Teaching with a Power Point presentation
I believe that this canbe beneficial depending on the course you are teaching, but it is important to know that there are other options available.
Michael,
There's an old saying: "To a hammer, everything is a nail". I think PPT is a tool. It has a specific use and purpose. When the job requires a specific tool, it is invaluable. When it's not required or inappropriate, it's in the way. How awful to be in a class when trying to learn and something is in the way!
As for PPT slides, I think they can be an effective tool, even for extended periods, if used correctly. For instance, one slide with a number of key bullet points may satisfy a whole class period, with each bullet point leading to a dicussion that involves discussion, interaction among students, activities, demonstrations, and application for the work setting. Other good uses are when a teacher has photo's, graphs, charts, tables, schematics, or conceptual illustrations. Needless to say, PPT should be used as a tool to enhance learning, not interfere.
Barry Westling
For those who don't know, Powerpoint is a pre-requisite skill to a military briefing/instruction, as every bit of information is conveyed throught this medium. Imagine sitting in a single classroom from 8am to 4pm being instructed by powerpoint; 8 solid hours with very little variation. Exhaustive to say the least. To put logic to this rationale, it is easy and expected. Easy for the instructor to put all thoughts on slides and regurgitate them line by line and yet the students, in this setting, expect it to be this way. Sad but true. With all this said, I have a disdain for Powerpoint as a fall back.
Mike
William,
Great!. I think of PPT as a tool, and the teacher is the carpenter. Not every job requires a hammer (i.e., PPT). The skills the teacher brings should know which tool is best to present the needed material in the most effective manner. And using the tool correctly makes the job easier and accomplish it's task expeditiously.
Barry Westling
I love using PowerPoint. The 14 points that were given in the section on PowerPoint were right on! I introduce PowerPoint in my computer classes wherein the students have to give a presentation using this tool. I have used the 7x7 rule that I picked up in a textbook. No more than 7 words to a line and no more than 7 lines on a slide. I like the idea of five even better. I am going to add the 10/20/30 rule to my repertoire.
Kenny,
Most people are open to interesting presentations. If we can can capture interest we have achieved an openness of the mind to teach.
Barry Westling
When I do use PowerPoint, I customize them to my personality. I am the kind of person who likes to be laid back and funny in the classroom, and that I how I make my PowerPoint presentations. The students really enjoy the presentations, and they pay attention because they are interesting. It takes some work on my part to create the presentations, but they are effective.
Hi Lauren,
If students can use get out of slide copies, that's great. I think a good PPT slide lists more general topic or discussion points designed to facilitate discussion by the teacher or students, to engage the class, and to get them thinking why information shared is important. In most cases, that's almost impossible to put on a slide. It's a live, interactive moment that would vary some each time. I think detailed information is best left to the textbook and student study guides. Our role as facilitator is to guide students using our expertise, past education and training, and experience from teach past classes.
Barry Westling
I've also found that students who have access to PPT slides use them as a study guide for tests and quizzes. In addition, they are helpful with keeping up on lessons if a student is absent.
Regina,
Yeah, as I've related in this forum, I for one do not like the publisher-prepared slides as they rarely are in synch with my planned delivery sequencing, and frankly, they're often plain in format and uninteresting. The information might be there, but outlines of chapters is not the best way to use PPT as a learning tool, in my opinion.
Barry Westling
I've find that sometimes the 'canned' PPT that come with the textbook either doesn't cover all the material in the chapter or may have questions at the end that are inconsistent with the material covered in the slides. I have to be vigilant to carefully review each PPT beforehand to be ready to 'fill in' these missing areas as appropriate. Similar to the 'ad lib' comments suggested in this training module.
Hi Stephen:
You've described a very good use for customized PPT slides. They're just one of the tools - something that make the job go better. And every job is easier when we use the right tools, eh?
Regards, Barry
I have found power point slides very effective in math instruction and practice. It goes faster than if I were to write problems on the board repetetively. Also, I can plan a sequence of examples that gradually get harder to teach various steps and complications in algorithms.
I remember earlier this session that I had problems with areas of triangles to do. They caught on pretty quickly, so I skipped a slide or two.
Hi Sharon:
No class should be filled with only PPT slides. Mixing other exercises and activities really benefits the students and makes the class more interesting and engaging for students.
Regards, Barry
pOWER POINT TO USE EVERY DAY IS BORING, i'VE TRIED IT AND STUDENTS SAY 'OH NO NOT AGAIN'
Hi Ayesha:
Too many slides can overwhelm students. I think there are many uses for PPT, but in general, it is better for the teacher to use the images or information as a guide to their lesson - the PPT is not the lesson. The teacher should amply each slide (and Heaven's sake, never read the slides!).
Regards, Barry
