Analysis by Comparison and Contrast:
Analysis by Comparison and Contrast: PowerPoint or Prezi
Presentations have become a necessary tool to disseminated crucial information for academic and organizational settings. Previous generations have relied heavily on the blackboard to write lecture notes and relevant information that are deemed needed by learners. This was augmented by whiteboards, also in the distant past. Other forms of presentation used materials such as posters, illustration boards, and other canvass where texts and pictures were drawn using pen and paint, as needed. The last addition to the paper and plastic-based presentation materials included transparencies where texts, graphs, and relevant illustrations were drawn, copied, or printed for viewing from overhead projectors. Only recently, at the onset of the internet and software applications did Microsoft through its presentation program, PowerPoint, revolutionize presentations in academic institutions; as well as in public and private organizations. Then, in contemporary times, another presentation program, the Prezi, was developed and designed to provide a more dynamic opportunity to enliven audio-visual presentation in more interesting ways. In this regard, the current discourse hereby aims to compare and contrast these two presentation programs: PowerPoint and Prezi in a specific scenario which entails giving a presentation to one’s colleagues about an anticipated equipment upgrade.
The structure of the paper would first provide a brief overview, characteristics, and features of the PowerPoint and of the Prezi; prior to clearly detailing their similarities and disparities, as needed. The final section would recommend which presentation program would be most appropriate as a presentation tool about the anticipated equipment update.
PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint was described as a presentation program that was designed and developed by Microsoft . It was deemed included in the Microsoft Office program along with other programs, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. These presentations are created from a template where designs could be selected and options for changes in font, texts, images, and even sound or visual effects could be instituted by the user according to the requirements of the presentation. These presentations are created and designed into slides; thus, new and additional information are created through additional slides until all learning concepts and data for dissemination to the target audience have been aptly designed. Likewise, the manner by which these slides could be actually presented could still be formatted according to present intervals or manually; and could also be designed with customized effects.
Prezi
The Prezi was appropriately described as “a virtual whiteboard that transforms presentations from monologues into conversations: enabling people to see, understand, and remember ideas” (Prezi, Inc., 2013, par. 2). According to Bird (2012), the Prezi is slowly gaining popularity due to its more widely encompassing dynamic applications which was seen to be more liberating and engaging, to wit: “Prezi, an online, non-linear presentation tool became popular because of its visually appealing and refreshing effectsPrezi is popular because of its zooming in effect and seamless movements across the canvass” .
The Scenario
The scenario to be presented is an anticipated equipment update. As such, one could visualize that the details needed in the presentation would include the following information: (1) the current status of the equipment (including features, capacities, remaining life span; and any remaining resale or residual value); (2) the details for the needed equipment update which could include: cost of updating the equipment; additional features or capacities; how long would updating increase the life span of the equipment; and (3) any other alternative courses such as purchasing a new equipment to include cost and benefit analysis.
Comparative Analysis: Prezi versus Powerpoint
The disparities between the two presentation programs are as follows: (1) in terms of navigation where Prezi was noted to be non-linear; while PowerPoint is linear; (2) the format for Prezi was map format; while PowerPoint is slide stack format; (3) Prezi was reported to be web-based; while Powerpoint was more computer-based; and finally, (4) Prezi was disclosed to have limited printing capabilities as contrasted to the multiple printing options .
Program that is Best for the Presentation of Equipment Update
Since the scenario was really straightforward where information to be disclosed, as identified above requires bullet points in cost-benefit analysis format, the visual features of Prezi is not necessarily needed. Prezi presentation would be most appropriate for new product offers or strategies that would necessitate creative designs to persuade the decision makers on the innovativeness of the proposals. Since the scenario needs to detail costs and benefits of the equipment update, to be compared to current capacities of the equipment, the decision-makers would appreciate a more formal presentation structured through the slice stack format and which could be printed accordingly for further review of the decision-makers, as required.
References
Bird, P. (2012, July 19). Prezi vs. Powerpoint. Retrieved from alanberaquit.weebly.com: http://alanberaquit.weebly.com/1/post/2012/07/prezi-vs-powerpoint.html
Prezi, Inc. (2013). Ideas Matter. Retrieved from prezi.com: http://prezi.com/about/
TechTerms. (2008, May 5). PowerPoint. Retrieved from techterms.com: http://www.techterms.com/definition/powerpoint
Wicks, D. (2013). Prezi or PowerPoint- Difference between Prezi and PowerPoint. Retrieved from YouTube/Seattle Pacific: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL8_FftJB8w
