I select instructional media depending on the nature of the class I am teaching and the subject material being taught. I teach a Pain Management class in which students are instructed to perform various dental injections. In this case video segments are very valuable as the students watch techniques successfully performed on actual patients. No other medium would covey the information students need absorb better than letting them observe the exact technique they are going to duplicate.
Generally, power point presentation work effectively for me for most of the classes I teach. Often students will ask questions that are not well illustrated in the power point presentation or in the text, and in these cases I really like the white board. I like to do quick illustrative sketches. A "visual" is truly worth a thousand words. White boards are also great for listing various student responses to a given question, or for showing how different concepts interelate.
I have not used overhead projectors for transparencies, but would not rule them out
Jason,
Like all media, PPT is a tool, and tools are designed with a specific purpose and use. Using the wrong tool for a job can complicate matters. In my opinion, PPT slides should be used carefully and selectively to avoid abuse and or over use. Two components, the design of the slides, and the delivery of slide presentation are both in play, and subject to appropriate use. I think the biggest error instructors make is just because a tool is available (PPT), doesn't mean it has to dominate the presentation of course material. Like the old quip, "to a hammer, everything is a nail".
Barry Westling
generally speaking, I HATE using PowerPoint in class - though I have recently begun to "come around" for certain applications...
it can be a very useful medium in Camera and Lighting classes - to demonstrate specific shots, techniques, etc...
when using PowerPoint, I prefer to keep my slides clean and specific...animation can be useful to call attention to specific areas of an image that illustrate the concept being discussed...
when well utilized, PowerPoint can an excellent tool to assist with student learning and retention...
Dawn,
Great. Younger students are more accustomed to faster paced technology and need a variety of media to keep their attention. One trick I've learned is to make numerous references to the work setting their being trained for. This helps keep attention because they see benefit to themselves and merit in the information.
Barry Westling
When choosing media, I take into consideration the age of my students and what types I have already used. I have heard students complaining about instructors who use PPTs all the time. Even when using PPTs, I will include Jog Your Memory questions, a question about something on a previous slide. If it is an important point, I would ask the same question several times in different ways.
Meagan,
Delivery methods that vary the way students learn will assure you capture the majority of your audience. Plus the variety helps keep interest, and that leads to better retention of needed information.
Barry Westling
I attempt to use multi medias to deliever content. I want to make it a level playing field for all learning styles.
Deward,
Very true. These days,there is so much good media choices available, we have to be very selective in what we choose for these students, in this class, on this day. It may be completely different from the same topic delivered in a previous class, but our goal is to choose the media that conveys our message ond information for our current students.
Barry Westling
With the vast amount of media learning available, you can be more specific to the needs of the student for that day.
Brian,
Yeah, there is so much out there these days we really have to be selective in our choices for what we're going to use for delievery or involvement with students. It's like there's the accetabale, the good, and the great (or perfect) learning resources and media that make classes interesting and engage students. We don't want students to feel we're wasting their time with "filler" information.
Barry Westling
The media should be helpful or essential to the presentation of the content. Anything dynamic, such as video, can be very useful. Not always, however. A video of paint drying is still just paint drying.
James,
I think interactive PPT's are a great learning tool. With PPT, you can integrate live asction and discussion with lecture and similar delivery methods. Clicking on embeded links (even You-Tube) can add to the presentation by amplyifying key popints that reinforce the emphasis you're wanting.
Barry Westling
Greetings Barry,
Since my classroom is a functioning restaurant, there are multiple tools that can be used to re-enforce learning by utilizing all of the students senses.
Power point presentations are useful in the presentaion of concepts and outlining instruction for learning; students are then able to handle small-wares and develop muscle memory by practicing the rudiments outlined in the power points.
Using white boards for outlining and setting goals such as up-coming tests and practical exams has proven to be beneficial, especially if the students are adults who lead busy lives with family and careers.
Do you feel that re-enforcing power points with written material and recommended web-sites is helpful or detracting from the training process?
Jim Baker
Velma,
Sounds great! Variety, creative resources, participation and interesting activities - all these contribute to the higher level student learning outcomes.
Barry Westling
Velma,
Great! This is an example of collaborative learning and garners student participation that is active and engaged. Student retention will be improved as the result.
Barry Westling
Having the students participating by doing return demonstrations and practice until skill is learned is an excellent opportunity for the students. Being creative is what most Instructors strive to be because of the limitation in either time or additional resources. Having a guest presenter visit the classroom is also another way that sometimes media is brought into the classroom.
Velma
I absolutely agree that a PPP can loose it's effectiveness if that is all the students are presented. I have also included questions for discussion with the class as an entire group, and breakout group sessions where students work in smaller groups then return to the larger group to summarize information.
Craig,
The thing that confirms this point is student comments, participation, and ultimately, outcomes.
Barry Westling
Jeannine,
Right! PPT is a tool, and few tools can do every job effectively. Mixing up delivery methods with a variety of media choices provides the best opportunity for instructors to cover the course objectives while maintaining an interesting and enjoyable learning environment for students.
Barry Westling
Agreed.
if used effectively, the more resources the better the outcome. Learning resources incorporated into a well prepared teaching plan will yield positive results!
