In most cases Powerpoint presentations if put together right can be a big asset. Some presentations are just too wordy and can be very boring.
Hi Earnest:
You've listed several good points tha summarize many if not most classes. Although these aren't specific iut seems like they'd be applicable to most situations. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Barry
Hi Steve:
There are many media choices at our disposal. Finding those that work best for us as instructors, and that the students can relate to ultimately t5akes time - trial and error - but it usually is defined after a few class sessions.
Regards, Barry
Hi Richard:
Identifying what media you're most comfortable with is key to refining your instructional skills. Balancing your strengths along with the neededed lesson topics will prove most beneficial to your students.
Regards, Barry
One reason would be my own comfort level with the media. If it does not feel right to me, it may reflect poorly on the lesson. Another is the desired effect. Some forms of media do a good job with helping to get the point across. Since I am not a good artist, I need to rely more on a powerpoint slide or an overhead projector so I can just add to an illustration rather than attempt to poorly draw one myself.
Ease becomes choice 1 that is how my curriculum is set up,I do however plan questions and diversions off of the slides.
There are three reasons:
1.It fits the content/subject.
2.It provides an arousal jag/stimulus.
3.It is available and manageable.
Hi Joseph:
Good use of a variety of media. There's nothing that says an instructor has to use a lot of media per se. Oftentimes some variety adds a bit of instructional "color" to an otherwise bland lesson. Plus, pictures, graphs, or specific illustrations can convey ideas or impart information at least as well as words presented in a discussion or lecture format alone.
Regards, Barry
I am very selective when it comes to using media in my classrooms. Many instructors depend heavily on the use of media to present their subject matter. However, I only use it to key on certain points that need more elaborate illustartion to drive home the lesson. When teaching about Italian cuisine, I use an overhead projector with an overlay of the map of Italy to point out different regions and different cusines within the country. I also use powepoints of images of foods that are not available elsewhere in their curriculum. Occasionally I will run a video that is instructive in its nature to demonstarte a technique in a much clearer more instructional way than if I did it myself. We then talk about what we have seen and then proceed to try and imitate what was just seen on the screen.
Hi Robert:
Good - these are all good ideas. Of course, the trick is always to find those "best practices" that'll work with the group your currently responsible for. I would agree that using a variety of media will reach the most number of students.
Regrads, Barry
When selecting media for use in the classroom, I first envision the classroom setting. I consider what has or has not worked in the past and then begin investigating which types of media are available. Additionally, I try to use a variety of presenting media to increase the number of students who will benefit from the training.
Hi Jack:
It's somewhat unfortunate that you have some limitations in this regard. To me, this means that an instructor will have work very creatively to use the material that have access to. But I wouldn't view that as a limitation in how creative you can be. I'm sure there is much that can be worked to assist students, even if it's a bit outside the norm of how classes have been conducted in the past.
Regards, Barry
most of are media comes from our curriculum dept. and we are not allowed to use any thing else do to copyright laws.
Hi Kerry:
Blackboard is a popular and powerful program, among several others out there that positively contribute to the students interfacing with faculty apart from face-to-face interactions. Experienced users (instructors and studenrs) that benefit most will explore its many features and utilize its capabilities to maximum effectiveness.
Regards, Barry
As an online instructor, the media that we/I use is determined by the capabilities of Blackboard--which are many!!!
I think that it's exactly the diversity of presentation options that makes this type of instruction so exciting!!!
Kerry
I use several different types of media. I use personal experiance, component pass arounds, slide shows, pictures and at times have the students draw components that make up an automotive air conditioning system. The students find any and all info about the component they have been assigned, they draw them and present their findings to the class. It is a nice e.l. activity and they seem to enjoy and learn from it. To have students sit through 5 hours of lecture without mixing things up is pure torture for myself and them.
Hi Kerry:
Great! There's no reason to think others would view this perspective as anything unusual. Better instructors always have their students interest in mind and will provide the extra effort, time, and availability to assure their students excell.
Regards, Barry
I have only one 'conscience" reason for everything I do in any class; enriching the opportunity for student learning to occur!!
That's it--period.
I'm not even trying to be politically correct--it's really true!
Kerry M.
Hi Douglas:
In instances where the institution decides how classes are structured and media resources utilized, we're given the opportunityy to be creative with what we've got. PPT's can be helpful if they're not relied on as the sole source of information (that should come the the instructor-expert). Also, PPT's can be a starting point for discussions, student led reviews of material, and even lesson reviews. There'd really a lot that a well constructed PPT can achieve.
Regards, Barry
The media form is set by the school and is usually a powerpoint.
