Make sure your parachute is packed before you jump out of the plane
I have recently within the last year started performing my lectures without using the powerpoints we are given. I feel that the power points hamper my ability to deliver the subject matter at times due to the way it was organized, since I was not the one who organized it. I have been performing these using lecture, hand written notes on the board, tree diagrams, visual aids, tangible physical parts and pieces. I started using the power point more as a way to summarize everthing i talked and discussed with the students during the lecture, rather than as a crutch for teaching by. Don't misunderstand though powerpoints can be a valuable tool, but they are just a tool. This method use took me about a year and a half of teaching with it to get it to the point that I feel is better than trying to follow a scripted powerpoint. It requires a whole lot of lesson planning that I had to review and revise almost every 3 week phase to ensure that I was maximizing my effectiveness. I still don't believe I am done with it. Teaching, just like learning is an ongoing process. Preparation is a key factor to everything. I have torn up, thrown away more note pads and 3x5 cards with things that didn't work as planned or as well as i had hoped than i'd care to admit. The point being no matter what make sure that you actually have a plan, that plan is your "parachute".
I find that power points are a great tool, but only one of the tools I use during lecturing. Sometimes for a student to understand a certain concept they need to have it explained in different ways, such as drawing it out on the board or showing them a real part. This also helps to keep up the students intrest in what could otherwise be a boring lecture.
Hi Christopher,
There are a few chapters in the curriculum that I have wondered, "who wrote this?", albeit the information was there, but it was presented in an unusual order and rather sparsely. So like you, I have presented the material before I even let the students open up their books, have them take notes and copy graphs that I have written or drawn on the board. I even make it easier for them to write their notes by writing the notes for them on the board. Then like yourself, I will fire up the power point and use it as a reveiw tool. The power point then becomes my reserve chute, just in case I missed anything.
Christopher, it sounds like you're a fantastic instructor who really cares for his students. Instead of relying just on the book for all your information, it seems you use your experience and researched the subject matter to give your students more value for their paid education.
>>Marty
I also like useing pichures on the board to enforce what the lectur is about.
I have adopted the same philosophy about the power point. I am accountable to my cororation to show all powerpoint slides. This dose not mean that i only use the powerpoint.Yes it is more difficult to instruct but well worth the effort
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Hi Christopher,
You make a number of very good points about using PowerPoints as teaching tools. You are right a PP is only a tool and not an end in itself. I like you use PPs to help me with my lectures, but they are those that I have developed since they meet my needs. I have found that those supplied with the textbook don't really fit they way I want to deliver the material.
I commend you on your use of different delivery methods. This is what keeps the students focused and engaged. Keep up the good work.
Gary
