Prezi+Presentations

Prezi is an online, interactive presentation tool. Similar to Microsoft Powerpoint or Google Presentation, Prezi allows the creator to develop a project to display images, text, videos, and ideas to an audience. The key feature and characteristic that makes Prezi different is the ability for it to zoom in and out on certain topics to guide the flow of the presentation and show significance to various topics within the presentation. The audience is captivated by the movement throughout the presentation compared to watching the linear movement of a basic presentation.
 * Definition**

What is Prezi? The Official Intro Video []

Step-by-step Tutorial on Prezi Basics []

Prezi was developed by Adam Somlai-Fischer, a Hungarian architect, in 2001. He developed Prezi by utilizing a zooming user interface (ZUI). This interface allows the user to scan across a larger canvas, zooming in and out of an area to show various topics and elements of the presentation. At the time of Somali-Fischer’s development of the Prezi, there was not a commercial zoom interface editor, which meant the presentation could not be edited without being recoded by hand. In collaboration with Peter Halacsy, Adam developed an online editor which allowed any creator of the presentation to edit and make changes. Peter Arvai also joined the team to help develop and market the product and company. In 2009, they launched Prezi from Budapest, but eventually moved the company’s location to San Francisco in November of the same year (Prezi.com, 2011).
 * History**

With today’s usage of computers and technology in society and education, everyone has seen a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation. With the changing of slides, the audience is shown different text or images at the click of a button. The development of this type of presentation is very scripted and basic, not allowing for much creativity and creator input on the end of how the presentation appeals to the eye. With the Prezi, one of the main advantages is the ability for the creator to develop and design a presentation tool that really engages the audience. A Prezi presentation moves in any direction the creator wants, zooms in and out, and embeds various tools and other functions at the click of a button. The Prezi is able to show the audience the difference in meaning and importance on various topics and pieces of information from the different sized images/fonts to the level of zooming on different topics. A Prezi presentation enables the creator to embed all files, images, video clips, etc. directly into the presentation. Instead of following the very linear appearance and model of PowerPoint, the Prezi moves in a unique pattern showing the creators individuality and creative thinking.
 * Advantages**

Another advantage is that Prezi is a free, online program. This allows anyone with Internet access to log in and create a Prezi to share. With a simple and easy log in process, a new user to Prezi can be up and running within minutes. Once a Prezi is completed, it can also be easily shared with anyone by simply logging into your personal account and pulling up your previously saved files. In the world of education, educators can sign up for an EduPro account which allows the teachers and students to design a Prezi and then save it in a .pez format for use offline (Prezi.com, 2011).

A final advantage of a Prezi presentation is the ability to collaborate and share it with others. Through the use of Prezi Meeting, group members can share presentations with each other, edit each other’s work, and combine ideas into one presentation. Prezi Meeting could also be used to share information to others for them to learn from. Students could teach other students by creating a Prezi on a topic, share it with their peers, and learn the key information on their own. A teacher could use a Prezi to share information with students at any time on their website in case a student is not in class one day or wants to review the information.

One disadvantage of a Prezi is the difficulty in getting started for some people. Since the user starts the presentation design process with a blank, white canvas, the emptiness can be overwhelming and confusing. The creator can literally begin typing anywhere or doing anything. Because of this, it is best to begin a Prezi with an idea or topic in mind. Since the order of information can be edited or changed any time, information can be easily added or deleted. However, it does take time to get used to playing around with where everything goes, how much to zoom in on a topic, and what order to put information in.
 * Disadvantages**

Another disadvantage of a Prezi presentation is their limitation of file sizes for presentations. Currently, a file size of 2880 pixels is the maximum for an image or file in a presentation. It is possible to create a presentation with more pixels than that, but the presentation will not save.

The main possible issue with using a Prezi presentation is the access to the Internet. If a student does not have Internet access at home or in the classroom, he/she could not work on it. If an internet access goes out and the connection is not available, the presentation cannot be viewed unless it was downloaded previously on a computer compatible with Prezi Desktop.
 * Possible Issues**

With the development of the Prezi Viewer for the Ipad, I think the future for Prezi presentations are endless. There is a new app available to download for a Prezi to be available and ready for viewing anytime or anywhere (Prezi.com, 2011). I could see this being beneficial and even a solution the previous possible issue since it would allow the presentation to be available and accessible whenever needed. Another future direction that a Prezi presentation could take on is the element of 3D. In the future, maybe the presentation could become three dimensional by hooking up the computer to a three dimensional capable television and incorporating three dimensional elements. If the audience viewed the presentation with 3D glasses, the images, files, or information could pop out and become even more interactive for the viewer.
 * Future Direction**