Power Point Presentations
I attempt to create PP presentations to introduce every new topic. They are quick and easy to prepare and students respond well to this visual presentation of material.
Patrick,
Yes. It would be so obvious an abuse if one did the same thing, but on a white board.
Barry Westling
I have often seen other instructors abuse the use of ppt because they either read only what is on the slide or have a long paragraph. Students who see this will become bored and wonder off the topic.
Cherie,
Humor, especially that which amplifies the commonality of human nature, is always a good way to begin or end a section, transition to a new point, or summarize a lesson. Same would be true with a video segment. Unless it is an instructional piece, I try to keep transitional or illustrative videos to under a minute because many students have short attention spans, and longer segments tend to lose their impact.
Barry Westling
A good PPT will keep the instructor on topic and provide a summary to the student as to what concept(s) is being delivered. When possible, I will icorporate a video or funny animated slide to engage the students, and make them laugh. I believe that some of the best learning occurs when a student is having fun!
Thank you,I will try your suggestion.
Eleni,
It's surely unfortunate when a terrific tool such as PPT is misused. If there was time, one way to make use of these prepared slides might be to use them for review. Or, have individual students come up to the front of the class and "discuss" the points on a slidea, then go the next slide, next student, etc. it'd be a great way to engage as well as demonstrate understanding.
Barry Westling
I think power points or key notes are a great way to deliver information in short bursts. Unfortunately I work for a technical school that has created power points with too much content on each slide. The slides are busy; the pictures chosen are blurry and overall ineffectual. Power points can be a great tool if used effectively, if not they can be confusing and boring.
I choose to use them as a tool to highlight or illustrate certain things as I am lecturing, rather than read directly from the slides, what a snooze fest!
Bernadette,
Great! This probably also helps you as well in framing how you expect the class and topic to flow.
Barry Westling
PP presentations are a great way for students to follow along on new topics and get the bullet points to take notes.
