' can be used to keep students engaged while still being on topic. 
• Promotes creativity - something that is often undervalued 

Using Digital Images As A Part Of My Pedagogy
My areas of study are English and History. I think that the use of images can be very profound
in these areas, and would very much improve my pedagogy. I could use images in English to get students to create anthologies (as previously trialled) or to get them to make a novel cover or write a piece based off an imaged shown to them (used like a stimulus). Images would be great in History, in particular the use of war propaganda posters and other political cartoons that relate to an era.

My Activity
The activity is based around the following image.
It uses the See Think Wonder Template followed by a question and a hands on part.

1. Have students look at the image, as per the See Think Wonder mode. What do they see?
2. Introduce the question: what do these images have in common?
    Hint - they have two things in common.
3. As there is a direct question involved the 'Wonder' step is not needed.
4. Answer: They all start with the letter M:
                 - Massage
                 - Mirror
                 - Mudcake
                 - Manure
                 - Music
     AND each one of these images appeal to one of the senses:
                 - Massage: Touch
                 - Mirror: Sight
                 - Mudcake: Taste
                 - Manure: Smell
                 - Music: Sound.
5. Students are to then create their own collage based around a theme using PhotoEditor
6. The images are to uploaded into a Wiki where each student can post their answers to the collages.

Not only does this activity use images as a way of inciting deeper thinking through a 'Riddle Collage' but it also utilises technology that can enrich the activity and the classroom in general. By adding WikiSpaces it allows students to express themselves on a broader level with images, something GenZ are very good at and respond to. I used this 'Riddle Collage' activity in a poetry unit in Year 8 English on my prac, minus the Wiki (as I did not know it existed). The student's assessment was to create a poetry anthology; and they had no idea what an anthology was. I used this activity to introduce it, as they could create and share a visual anthology. The wiki part of the activity would have been a massive asset to the activity.


Models

My activity currently fits into the Redefinition level. This is because I have created a task solely around an image.

I think the activity is currently a 'blue hat' as it mostly relies on thinking and 'connecting dots' to arrive to an answer. In saying that, there is definitely an element of green as creativity is important when placing the images together.