Power Point Presentations
We are required to give our theory lecture presentations through power point. Is it better to let the students take notes from the power point or to run off a copy of the power point and have them fill in notes on the lines next to each slide. Part of me feels that this would help them have a better study guide. However, when the have to take notes and just look at the slide, making them write down everything might make them retain the material better. I have mixed emotions about this and would like some guidance on these thoughts.
Rose Anne,
They are a good way to involve different senses as well as keep the focus of students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I loved power point presentations. I think it is a great way to teach students both the visual and lecture. You can also print out the slides for notes.
Gina,
If you provide them vital information in addition to the illustrations on the PP I think you will get good results. If your PPs are just slide after slide of lists then the note taking process will break down.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am interested to see how well the students absorb the knowledge while taking notes from the power point.
Brad,
I think PP is a cop out when it is used to pound the information onto the students. PP should be used to enhance and expand the content being presented. If they are being used that way then they are appropriate, if they are being used to fill up time then they should not be used.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach med term and AP. I am a new teacher and only use PP. I sometimes feel that just using PP is a cop out. Is it?
Michael,
Good question and one that has mixed answers. Some instructors think that posted PowerPoints help the students with note taking and others think it distracts. Personal experience has shown me that the best learning method for my students is to share PPs in class along with guided notes. This way I can keep the attention of students while they highlight and add to the guided notes. I think the answer depends a lot on the instructional methods being used and the content being shared.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have mixed feelings about posting PowerPoint's on the portal. I have done it in some classes and not in others. I am looking for feedback on note taking by the students.
I watch quiz scores to determine if the students are getting the ideas presented and make my decisions regarding posting lecture notes.
Way back when I was a college student note taking was part of a learning process.
Does providing PowerPoint's hinder that process of organizing material from lecture?
JanetMarie,
This is a logical and supportive way to share your information with your students while helping them to make progress in the course. It speaks of good instructional planning on your part.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I share my PP slides on the portal so my students aren't frantically writing to get do every word I say. Not everyone take good notes and doesn't know instinctively what's important/not important. I help take away the guess work. For my older students or students with learning disabilities, it is way to modify instruction to help them be successful in class.
Georgianna,
I like the guided notes method because it gives the students more opportunity to focus on the information that is being shared rather than trying to get every word in their notes. With guided notes you can supply as much or as little information as you want in relation to the lecture. A simple overview outline or sections supplied in support of each main topic. You may want to experiment and see what type of guided note format works best.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
