For the Upcoming Earth Day in April of 2012, my eighth grade honors science students will be given an opportunity to construct a digital story on a current issue in our planet. They are to inform the public on this issue and how to protect our planet. Enjoy previewing my Prezi example, and please let me know any spelling errors or other feedback. Thanks!
Saving the Cotton Top Tamarin!
-Brian
Brian:
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting topic! Is this project for use in your classroom, or are your students going to make presentations to others (as in a science fair-type of project)?
I like the way that you fit so much information into your Prezi. I'm sure that your eighth grade students will enjoy watching your presentation. I did find one small spelling error - on the piece of paper that is entitled "Today's Reality", severly should be severely. Great job!!
Linda
Thanks Linda for the spelling correction and positive feedback! This presentation that I have created will be a combination of both direct use in the classroom and inspiration for their creation of a topic they choose to discuss. The only rule is that their topic has to deal with a science issue in our world today.
ReplyDeleteBrian, That was an awesome Prezi! What template did you use? I have done quite a few Prezis and that is the best one I have ever seen. Do you create Prezis on a regular basis?
ReplyDeleteI think your project was age appropriate and socially relevant, which in mind makes it a winner. The projects my students always appreciate the most are ones that have real world applications.
When the students complete this exercise you could take it one step further and have the students do their part in saving the Cotton Top Tamarin. This could be accomplished by joining a group or having them pass a petition around school to save this animal.
Did you create a Wiki or some other content page to go with your example? I would be very interested to see the rest of the lesson that goes with this example.
Erik,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments. This was actually my first Prezi I have done, but had fun putting it together. I guess I'm a fast learner!
I like your idea of taking it to the next level, implementing this into action. I do have a wiki that is being put together. Check it out! https://glasbybr.wikispaces.com/
First slide is a bit busy. Perhaps move page zoom in on just the title, and move the page marker, probably just under the title, so only the title shows.
ReplyDeletePerhaps add text label "Habitat" on the map with the arrow to Columbia, and then the extra transition to the closeup of Columbia is unnecessary.
Add a picture, or move the page marker, to an image of ecomochilas. Those like me uniformed about what ecomochilas are have to wait until near the end of the Prezi to see.
On the "Pyramid of Success," adjusting the zoom and page marker will prevent overlapping of items that you then move to one at a time. I have this problem too, and I found the solution was to move things farther apart and to use more frames. Prezi is meant to be seen in parts. I know we can print the Prezi to a page, but that only works for small Prezis. Otherwise, the page is cluttered, as is the screen. To many items in the frame make the eye question where to look. I try to prevent this by creating many more frames.
Your pictures of the Asoartesanas are a great example of centering separate Prezi elements on the screen! Great pictures and focus.
On the "Ways you can help the Cotton etc.," do you need the extra transition to the word "Ideas?" "Ways you can etc." suggests "Ideas." The problem with Prezi is too much spinning disorientates even nauseates many viewers, so the fewer transitions, the better.
The "Together, we can make a difference," in my opinion, works better by removing the final transition to just the words, and instead maybe zoom in a bit more on the previous image to enlarge the two children with the title. The two children emphasize plurality, and one less transition will cut down on the spinning effect.
Love the consistency in titling colors and fonts. Helps sorts areas of interest and create focal parallelism.
Great topic for an example for your students. I think they will understand right away what the assignment entails. Nice idea having an assignment for Earth Day.
Good melding of larger values (protecting and shepherding the planet) with the notion one can do so by saving one plant or animal at a time. Some folks become so overwhelmed with our environmental problems, they become paralyzed about where and how to begin. As you demonstrate, just start somewhere!
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ReplyDeleteKeith and Nathanael,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great input. Yes, this will be the first time I implement digital storytelling in the activist role. In the past, students have written papers. This project that we are doing will definitely be used in my classroom for years to come!
Brian