I like to use PP to stress the key points of content material being careful not to depend solely on this method. I think there comes a point when PP can be used too much, especially if it's just a method used to get through the course material.
Craig,
More media, more variety will lead to more interest, retention and better student outcomes.
Barry Westling
the school has DVD's, models, skeleton, charts, etc... that I use as teaching aids.
Depending on the day's lecture topic, I select the media that I believe will work best as part of my presentation (e.g. - the skeletal lecture brings out the skeleton for viewing and touching
Velma,
This sounds very interesting. I would add that along with the PPT slides, active discussion or facilitation is needed. It goes back to an earlier point that PPT is merely a tool, a tool to enhance the information provided by the instructor in a way that is easier to understand for students, provides clarity, or amplifies what the instrrictor has to say. (In instances where the PPT becomes the center of attention, it has lost some of it's effectiveness - there are better ways for students to get information by reading). So, selecting media requires thought, planning, and time (if a good PPT is going to be constructed).
Barry Westling
I select media for content delivery depending on the subject that I am teaching. Many students are familiar with PowerPoint Presentations so I mostly use a PowerPoint during lecture. In addition, I am comfortable using the PowerPoint for presentation and it helps to enhance the lesson. I can add a visual aid (picture) to my presentation, and an actual picture of the subject being discussed really helps the student to see the issue as it is being discussed. The PowerPoint is also Versatile enough so that if I am discussing a skill or procedure a video can be placed in the Presentation that would further enable the student to use an additional sense to aid in retaining the information. Some classes require a return demonstration so students are shown a demonstration which must be returned. In other classes students need to see the object being discussed, so a visual aid with manipulation of the object will be utilized in class.
Susan,
Great! Variety adds so much because students learn better when surrounded with information that stimulates their thinking, is retained, and stored from short term to longer term memory. Lectures are at the lower end of that, while teaching others is at the higher end. So the more activities we can do to get the student actively engaged (like a teacher), the better we are helping them.
Barry Westling
I try to select a variety of media to illustrate important concepts. Although Power Point is the main standby, using graphics, short videos, sound, animations and simple graphs or charts within it helps to reach all of the students, depending on how they learn best.
Jarred,
The combination of diuscussion, with prepared PPT slides, and the active use of the white board is a tried and true tenet for teaching. Getting students up to that white board to particiapte, elaborate, explain or convey ideas strengthens their learning as well.
Barry Westling
I try to use powerpoint presentations to help drive a lecture session where I want us to end up at. I also use the white board and even an overhead projecture to emphasize a point or work through a problem. Probably the biggest asset we have in my lecture environment is a white board that I can right on but then capture my drawings or figures for printing and handout to my students. Because this is a fairly new system I often have to remind myself that I can turn off the presentation and have a better effect on my students using this asset.
Kelsey,
Nothing wrong with lab. Students who get to perform hands on activities often learn more by that methgod than by auditory or visual learning only.
Barry Westling
Unfortunately I don't have a lot of academic freedom in my content delivery of the lecture portion. I am supplied with power point presentation to us. I supplement those with additional graphs, pictures and models, as well as my personal professional experiences.
For the lab portion I have a lot more freedom. So depending on the tasks for the day, I select either models, live patients or real life activities to demonstrate then have the students attempt until they are comfortable with the skill.
Lynne,
Selecting media is so important. As experts in our field, some things may seem obivious, and choosing something that perspective can sometimes leave students a little bit in the dark. Thinking about how the students will receive (or capable of receiving) our media choices is one way to help in the selection process. Of course, anything that stimulates their interest, is enjoyable, or keeps them busy doing something (kinesthetic) usually results in better retention of needed information.
Barry Westling
most of our class lecture is done by power point according to what our topic is. I will also show a film or shor movie also depending on then topic, all of this is subject to the students in class and if I feel they would benefit by the additional film or movie.
Michael,
Sounds pretty high tech there, buddy! Seriously, I think it's important we relate to student "where they are", and the yonger generation has grown up with MTV, video games, and instant-everything. So, keeping their attention will increasingly require we stay in tune with what's going on in their "social-media world".
Barry Westling
I try useing some of the new formats like YouTube to find relevant instructional material.
I have even used some of the humourous "Safety Vid's" to acheive a greater attention rate, as well as promoting safe working habits.
Kathy,
The media we choose can make the difference between mediocre and outstanding, and when its a students education thats involved I don't think we should take the chance or settle for the lesser. These days there is so much media available, it's not just selecting media but choosing the best media, for these students, this time, in this class. It may vary the next go around. Variety is great. And we want to be sure what we choose results in giving the students the best material in order to learn.
Barry Westling
usign differeent materials makes the class more interesting and keeps the class interested
Daniel,
This is a great example of the importance of choosing media carefully. There is so much out there, and it all may good, but we want the best, for this class, at this moment. At other times, other choices may be more applicable.
Barry Westling
I select media based on how well it will help me cover a topic. For example last Friday night we were discussing political aspects of raising and eating veal, so I assigned students the job of bringing in some recent information to talk about. Several students came to class with great information as well as links to some videos on the slaughtering process. The class voted to watch the videos and it lead to a diverse and rich conversation about the viability of using veal on menus.
Norman,
Right. You're like most responsible teachers who carefully consider how best to teach these students in this class at this time. It will vary from class to class. There is so much media available, we really have to be choosy, so we end up with not just the acceptable, but the perfect.
Barry Westling
