Life is full of choices. In my current chaotic state where I am struggling to keep up with the roles of being a mother, wife, employee, volunteer, student and more it is often tempting to take the easy way out. Figuring where and when to cut corners is a hard decision to make.
There are so many new technologies that we are being exposed to, but at the same time there are some traditional methods that can be applied to achieve similar results. Take presentations for example. I am no expert on Powerpoint, but I have created quite a few in my lifetime and like to think that I am able to produce a decent presentation. However, I was recently introduced to a new tool called Prezi. So for my next group project that included a presentation, I had a choice to make. Do I use the tool that I am familiar with and breeze through this assignment, or do I take some extra time to figure out this new tool that seems to be more fun and dynamic?
I chose the more difficult route and jumped on the Prezi bandwagon. There was a bit of a learning curve and trying to navigate the features without a mouse was difficult, but I managed to survive and was quite impressed with the results. In fact, it was so much fun, that within a couple weeks I had already started incorporating it into my work. (This I enjoy because it's hard to impress our class full of techies, but take Prezi into the work setting and you are sure to drop jaws.)
The lesson learned from this experience brings me back to the infamous poem by Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken. The final lines state, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, and that had made all the difference."
Aloha Kelley,
ReplyDeleteYour Prezi presentation turned out wonderful. I'm glad you decided to go down that road. I, too, am now checking that program out and playing with it. I might add it is because of you and the others in our class.
Taking risks is what this program is all about. All of the technologies we are being exposed to are coming to us at full speed. I'm amazed that the age range in our group and how everyone embraces each task differently with the outcomes being similar (it just may take some longer).
It was wonderful working with you and Nick on this project. I couldn't have asked for better people.
I saw your other post about the 2 year old...yes, nowadays, kids have shorter attention spans. We're already seeing this in the elementary school environment. This is how students are coming to us. As a teacher, I feel we need to learn how to deal with this...it is what it is.
Take care, Annette
Hi Kelley,
ReplyDeletePrezi was very intimidating to me. When Patty first mentioned it I thought “are you crazy, we’re on a project timeline?” None of us had ever done one. As I watched more Prezi presentations I began to see how it brings it to life. I did struggle with the movement of the slide at first and got nauseous, but quickly figured out which features were not agreeing with me. I haven’t had the opportunity to use it myself yet, but I am familiarizing myself with it for when we do have another presentation assignment.
I also can relate to how the craziness of life forces us to cut corners and deciding which corner to cut is not always easy. I want to make sure that I make the most of this master’s program and apply what I am learning, especially because I am making family sacrifices to be here. I want to be able to look back and feel that it was all worth it. I too, prefer the road less travelled : )
Berna