Don't read the slides!!!!!
"Don't read the text on the slide. Make "ad-lib" remarks or supportive commentary about the slide. This gives students additional information about the material that is being presented."
This is the single most important and most abused behavior in the classroom today, even amongst experienced instuctors. It is incumbent on every instructor to make sure that they don't fall into this trap. There is nothing wrong with allowing the students to read the slides themselves without hearing the sound of our own voices. I would even go so far as to suggest that you appoint a student the responsibity of pointing out if you start reading the slides.
Hi Miguel:
PPT can be great tool or dampen the importance of a lesson. As a tool, it assists, not dominates the lesson. When used with discussion, whiteboard, and exercises that promote thought, the PPT tool is being used appropriately.
Regards, Barry
I agree. Reading the slides tells the students that you are not as familiar with the topic as you should be. It becomes a credibility issue.
Hi John:
Students can read. PPT works best when facilitating a discussion, preferably led by students, and integrated with other media (flip chart, training aids, white board, demonstrayions, etc.).
Regards, Barry
I agree with William. Reading the slide to the class is the worst thing an instructor can do to his class. Find a style to prove to your students that you know your stuff.
Tracy:
Part of the preparation processs is to think about how students may perceive or relate to the material. Students can read about 10 times faster than we can speak. So if 5-6 bullet points are displayed, we can be discussing some finer points or expanding on bullet points as they read and still hear and see both satisfactorily.
Regards, Barry
I agree! Not only do the students get bored with the lecture it also shows that the instructor is not confident on the material.
Hi Francis:
Sure, all activities have to be neat, organized - seamless. And variety in selecting media really adds much to keeping student's attention and retention of information.
Really good PPT's take time and planning to put together, even though the final product appears simple and uncomplicated. But someone's time and care went into making the slides look like that. It's like good performoers or atheletes - they make the very difficult look so smooth and effortless. We can be those same kind of champions if we choose to be.
Regards, Barry
Hi Brian:
I agree. Simply stated, the better PPT's are guides for discussion and elaboration. Exceptions would be detailed graphs, charts, or tables.
Regards, Barry
Glad to see the thread includes some defenders of PPT (used properly). Dog-piling on the presentation format is weak. The comment about reading from books reveals the same abuse of a fundamental tool (textbook). But whiteboards tended to escape the same level of scrutiny. Ever walk into a classroom after a white board manic has been at it? It's indecipherable. The thread suggests using tools prpoperly and in an appropriate media mix to elicit discussion. Whiteboards, flip charts, butcher block paper... it requires a plan for using the media/space. End product should meet the same standards as everything else in terms of organization, neatness, and professional appearance.
This is one of the most common mistakes that I see in the classroom. While I don't use them for a number of my classes I do encourage faculty members who do use them to get training in the use of the delivery method because if used in the wrong way the students get bored easily.
Hi Matthew:
Well, definitely less than wonderfully fulfilling! Discussion and elaboration of slide summary points offer the best of what PPT has to offer. It's a tool, and should not be the focus of the presentation, just a media delivery device. I had my overhead lights lights configured so most of the lights in the room are on except the ones immediately in front of the screen. This allows me to demonstrate, write on the white board, or engage and interact with students.
Regards, Barry
It puts my daughter to sleep at bed time without fail :)
Hi Alison:
Here's another way a teacher can use PPT to help them remember all they want to share with students. In my classrooms, each computer has a monitor that allows me to read from the computer screen while the LCD projector is turned off. I use a remote advance slide device. So, I can look at the screen with the large type print with key notes on what I'm covering and remotely advance the slides. Also, I can then turn on the LCD projector if there is an image, photo, graph, or illustration I wish to show the students. The rest of the time I'm using the white board, referencing information from their text, or engaging in discussion.
Regards, Barry
I also use pp as a tool to keep myself on track. It's a great way to remember all the information I intended to deliver. I also incorporate different handouts and activities with pp.
Hi Jamie:
Reading a short passage or referencing a section from a text is obviously a necessary part of most courses. It would think that reading that takes more a a minute or two is starting to be excessive (English Lit and/or philosophy courses excepted).
Regards, Barry
Hi Christine:
Yes, the interaction, or put another way, discussion realted to the slides, or involving students by having them explain their knowledge form information on a slide, then the teacher filling in any missing parts. The more students participate, the better the information retention.
Regards, Barry
I've seen instructors read out of books as well. Very boring and doesn't keep the students attention.
Anyone can read. You need to interact and show students you know your material.
Hi Victoria:
Right, expand the information. We are are teachers and to the students, the subject matter experts. So, they should expect more from their instructor than just routine reading - that's not teaching. Same with PPT. It's a tool that may help the teacher get their point across but not dominate the instructional period.
Regards, Barry
