Prezi: Angles in a Plane

Angles in a Plane Prezi

At first glance, this presentation is a collection of factual definitions, theorems, and postulates found in Geometry. However, this Prezi presentation is far more beneficial to students than a bunch of facts on their computer screens. Students can use this Prezi to either quickly review some facts they have learned and recall, or carefully review facts that may have been forgotten from previous classes. Students will work at their own pace and add new information to existing ideas. Students will use a guided note sheet to summarize facts, but also have free space to write examples or note connections between previous knowledge, real world examples, and other insights.

The videos in this presentation are a way for students to see applications of geometrical concepts in the real world, and in some instances, tie the idea to creative visuals or current events/celebrities that will create meaning in the students’ mind. By creating meaning, this technique will aid student in synthesizing the content; that is, focusing and holding onto the main ideas of the unit. By examining angles in real world animations and scenarios, students are disciplining their minds to think like a mathematician, architect, designer, and so forth, rather than simply memorizing facts.  

The final area of the Prezi is an online practice applet. This applet was very intentional because it requires students to call on prior knowledge of other mathematical concepts that were not reviewed in the presentation. As students solve for angles on parallel lines, the applet presents some problems in which the parallel lines are part of a trapezoid or parallelogram. Students are immediately making connections between these shapes and the angles in the Prezi. Students are also required to call on their basic algebra skills to solve for the variable. This applet provides immediate feedback to the student. Overall, it is a unique tool that shows students how many mathematical concepts tie together. Synthesizing, making connections, and delving deeper into the discipline are all results of this Prezi, which I would hope, would make Howard Gardner smile.