Prezi is a web based presentation composer and player. This may seem an odd fit in a maths classroom, however I have decided to mention it because it is designed in a way that lends itself particularly well to maths presentations, so much so that I have already taken the time to experiment with it in the classroom while on prac.
Rather than utilising slides like many presentation editors, Prezi allows the presenter to construct a poster, different parts of which can be zoomed to as the presentation progresses (Prezi Inc. 2011). This makes it particularly useful if the aim of the presentation is to teach or demonstrate a process or construct an argument or proof, as it can clearly show how the different elements of the presentation relate to each other. Furthermore, the software itself is intuitive, simple and well supported with instruction, making it ideal for occasional use, and for use with students. Tools like this are effective in allowing students to create and collaborate, which can play a key roll in the learning process, and are elements all too often missing in the maths classroom (MCEECDYA 2010). Not least of all, prezi looks cool. It is presented in a way that is engaging, particularly when compared with the traditional maths teaching approach of speaking to the class and writing on the white board.
An obvious limitation of Prezi in the maths classroom is that it does not allow for easy manipulation or presentation of equations (Prezi Inc. 2011). This means that any good maths lesson involving Prezi will still need to involve the whiteboard. However, as mentioned in my first post, this will always be the case in a maths classroom.
References:
1. Prezi Inc. 2011. http://prezi.com/, viewed 17th April 2011.
2. MCEECDYA 2010. 'National Assessment Program -- ICT Literacy Years 6 & 10. Report. 2008, viewed 18 April 2011, http://www.mceecdya.edu.au/verve/_resources/NAP-ICTL_2008_report.pdf
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