Power point presentations
Power point presentions are used to deliver the bulk of the information in my course. Since this can be a bit dull (even with a jazzed up presentation). I try to encorporate material provided on the book publishers websites.
Do you pull the websites into your instruction?
Tifany,
Yeah, as a research-oriented activity, links are great. These are good back up plans too. Also, to supplement a lecture or discussion, makes for great in class or homework assignments. Even if material is repeated students can always benefit from repetition.
Barry Westling
Stephen Dable,
Great suggestions. I think a lot of instructors just assume they will use PPT because it's available, without considering if that is the best way to convey select information in a class. I try to analyze how best to teach my class, using a variety of media and resources, and try to change it up every 20-30 minutes if I can. PPT is a tool, and every tool has a specific purpose. Using the wrong tool for a job will result is less then hoped for results.
Barry Westling
Using links is a great way to get students involved. I have learned that it motivates them to do futher research on the subject matter.
PowerPoint Recommendations
A PowerPoint presentation is not a show and tell. It is a way to clarify a message you want to send. You need to know what the message is and how the PowerPoint enhances that message.
Does it create interest and grab the audiences' attention?
Does it crystallize the entire message and make it clear?
Does it compare and contrast?
Does it give your speech texture, visual interest and scope?
1. Use black font on white background or white font on colored background.
2. Use common font. School computers have limited font choices and will default your fancy font to something that will distort your presentation. Be safe-be simple.
3. Have a cover page with your name and title of your project.
4. No less than 10 slides. Best is one slide for every 30 sec to minute.
5. No more than 15 total words on a slide.
6. If you use bullets no more than 3 words per bullet.
7. Only one picture on a slide (visual impact) unless you are comparing or contrasting a point.
8. Make sure you incorporate the visual power of your PowerPoint into your speech. Why are we looking at this picture? You need to make the connection.
Cheryl,
Very creative! This kind of instruction does help keep students attention, and is really not that difficult to create. I'm sure your students befit from these and problably many other creative activities you use to engage them.
Barry Westling
I have incorporated youtube, images and videos from the dvd included with the text book, and sometime I present a slide with a picture or model on it... then two slides later reintroduce the same slide minus the caption under the picture or the lables on the model presented. Then I ask the students to recreate the missing information. That technique has caught some students by surprise!They tend to pay closer attention the next time.
Kanidrus ,
I look at PPT slides, just like any tool, for how it can contribute to my lesson. I ask myself what is the best way to deliver my message at this moment in time. I keep slides brief, summarized with bulleted points that guide me in a discussion. I attempt to avoid putting all the information I want to talk about on a slide - there's usually just too much.
Barry Westling
Power points can be a valuable tool, but must be to the point. Having too many will cause the students to lose focus.
Kanidrus
Lisa,
Right. Too many PPT slides can begin to lose students after a while. Better to vary the delivery with other activities mixed with PPT.
Barry Westling
power points can be a great tool if not used as a crutch
Owena,
Creative slides do add interest to presentations. The idea is to keep attention so the students hear, think about, and remember learned material, so something lively or colorful may help that process. I use care to avoid too lengthly presentations as I've found variety keeps interest longer than when I have long segments using the same medium.
Barry Westling
When I create my powerpoints I try to incorporate items, i.e. TV, facebook, utube to make the presentation more applicable for the students. It brings the attention back just in case I have lost a student during lecture.
Jill,
Webliniks are invaluable. As technology has advanced, so has the integration of internet-based access to a myriad of of information, formerly very ackward to easily access in the classroom. This is one (of many) benefits of having internet access available to students in the classroom.
Barry Westling
