Powerpoint and Learning
So many new instructors believe that they need to entertain their students with powerpoints, but they incorrectly use them. These instructors will use powerpoint presentations week after week. They read the slides to the students. It is especially hard in an evening class for four hours where students have spent all day at work and then come to a "movie show" for a class. I think it would be enough to put anyone to sleep. Powerpoint is not meant to be the whole presentation. It should only be used as a visual in an oral presentation (class lecture or demonstration). Powerpoints are suppliments not the material itself. We as instructors need to be high tech but not for the sake of just being high tech. Learning must be our first priority and then technology.
Hi Maria:
To piggy-back on what you wrote, some believe it's actually the most effective method to use as many teaching techniques as they can to keep the energy up and to address as many types of learning styles as possible.
Regards, Barry
I use handouts with a powerpoint, it seems to work well. I ask the students to look them over the day before the presentation. It really helps.
Hi Jen:
Again, the main idea is variety. I agree with you, some PP can be boring, especially if presented in that kind of fashion.
On the other hand, ANY presentation tool can be effective if the delivery is effective.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kathleen:
Indeed, the better idea for power-points is to let the students read the material themselves, and the instructor expounds upon the main ideas.
Regards, Barry
I agree that having every point an instructor will discuss on the slides is not helpful. I've also noticed that when students ask for a handout of the presentation, they will read ahead and tune out, so I don't make those copies.
Selecting the media for learning is very challenging but at the same time people can learn from any form of media. I believe in selecting the proper media in the classroom to delivery the learning are essential.
I only use them to demonstrate things, not lecture from.
I am not a fan of PowerPoint. Especially the PPs created by the textbook publishers. Boring.
I agree, it is hard enough for students who have been at work all day to come to class and remain alert and interested. If you are just going to read the pp slides to them, they could easily do that on their own at home. It needs to be interactive and engaging. I like to put lots of images and illustrations that are not in their books to bring the lecture to life.
