Power Points
I use power points only as a guiding tool for my lecture or demonstration. I relate to my students by giving them real world situations that I've experienced throughout my career. I teach them that they will have choices for their career in hospitality and that not all avenues are for everyone.
Darrell,
It's unfortunate that there is such tight control over the PPT's. But in reality, PPT is really just a tool, one among many, that an instructor can use. After all, effective instruction has occurred for thousands of years without PPT or many of the other more "modern" tools. The instructor is the most valuable tool. It's really amazing what a knowledgeable instructor and a large white board can accomplish!
Barry Westling
The Power Points that are used in my class's are set up and prepared by our curriculum dept. and the Chief Instructors for our Group. These Power Points are locked so that the Instructing Instructor cannot go in and amend the Power Point as this would require a CCR (Course Curriculum Revision) to be approved by both our campus's.
So in a sense our hands are tied when it comes to including information that "I" ("we") may want to include.
But then again their is always the white board and artistic renderings.
Sonia,
In my opinion, PPT slides should only be a guide to foster discussion. Of course, PPT is great for images, photo's, graphs, tables, charts, and concepts, but as far as text, my general approach is "less is more", as I can expand on an idea or concept much better than trying to condense it down into words and sentences, and have it be comprehensive.
Barry Westling
I do the exact same thing. Power points are great as a guide but should not be read word for word. What would be the purpose in that. It is always great to give students additional real world scenarios.
Dawn,
As the name implies, I believe PowerPoint can be a powerful way to make key points in a discussion. Where it gets overused is when an instructor attempts to put all the needed information on a slide. My use is 3-4 words for each bullet point with 3-4 bullet points per slide. I use the reveal feature, so students don't get ahead of me in my discussion. And it's what I have to say and emphasize and engage students with thought questions that's important. I also go to black screen frequently and use the white board. I think PPT is a good tool that can assist instructors if used in measured doses as it was intended.
Barry Westling
I have not used power pts yet in the classroom because they get it from every other faculty member for hours all day long.
What I have missed however is the senses in learning. I have only done discussions and class work, so hearing the material and seeing it on the worksheets may not be enough.
Tenika,
Great, and I'm sure your students appreciate that too. Most students enjoy lab. It's the theory and it's delivery that is a challenge to keep interest. Breaking up these lecture sessions into smaller segments with variety does much to keep students engaged.
Barry Westling
I too do not concentrate soley on powerpoint. I feel the hands on compliments the slides and vice versa.
Ethel,
PPT slide presentations can be a great tool to support an instructor's delivery of course material. I want to avoid having PPT (or any other instructional aid) dominate what I have to give to students. Unfortunately, too many instructors subject their students by "death by PPT", wherein the PPT becomes the focus rather than the information it' trying to convey. There's an old saying that "to a hammer, everything is a nail". So my perspective is to use the right tool in appropriate doses.
Barry Westling
I enjoy using Power Points to touch important points of the topic. I do not like for it to be the sole source of information provided to my students. I enjoy being able to elaborate on the subject presented with each slide, therefore I engage the students in the learning process.
Margaret,
Some instructors think they need to use all the bells and whistles in a PPT slide presentation but most students are not impressed with the commotion and are actually distracted by the busyness the slides depict. Formatting should be simple and straightfoward. You're right, audience and purpose defines best how and what to include.
Barry Westling
In building slides, it is important to consider the audience and purpose, some content may be highly technical and require specific definitions. Further definitions or details could be presented in notes section of a slide and referenced only if necessary.
Gary,
Yeah, like the lesson states, "Death by PowerPoint". I try to look at my PPT slides from the students perspective, such as "how can I best convey what I need to without unnecessary distraction, clutter, or fancy formatting (that should really be left up to the experts). Simple is really better and allows the student to focus on the information, rather than the tool that's providing it.
Barry Westling
Sometimes instructors go overboard with animations, colors, fonts, etc and the ppt becomes more of a distraction than a presentation tool.
Beryl,
I use PPT as a guide for discussion, more than providing all of the information. I believe the textbooks can provide needed information in great detail much better than a summarized version in a PPT slide. Clickers are great, especially for discussion. Provides for better engagement, interest, and is usually more enjoyable.
Barry Westling
I use the clicker so I can observe the students and walk around the classroom. Power Point presentaions are great, however they are no substitute for good subject knowledge. Many times the students will see something on a power point and not be able to releate it to the task at hand. I always follow up the power point with a demonstration to lock in the information.
Stephanie,
I agree. PPT is a tool and every tool has a specific tool. Unfortunately, some instructors think of the PPT tool like an Swiss Army knife, useful for every situation and activity. Of course, that is not the case. Use the tool when applicable, but only then.
Barry Westling
I think PowerPoints, if used incorrectly can really deter student learning. They are a good refernce point but much of the learning takes place in class discussion and in the teacher personality.
Tina,
I agree. I only use slides I've made myself, primarily because I can include just the information I want, and in the format I think is useful.
Barry Westling
