Reading the slides to the class is just as bad as readig direcly from the textbook. Both of those practices should be avoided. The students can read for themselves, we need to expand on the ideas or topic listed on the power point slides.
Hi Doreen:
Good format you use, and a lot of teachers use it for their advantage. It contributes to the students paying attention more than other PPT delivery methods.
Regards, Barry
PP's are great when used properly. I never read from my power points. What I do is put Key words ONLY on the PP and then I lecture, add case studies and scenarios to each key point. This format keeps the students interested and allows them to retain the key concept while they have fun talking, sharing and providing feedback on each student's thoughts regarding the case studies and scenarios. I have found that students become VERY creative when short key points are illustrated via PP; they utilize all they have learned and keep expanding on the scenarios. Even the shy students get involved and become excited in their ability to ad lib.
Best Regards,
Doreen Giglio
Hi Brian:
I sure don't like lessons like that, so surely the students must not either. Variety both within the slide presenttion, and variety in delivery of multiple media choice along with the PPT probably provide the best all around retention of essential information. More variety is more intersting.
Regards, Barry
It is too easy and too boring for the student to read power point slides, make the content interesting while delivering the information.
Hi Sheila:
PPT can be a powerful teaching adjunct when utilized to maximize it's effectiveness. We have to remember it's just a tool and should not become the focus of the lesson or overpower the points being made.
Regards, Barry
I agree. I love using PPT in my classroom. When I was a student I had instructors do this very thing. I did not understand why I was paying to have someone read to me. I often leave off important information for the sole purpose of being able to say it and at the same time giving them an opportunity to not just learn by reading but by actively writing.
Hi Sophia:
Yeah, just reading slides is pretty boring. Creative and informative slides really take time to develop, and should not occupy the whole period. It's better when you can break it up with other media choices.
Regards, Barry
The best Power Points are thos that are informative to students but not overly done to the point where there is constant reading & reading & reading ...
Hi Mary:
Sometimes, pictures, graphs, diagrams, charts and tables are best viewed as a class via PPT. In this case, it's integral to the lesson. I think reading bullet points, slide after slide ins monotonous to the students and their time could be used more effectively.
Regards, Barry
In my classes I use a great many powerpoint scans. I find that standing up and pointing out various aspects of the pictures (not script)keeps the class more interested and active in discussion of the subject matter.
Hi Bonnielee:
Yes, stories and career information contribution a lot to just the PPT information. Students remember things they can relate to, and these past experiences are usually quite memorable.
Regards, Barry
I love power points. I however, have a dual purpose for them. I use them as a guide for myself to ensure I cover all necessary information of the topic but also as source for the students. They can follow along in the book, or take notes. I very often interject information, career stories, personal experiences, examples etc. when presenting.
Hi Kassy:
Great!. There are so many other media choiuces that can integrated into effective lessons. Also, ppt is merely a tool, and the tool should not be a focus of attention.
Regards, Barry
Thank you! I think it is a great insult to students to be "read to". They can read. It is our job as instructors to provide insight into the content presented, not to reiterate it.
Hi Karen:
Good aspirations for want to improve! A suggestion: Consider having some of your students read the bullet points. As they read, that may give you time to gather your thoughts and perhaps an idea or two may come to mind that you want to elaborate on. You can just hold up the students before progressing and make your comments. Then continue on until more inspired comments from you appear. It's a simple technique but I think, given what you stated in your post, this would be helpful for you.
Regards, Barry
I want to be able to talk about other information related to the information on the slide rather than read the slide. Unfortunately, I have not taught the class enough to be able to do that easily and get the important information to the students. I have started by adding the information I want to address on another source. As I do this more, it is becoming easier to give the information without reading the slides. I still have to refer to the slide to make sure that the information from my "ad libs" correlate with the slide.
Hi Sue:
PPT's can be a blessing and a curse, the latter more similar to what you describe. PPT is a tool and such should not be the focus of the learning but merely a means to convey essential material. It should assist the teacher (i.e., tool), not dominate the lesson.
Regards, Barry
I have taken classes to further my teaching skills and I can think of several classes that the instructor simply read the information from the slide. Never adding any additional information or examples. Would this be because the instructor felt unsure of the topic or hadn't prepared for the class?
I will make my classes interesting and informative by using examples and personal experiences to go with the subject matter.
Hi William:
Great! Better PPT's provide bullet points of essential information and are best used as a guide for discussion. It is presumed class participants can read, so let them follow along on their own. They'll be able to track where the teacher is in the discussion. Exceptions to this (for PPT) are intricate diagrams, artwork, photographs, graphic representations, or technical verbiage that is read verbatim for emphasis.
Regards, Barry
