Tina Cuth CHEP

Hi Kathleen,

I use powerpoint presentation in my classes, but I have created my own using characters to emphasize important issues. My students have done well. I continue to empress on them to review the book, but what I have in the powerpoint presentation are the rules we need to follow when doing are jobs. Once the rules are established I then provide interaction of the students in projects weekly so I am sure they understood what they have learned. It has been very sucessful. Variety in teaching is really important for your student to remain interested throughout the semester.

Tina Cuth CHEP

I could not agree with you more about the publiher PPT. One chapter may have 167 slides, come on I would have trouble concentrating after the first twenty-five. What I have done in my medical coding class is down size the PPT put my own spin on what is necessary to learn, to do the job. My PPT do not usually have more than twenty slides. I try to produce an easier learning experience for the students. I use images as well as color that is inviting to the eye. I have had real sucess in my last class, no one failed, and the students really gave me a good evaluation.

Barry Westling

Hi Joseph:
Keep in mind the idea of balance. Here, you're describing very well the minimal use of PP combined with Q&A and discussion. Great! Any presentation should be ideally using a multi-level approach similar to this.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Kathleen:
it's true, we don't absolutely need ANY type of presentation media. Like you've described before, the most effective method is using a variety of approaches to present the information to enhance learning.

Regards, Barry

Joseph Swantek

If I use a powerpoint presentation I'll make my own, and keep it as short as possible allowing plenty of time for questions and discussions.

Kathleen Meskunas CHEP

I also do not use powerpoint. I find it very ineffective towards my students learning. I am a very vocal, entertatining instructor with lots of motion and animation as well as drawings on the smartboard. I find the students are more interested in the information that I have to pass on to them, then whats on the powerpoint.

Barry Westling

Hi Annette:
Too much information on PPT whether it's on a single slide or a group of slides can lose it's effectivesness regardless how good or worthwhile the information is. Breaking information into smaller parts, and combining PPT with other visual or learner activities makes for more interesting and enjoyable learning sessions.

Regards, Barry

Annette LaCivita

I agree. Some of the slides have too much text on them. I use these slides form the publisher as a guidline, I pull information out of them and use them in my own powerpoint slides. In massage we of course are "hands on", but I like to put the direction of strokes and information about a certain technique on a powerpoint, then we perform the actual technique. Students get the best of both worlds, through sight, and most importantly touch.

Barry Westling

Hi Roger:
Good PPT's take time to create (but practice makes perfect), and when you can customize them to your lesson, they'll have more powerful learning effects that canned lessons from publishers.

Really, the publishers versions are really nothing more than PPT version of chapter outlines. Students don't need to be subjcted to that when they have the expert standin front of the room.

As stated, mixing PPT with other media (whiteboard, overheard, models or teaching aids, written exercises, etc) makes for more interesting and enjoyable lessons. These are usually more memorable too.

Regards, Barry

Roger Howard

I don't mind using some of the publishers slides but I prefer to make my own. I can tailor the slides to student experiences. The canned publisher slides can be a bit too sterile and if I use photos of places from around town or where a couple of the students work, I get everyone's attention. The students are more attentive and seem to appreciate the attention.

I also try to incorporate humor and silly graphics into the slide presentation. It keeps everyone a bit more relaxed and focused.

Barry Westling

Hi Robert:
Yes, PPT is a powerful instructional tool, but it has itr's limitations and prefered uses.

I think it's great if there are images: photo's, illustrations, diagrams, graphhs, charts, schematictic, or perhapssimplied artist rendering of complex problems or concepts.

For regular lessons, several very well constructed slides that convey an idea, or promote discussion or a spingboard to reinforce the lecture are best. These slides can be supplemented with use of the whiteboard, flipchart, models and manikins, handouts, DVD's/video-tape, overhead projector, or wall size post-it notes if refering back to previous points are required.

Together the variety keeps the attention of students and reliance on only one mode of delievery is avoided. This really gives the teacher effective methods to deliver important information.

Regards, Barry

Robert Phillips

Precisely why I rarely use PP, and why the whiteboard is my primary device. Using a whiteboard allows me to visually reinforce the comments made by my students as a way of encouraging them. If I was using PP as my primary presentation method, I would be limited to verbally reinforcing or repeating my students' contributions.
I've seen colleagues use PP but merely read the slides to the students. I wonder - okay, why are you even there as the teacher if all you're doing is reading the slides? As this module suggests, the PP should only be a visual supplement to the instructor. The problem, though, or at least my fear, is that using PP gradually and subtly encourages the instructor to minimize his/her own contributions. I think it becomes a crutch in the delivery of certain material.
(Obviously, I'm speaking of the worse-case scenarios. Quality instructors won't allow this to happen.)

Barry Westling

Hi Jake:
Some students take such vigorous notes, they miss the message. I think this can happen with PPT, and even discussion oriented lectures. What's good about the whiteboard is it's dynamic - allowing the teacher to modify, emphasize, or develop ideas in a more creative manner compared to the "fixed" nature of PPT.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Joseph:
PPT can help, but I agree publisher slides merely are a slide version of an outline oif the textbook. Preety boring, and usually not 100% aligned with the "spin" the teacher wants to put on the class. Individual, custom made PPT slides have much more pizzaz, and usually more information the student can use. Also, When used in conjunction with other media (as you described), PPT can contribute (not dominate) the bouquet of ideas and presentaion delivery that makes learning fun, interesting, and memorable.

Regards, Barry

Jake Williams

I actually prefer using the whiteboard in my English courses, mainly because doing so allows me a little more flexibility and spontaneity in terms of the examples that I use to demonstrate class material. It also allows me to provide specific examples/explanations for the particular students in any given lecture.

Barry Westling

Hi Kathleen:
I think the publishers slides are okay inasmuch as they're simply outlineing the textbook. Usually, the cmore colorful diagrams, photgraphs, charts, and illustrations can be added to individualized developed programs.

I try to emphasize that PPT is just a tool and should dominate or be the focus of attention. As you say, blending with other media is best.

Regards, Barry

Kathleen Zegalia

Powerpoint can have its place if you selectively use the ones from the publisher. Designing your own can be more interesting. Pulling in a variety of media is still the best wat to go because different methods will appeal to different students.