powerpoints
Powerpoints can be very effective in getting the information across that is needed. However, there is such a thing as over killed with sounds and effects, I believe.
William,
Brief bullet points that can be elaborated on work well for me. Adding contrasting color and photo's, graphs or charts adds some variety and makes the lesson a bit more interesting. PPT is merely a tool, and any tool used incorrectly is unlikely to produce the desired effects.
Barry Westling
PPT are in my experience, are extensively used by the instructors in all the class rooms. It has become a short cut for some instructors (a tool to avoid student contact), or as an effective guide to interact with the students. IT is up to the instructor on what is or is not important as the slides flash before the blinking students. Students can be frustrated if tasked to write lengthly notes in response to the slides. This can be resolved by placing copies of the slides via their email or an internet site is provided for them to obtain these notes. The PPT are used to allow interaction and discussion on key aspects of the subject material and if the instructor fails to achieve this, then one the slides are too lenghy and thus need to be chopped down or the instructor just does not engage students. In todays over the top data kill society it becomes extremely important for instructors to cut to the chase and present key concepts with interaction, thus a PPT are a tool to that end.
Michele,
Very good practice. Sometimes, this is referred to as "checking for understanding", the practice that provides for going just so far before the instructor stops to ask questions and determine if the class has mastered the material presented thus far.
Barry Westling
Stopping every 15 - 20 minutes to discuss what was in the PP, helps to explain anything that was not understood
Justine,
PPT's MUST be tasteful. I think in addition they must be formatted in a way that assist students, not interfering with their learning, as might happen if too much information is provided or formatting distracts from the message.
Barry Westling
in order to avoid distractions, power point presentations should be tasteful.
Sherile,
Of course one can always take a personal class outside of the school settiong. Another strategy might be to find out who teaches PPT on your campus, and see if you can sit in some of their classes. You might also ask if that instructor might have some time that's convenient to give you some basic steps.
Barry Westling
Rose,
Right. There are better ways for students to read information.
Barry Westling
Well said. The power point should just be the "cliff notes" of the chapter, something to help you and the students stay on track with the content of the chapter; the focus of the chapter. Too much information can be overwhelming and lose the students attention.
I would love to incorporate pp in my classroom but I have limited skills in this area. We've asked for training on the school's equipment but to no avail. What can I do?
James,
PPT is a tool, and like all tool has a preferred and appropriate use. When those parameters are exceed, that's where instructors can get into trouble.
Barry Westling
I have heard complaints from students about the power points being a little excessive in some of their classes. But I also think that not all students see things the same way and have a right to a difference of opinion. I am fairly new to teaching so I have not used power point that much yet. From what I can tell it is a great tool, if used properly. I appreciate the link in the reading to the power point online training. That is what I need!
Khouloud,
I will add that beside the PPT and lecture, discussion, active whiteboard, and lots of questions will stimulate a class and create interest in the topic.
Barry Westling
Indeed, PowerPoint presentations are an effective visual medium. With that said, including a PowerPoint presentation within a lecture will enable the learners to correlate the subject matter visually and mentally. In addition, including colors, and minimal effects will make the subject more interesting to learn.
I completely agree with this. I use PPT slideshows as an OUTLINE for my lecture. If there is something on a slide that I can't elaborate on during lecture, it shouldn't be there!
Beatrice,
I agree, PPT's can potentially be effective. For me important factors include formatting, amount of information on a slide, number of slides, and how long a session goes between breaks into something else. Each of these has pitfalls that can undermine the purpose and effectiveness the instructor is trying to convey.
Barry Westling
Power point is an effective of the instructor to help explain a subject lesson.
Richard,
PPT slides are effective, no doubt. I believe a mixture of delivery methods, intermixed with PPT can be more dynanmic than merely students and teacher reading from the slides. More variety adds depth, interest, and perhaps better retention of needed information.
Barry Westling
Hi Barry,
certainly, power point is a very important tool to deliver the subject material in a very efficient and comprehensive manner ,especially when there is a time constraint and lot of information has to be delivered. I like it and use it all the time.
