I feel that Slide Share and other presentation sharing applications helps learners to meet course objectives. Learners have the opportunity to view and search presentations on a topic of study or interest. This can be a motivating starting point for them to create their own presentations to post and share with others. As a result, learners are engaged in what they are creating which in the end shows their mastery of knowledge content.
Heinz,
Sounds like they lack confidence, which comes in time. Requiring students to present work in most if not all classes is to their benefit down the line when they go on job interviews, give presentations at work, or deal with clients/patients. As an educator, it is uncomfortable at first but a necessary evil like teaching a child to ride a bike- they will fall down, but with practice they will master the skill in no time.
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
LE,
You bring up a great point. Providing copies of PowerPoint presentations in advance does allow the students the opportunity to focus on the material being presented. SlideShare is a great community for sharing teaching materials, I am glad you have found ways to incorporate this resource into your curriculum.
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
At the college where I work, I find that a large percentage of new students are not as technology savy as anticipated and are reluctant to use any technology presentations that others might see.
The ability for students to obtain copies of a presentation before class often helps the student focus on what is being communicated. I have found that students seem to be much more involved when they have the slides and can make notes on them. Rather than the situation where the student is trying to take detailed notes on a blank page. This seems to pull their attention from the presentation and toward the task of taking detailed notes.
Another benefit of slide sharing sites lay in the ability of instructors to share relevant materials. Many courses have similar or overlapping content. By sharing slides and information instructors can work together and build high quality slides that are shared.
An application like Slide Share can be effective when students do their class presentations or teachers are delivering class information.SlideShare would help keep the audience engaged as opposed to a regular power point or whiteboard presentation.
There could be a problem regarding students really learning the courses important content or information, will the student take the time to study and learn beyond what is presented on Slide Share.
Brent,
SlideShare also provides an excellent opportunity for learners to synthesize information and share their knowledge with others. Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
By incorporating SlideShare, the class has the ability to view other presentations on the same material that the instructor has presented. This can give the students the opportunity to experience other views and methods of presentation that will hopefully heighten their understanding of the concepts.
Irwin,
You bring up a fantastic point. Over the past five years or so, I personally have witnessed an increase in students who are brought before Honor Council accused of plagiarism, many of whom claimed to be genuinely surprised by this accusation. This digital generation has grown up in this information sharing culture where as in generations past information sharing was more on a need to know basis. I feel as educators we need to clearly define plagiarism, teach this generation how to properly cite sources, and give them the tools they need to feel confident expressing their own opinion. Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
An advantage of using an application such as SlideShare is that students will be more likely to collaborate and share resources and knowledge. A drawback to such an application is that some students may piggyback on the work of others. Though learning can occur through collaborative efforts, too much sharing may encourage some students to become less invested in creating meaningful work.
