Get Your Students Hired
I use PowerPoint presentations so that my visual learners are able to learn at a better pace.
I use PowerPoint as a visual aid, esp when I am unable to do a field trip or demonstration. (and I am no artist on the dry-erase board.)
Most of my PowerPoint are outlines (brief phrases of the most important ideas.) It keeps the classroom flexible but provides structure to the lesson.
I also include videos, mnemonics, diagrams, critical thinking questions/discussions, Fill the blank responses, review type questions in my PowerPoint for those that may need further understanding in such areas that would require such tool.
I will then have the students take a few minutes to write down their own notes and 3-4 key points on the topic. Then I use colored markers on the dry erase board to collect everyone's thoughts and place stars next the most important points for emphasis.
If we are discussing how to unit-dose pills in a pharmacy, I click on the link to bring up the video . Once the students watch it, they can clearly see the process. Students will write their own 3-4 key points/notes down. Then each student will comes to the board and write one of their key points on the board.
I agree totally. I can see the students getting bored if I spend too much time just flipping slides. I try to stop and have discussion to breaking it up and invariably, a student will ask a question that will lead into this. I have not used the white board much, but plan to do it more since on one occasion I noticed the students were not understanding an assignment so I went to the white board and drew a piece of paper with do it. Wow! What difference that made and there was no difference in the way I explained it. Also, I am thinking now of using a pre-drawn flip chart that I can draw the minimal on before class and add to it when explaining.
Richard,
this is excellent as too much content is overwhelming & it also trains them just to write what's up there & not listen.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree, I try to keep PowerPoints to a minimum and mix in visuals and hands on. I also modify the Powerpoints so there is not a lot of content and explain the rest.
Hugh,
yes, I like to just put the basic outline on the ppt so the students are more engaged in listening to me & gleaning from the material.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
PowerPoint is a great tool when used to assist the instructor. When used as a crutch with every word read to the class, it quickly becomes "death by powerpoint" and is despised by the student as a waste of his time.
I love it with narration. There is a tool called Brainshark that makes this especially easy.
Jenny,
yes, as many learning modalities as we can hit on the better as we can engage all students that way.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I love powerpoint along with verbal lecture for my visual and audio learning students. I then take that instruction into a lab simulation setting to help the hands on learners.
I use ppt to facilitate the outline, the whiteboard to focus points (from student and lecturer), and I use other "props" for the student to see and hold when possible.
Curtis,
thank you for brining this up. I too have seen too many slideshows that look like a 4 year old put them together it's sad.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
We should model effective use of slideshows as a learning tool. I have seen so many bad slideshow presentations with horrible coloring, too much text written on a slide, etc. It distracts from the learning and does not demonstrate to the adult learner how to present effectively using a slideshow tool.
I agree, powerpoint in my classroom keeps my students interested in the topic of discussion
I believe the use of power point is an essential tool available to instructors. The problem sometimes is instructors can over use power point presentations and quit teaching. Students will tend to wonder if they constantly are learning from power point - Use the white board, flip charts as well as power point and even UTube to get the points accross change it it up - but don't forget lecture as an excellent way to teach as well
We use PowerPoint in all our classes. When going over the lab portions, I have added and enhanced the existing presentation with graphics and answers, it had increased retention in my students in a great way...
I use PowerPoint, but don't teach from them. I have seen instructors use them exclusively and have received student complaints about that type of instruction. Death by PowerPoint is a common term recognized by former military personnel, and since over 50% of our students are veterans, I am particularly sensitive to this. I use the slides to help keep the class on track and to guide what I am getting ready to share next.
Chris,
yes, all of these methods will help reach the variety of learners in our classrooms.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
PowerPoint should be used as well as pass arounds and drawing on the white board. There are three types of learners--visual, audible, and kinesthetic. A effective lecture will employ tactics to engage all three types.