Use of Power Point
I prefer Power Point and give each student a paper copy so they do not spend time taking notes and concentrate on listening
Hi Karen:
Great! Variety, especially used along with PPT, keeps students focused and attentive to the topic. Asking questions and having students involved by discussing the material rather than just lecturing will much more memorable.
Regards, Barry
I also add material on the board that they should write down and then use that material on the next exam. It forces them to pay attention so as to not miss test material. I also mix in videos or case studies to break up the monotony.
Hi Thomas:
PPT can be very effective if used appropriately. The PPT itself should not be the focus, but rather the information it contains. PPT is only a tool, or a means to an end.
Regards, Barry
I also find that certain classes of students prefer Power point. While teaching the same class I would get different requests. Some look forward to having it and some don't.
Hi Evelyn:
Notes can be helpful, but I think they are not always needed.
Good PPT slides can be of the summary type, that list the major discussion points, and student need to listen rather than trying to put all of the information into slides.
Graphics, illustrations, photos, schematics, charts, tables - these are great for PPT. Long lists of information do not work for PPT well.
I think of PPT as a tool, and it can overused. The better use is when it is couplesed with other media (Flipchart, whiteboard, posters, handouts), or other delivery methods (discussion, workbook exercises, Q&A, demomstration, etc,).
with the power point you give a copy of it but they can add their own notes.
Hi Melanie:
I think PPT works best when combined with one or two other media or delivery methods simultaneously.
For instance, PPT begins, then I lecture, using the white board for additional emphasis or notation. Then, more to the next set of slides and repeat the process.
Then I might stop, and recap. Recapping can be by students individually, or in discussion groups. I might then ask each group to comment or report on a particular part of the lecture. Or I might summarize the last few points, then move on.
Then, more PPT slides, stop, and have students refer to their textbook. And so on and so on. The blend of delievery methods helps keep attention, is interesting (I hope), and allows for a robust learning or lecture session.
Regards, Barry
I agree with all of the comments. Using PP is important as a tool. I will lecure with the assistance of the PP and then we will have a hands-on portion or in-class activity. I try to incorporate as many learning styles in lecture as possible to enhance learning. As a new instructor I am more at ease with the PP as a guide. I will at times read a bullet point but then furter elaborate on that bullet. It keeps me focused and on track.
Hi Mike:
I agree it's possible for PPT's to assist with lectures. The key to PPT is to try not to make it the focus of the class. PPT is a tool, and it's not the tool that's important but the job the tool can help with. Same with instruction.
I think PPT is a wonderful and powerful tool. But keeping things simple works better. For instance, plain background in a nice, nondistracting color; contrasting font color that is at least 18-20 font size (in Arial). A subject or topic line followed by no more tha 5-6 bullet points is sufficient. We should stay away from long paragraphs or lengthly sentences.
Bullet points can appear all at once, or you can have them "revealed" point by point. But at all cost, we want to avoid reading the slides. Students can do that faster than we can read. This allows us time to fill in with stories, examples, amplified information that pertains to the slides.
PPT also works well when you you have graphs, illustrtaions, charts, tables, or photo's that demonstrate a point.
Just a few suggestions, along with my opinion.
Regards, Barry
I like power point also because it takes the focus off me as the teacher, and moves their attention to the material in an organized way. Students take more notes from my powerpoints than my lectures.
Laquita:
I think teacher should approach PPT only as a tool. The tool is not what is important, it's what the tool can use. So we want to use the tool in the most effective way possible. This takes trial and error, practice, advice from others who are more proficient, and thinking about how the slides will apear to the students, (rather than our great looking slide program).
Regards, Barry
Anne-Marie:
This is one technique that can work. I believe that most students "look ahead" in the handout, and may pay less attention if they feel they already know something that's coming up. Even so, a dynamic lecture that fills in the PPT information with interesting and useful information will usually keep eveyone's attention.
Regards, Barry
i do the same thing, everyone takes notes at a different pace this way every student can get all the information they need.
