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EDUCATION RESOURCE GUIDE P e r i s c o p e What is this? Periscope is a free app for iPhone and Android devices that allows users to broadcast a live video stream of any event that other users can watch. A chat window allows the viewers to interact with the user running the stream in real time. What are the benefits to educators? One of the more obvious benefits of Periscope is the app's abil - ity to give viewers a live look into any situation the broadcaster wants them to see. The streaming service could theoretically give students a "field trip" without having them leave class for a ridealong or similar activity. There are other, more out-of-the-box applications as well. The service can be used to be more inclusive of absent or distance-education students, or could be used to host small group discussions. Where can I learn more? Visit www.periscope.tv or search for it in your device's marketplace. ' M e d B o t s ' P r o v i d e O p t i o n s f o r D i s t a n ce E d u c a t i o n How many of you know what a mobile virtual presence device is? Think of it as a robot stick figure. Double Robotics uses an iPad Air 2 mounted on a pole attached to a set of wheels. The pole can be extended or retracted to put the iPad at different heights. The devices have dual cameras, one looking forward and one looking down. The camera pointed down is to assist in moving. Using the webcam of an iPad, a user can see what is in front of them as they roll the device around. Someone looking at the device can see and interact with the user on the screen. The user can be any- where in the world as long as both users have a Wi-Fi connection. "In the traditional smart classroom used for distance learning, the cameras in the room don't move. With these devices, the stu- dents can move the device and look at who is talking or face some- one they want to talk to. We are calling them MedBots," says David Gurchiek, PhD, a former paramedic and current department chair for Montana State University's nursing, health and public safety programs in Billings, MT. "We currently have online and hybrid training programs that include online and lab skills days at the university," explains Gurchiek. "As far as I can tell, no one else is using these devices for paramedic training." What Gurchiek realized was, the lab students could see patient simulators lying on the floor with the camera pointed downward. The student user can control the MedBot from another iPad or a computer. When someone looks at the MedBot, they will see the user's face via the webcam of the user's device. Since the MedBot moves, the student can roll to a location around the patient to get a different view or get a better look at a monitor, etc. The instruc- tors will design the lab situations so the students using the device will be able to move around and see everything they need to see to assess the patient. "The way we see this being used is the distant student using the MedBot will be the team leader and will direct the care of the other students who are actually in the room with the simulator," says Gurchiek. "The distance learners will still come to class on certain days to do the individual psychomotor skills." Barry D. Smith is an instructor in the Education Department at the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) in Reno, NV. Contact him at bsmith@remsa-cf.com. P r e z i What is this? Prezi is a presentation software somewhat simi- lar to Microsoft Power- Point. As opposed to Pow- erPoint, which allows users to create linear, slide-based presen- tation, Prezi offers more an open-world concept. Users are given more of an interactive canvas, allowing them to zoom in and out to show different pieces of the presentation. There is a subscription fee of at least $4.92 per month. What are the benefits to educators? Prezi offers a more engaging and interactive experience for stu- dents. The interactivity and different canvas options chip away at the standard presentation, which can leave students bored or inattentive. The completely open canvas and storage options allow educators to make the presentation as large as they choose without having to save overly cumbersome files to their computer. A wide variation of available templates online gives users options to fit the tones and themes of their presentations. Where can I learn more? Visit www.prezi.com . EMSWORLD.com | MAY 2016 15