Software Review/Emerging Technology/Innovative Uses presentationPrezi, Fitbit Zip, and LessonCast

SAMUEL WOOD

EDU 202-1001

6/20/2015

Software Review NAME OF REVIEWER: SAMUEL WOOD

SOFTWARE TITLE: PREZI

PUBLISHER: PREZI INC.

COST PER SINGLE LICENSE/LAB PACK/SITE LICENSE? PERSONAL USE IS FREE WHILE COLLABORATIVE USE, STUDENT TO TEACHER OR STUDENT TO STUDENT RUNS $13.25 A MONTH.

COMPUTER COMPATIBILITY/SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: PC AND MAC

APPROPRIATE GRADE LEVELS: GRADES 9 THRU 12

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SOFTWARE: PREZI IS A PRESENTATION SOFTWARE THAT ALLOWS THE USER TO CREATE AN ORIGINAL WORK.

CURRICULUM AREAS THE SOFTWARE MEETS OR ADDRESSES: VISUAL AID FOR STUDENT AND TEACHER PRESENTATIONS

WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE SOFTWARE? THE DIFFERENT TEMPLATES ALONG WITH ITS VISUAL EFFECT GIVE PREZI THAT EYE CATCHING ASPECT THAT EVERY PRESENTATION NEEDS. ONE WEAKNESS IS THAT IT CLOSELY RESEMBLES POWER POINT.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM? THE PROGRAM IS VERY EASY TO USE AND WITHIN MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO USE IT SUCCESSFULLY.

HOW LONG MIGHT IT TAKE STUDENTS? WHY? LEARNING PREZI WILL BE QUICK AND EASY FOR STUDENTS. TODAYS STUDENTS ARE TECH SAVVY AND MUST WILL NOT RUN INTO PROBLEMS WITH THIS PROGRAM.

RATE THE PROGRAM ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS/CRITERIA:

SA = STRONGLY AGREE A= AGREE D=DISAGREE NA=NOT APPLICABLE

_SA__• PROGRAM HAS EDUCATIONAL VALUE:

_NA_ • PROGRAM IS FREE FROM STEREOTYPES:

_SA _ • CONTENT IS OF INTEREST TO STUDENTS:

_ A__ • INFORMATION IS PRESENTED CLEARLY AND LOGICALLY:

_SA _ • GRAPHICS, & AUDIO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE:

_SA _ • STUDENTS WOULD ENJOY USING THIS PROGRAM:

__A _ • PROGRAM GIVES APPROPRIATE FEEDBACK:

__A _ • STUDENTS CONTROL THE PROGRAM'S RATE:

__A _ • DOCUMENTATION IS CLEARLY WRITTEN:

_NA_ • TEACHER'S GUIDE IS USEFUL:

_SA _ • PROGRAM IN PROGRESS CAN BE EASILY SAVED OR EXITED:

_SA _ • PROGRAM IS USER FRIENDLY:

_NA_ • SKILL LEVELS CAN BE ADJUSTED BY THE USER/INSTRUCTOR:

ADDITIONAL REVIEWER COMMENTS: IN MY OPINION, PREZI WILL GIVE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AN ALTERNATIVE PRESENTATION PROGRAM.

Emerging Technology The Fitbit Zip

THE FITBIT ZIP CAN BE USED TO HELP COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY.

THE FITBIT KEEPS TRACK OF STEPS, DISTANCE, AND CALORIES BURNED. IT SYNCS WITH MOST SMARTPHONES AND IT RETAILS FOR $59.95. ACCORDING TO FITBIT.COM, THE DEVICE ENCOURAGES ACTIVE MOVEMENT. THE FITBIT WOULD BE A GREAT ADDITION TO A PHYSICAL EDUCATION OR HEALTH CLASS. TOO MANY CHILDREN DO NOT GET ENOUGH EXERCISE. THE DEVISE COULD EVEN BE UTILIZED IN AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVATE AND THE EXPENSE COULD BE PAID BY PARENTS. THE STUDENTS WOULD LEARN HOW ACTIVE THEY ARE AND RECEIVE THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO GET MORE ACTIVE. ADDITIONALLY, THE SYSTEM ALLOWS THEM TO SET GOALS AND ISSUES AWARDS WHEN THE GOALS ARE REACHED. TEACHING STUDENTS THE BENEFITS OF HEALTH AND FITNESS EARLY WILL PROVIDE A GREAT BASE FOR A LONGER AND HEATHIER LIFE.

Innovative Uses LessonCast

TEACHERS HELPING TEACHER

LESSONCAST IS A PLACE WHERE TEACHERS CAN SUBMIT LESSON PLAN IDEAS AND OTHER EDUCATORS CAN GIVE FEEDBACK. MAYBE IT’S A GREAT LESSON PLAN OR ANOTHER TEACHER COULD HAVE TRIED IT IN THE PAST AND WOULD WARN YOU AGAINST IT. TEACHERS NEED HELP JUST AS MUCH AS STUDENTS. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT RESOURCES FOR A NEW TEACHER OR A TEACHER WHO NEEDS TO CHANGE THINGS UP IN THEIR CLASSROOM.

References (N.D.). RETRIEVED JUNE 21, 2015, FROM HTTPS://PREZI.COM/YOUR/

THERE'S A FITBIT PRODUCT FOR EVERYONE. (N.D.). RETRIEVED JUNE 21, 2015, FROM HTTPS://WWW.FITBIT.COM/

LESSONCAST | NEXT GENERATION TEACHER PREPARATION. (N.D.). RETRIEVED JUNE 21, 2015, FROM HTTP://WWW.LESSONCAST.COM/