powerpoint & overhead transparencies
My feeling is that varying overhead transparencies with powerpont breaks the
monotony and adds to presentation.
I tend to agree with you. A mix is probably
better. Heavy use of powerpoint can easily
become a crutch for a teacher, and tend to reduce his own careful research of core ideas
and their best presentation.
Mark S.
Hi Mark:
The strongest point I find myself agreeing with is that using a variety of approaches is the best way to break the monotony that can be associated with any topic.
Regards, Barry
Hi Virginia:
You touched on some good points.
* Contemporary LCD projectors should allow the lights to be on, or maybe dimmed.
* Better PPT's provide only bullet point or talking poits for the instructor tonengage a discussion (or the students to elaborate).
* The lecture should not be totally contained on the PPT. For most lessons, there just too much information to try to fit it all on slides.
* Summarized information allows for more pertinent, individualized, and on the spot material to be presented.
* PPT works best in conjuction with a flip chart or white board to supplement the lecture or lesson points.
* Assing a student (or a small group of 2-3) to present a given slide will be much more meaningful that the teacher talking about it. The teacher can always backfill any missed or essential information.
I like the overhead too. But I've found that in the past 5-6 years, I end up making a PPT slide, then printing it on the overhead transparency. This is especially helpful if I want to write on the transparency. Also, you almost have to have the room darkened with the overhead, which for night students will be a challenge to keep their focus and attention (unless you get them involved in the instructional process).
Regards, Barry
I think that the value of overhead transparencies is that you can write on them during the presentation. Power points are wonderful, but they are a completed product. The tranparencies can help during a verbal discussion where the instructor can add to a list, or concept and engage the students. I like power points, but sometimes I find they put students to sleep--room is dark, instructor is talking, and my evening class comes tired to start with---easy for some to drift off. The transparencies keep the conversation going.
