Prezi refers to a presentation software as well as storytelling tool that is cloud based and used to present ideas on a virtual canvas. It uses a zooming user interface (ZUI) that enables users to zoom in and out of the presentation media and allows them to display and navigate through the information within a parallax 3D space on the Z-axis. On the other hand, PowerPoint refers to a package of complete presentation graphics. It gives the user everything needed to produce a presentation that is professional looking. It gives word processing, graphing, outlining, drawing, as well as presentation management tools .
According to Phil Bird, Prezi and PowerPoint are very different tools and have different positive and negative features. Phil claims that Prezi has a large visual impact when one uses it for the first time. His theory with Prezi is that when it is being used during a presentation with a presenter in front and participants who have attended a session on the grounds of the abstract or title of the session, it is not going to be somewhat different from PowerPoint. He says that most presentations are linear. He asserts that PowerPoint is more flexible for that use and a lot can be done with it. PowerPoint offers more clout to the written content, while Prezi has more emphasis on visual. He also suggests that one can create a very texty Prezi and very visual PowerPoint .
Phil claims that the most significant difference between PowerPoint and Prezi is the linear nature of PowerPoint and the non-linear structure of Prezi. Apparently, learners are able to use Prezi when creating a mind map around the topic that they have chosen. It is, thus easy for them to select sections that are relevant so as to plan spoken presentation. He goes on to say that learners often find difficulties in planning presentations using PowerPoint. They have a tendency of writing an essay on every slide. Therefore, Prezi is easier to use from the planning point of view since it is possible to get everything down on a page and select the bits which are suitable for presentation .
David Wicks asserts that prezi is a presentation tool which is web-based and makes use of zooming and map layout to reveal contextual relationships that address some of the weaknesses of PowerPoint. He goes on to say that prezi is different from PowerPoint given that it is web-based and uses non-linear navigation. However, it has printing options which are limited. Conversely, PowerPoint makes use of linear navigation and is computer-based. He also claims that this presentation tool has a layout that is slide stack. Besides, it has numerous printing options .
In conclusion, both articles on Prezi vs. PowerPoint by Phil Bird and David Wicks talk about the new age tool for presentation known as Prezi. This presentation tool brings presentations to life and makes the audience more interested and involved in the topic. However, these articles do not go into more details on what PowerPoint does. Both reveal that PowerPoint fades in comparison to prezi, the new age software for presentation . They reveal that Prezi is easier to understand when describing the effect it will have on their jobs by making use of a metaphoric scheme.
References
Bird, P. (2010, July 18). Prezi vs Powerpoint. Retrieved July 18, 2010, from Classroom201X: http://classroom201x.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/prezi-vs-powerpoint/
Bird, P., & Wicks, D. (2013, September 12). Prezi vs Powerpoint Essay. Retrieved September 12, 2013, from AntiEssays: http://www.antiessays.com/free-essays/522271.html
CSC101. (2013, May 11). What is PowerPoint? Retrieved May 11, 2013, from CSC101: http://homepage.cs.uri.edu/tutorials/csc101/powerpoint/power.html
