Getting carried away
With the abilities we have in technology it seems to be easy to get carried away. What is the best way to avoid overplay with our graphics?
jeanita,
When in doubt, leave it out! Not everyone understands graphics.
Shelly Crider
This is very true Beverly, simplicity is always key with graphics. You dont want to include too many and complicate the lesson for the student but it is necessary to include graphics to illustrate the point
Beverly,
Excellent point. Let's get organized and see exactly what content you as an instructor what the students to learn.
Shelly Crider
I think the best way NOT to get carried away with media is not to decide to use a media THEN how to make it work for your information, but to decide what information you want to distribute THEN select a media that will work best for the situation. I think what happens is that people get caught up in the "new media" they are presented with and try to use it for everything and it just may not be the best solution. Make sure any graphics or other media actually enhances the information you are presenting.
Merle,
I love this analogy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is right on target too!!!
Shelly Crider
I believe we need to abide by the KISS principle.. keep it simple, silly.
The key is that any graphics used are to supplement the learning process not to over take. The goal of graphics should be like the music as a background in a movie. The best soundtracks are the ones unnoticed but just complement the film.
Hi Lorie,
I agree to not include 'graphics' unless it does add or contribute to the content of the course. I do include to enhance or to make sure my point/comment is understood.
I agree. I would guess that most attempts to be clever or funny have a better chance of showing they are neither. At least in the eyes of the student.
Agreed. Some of the Powerpoint files I have had to download from publisher's websites are enormous and it has taken me nearly 30 minutes on a high speed Internet connection to upload 20 files. We have to realize that our students sometimes still have dial-up Internet connections and what even is a few seconds for us will be a few minutes for them. Most will not wait to download them and give up after about 20 seconds.
My rule of thumb is that if it does not enhance your presentation or point out pertinent information, then you should not include it.
Basic color and design with pertinent graphics to highlight information tends to work best.
Often presenters will add cartoons or funny graphics to their presentations, I would only suggest this if it gets your point across or fits into your discussion. Most of the time this is not relevant as we are looking to teach our students not make them laugh.
That is true. I have been in some courses where flash was the name of the game, but the content did not seem to be there.
Kim,
Good point - you really do need to find a balance.
Jon
Debra:
I agree that it can easily get carried too far in regards to graphics.
I think the less "clicks" the better, especially for those learners who may be taking an online class for the first time.
I also think consistency in regards to course design within courses offered by an Institution is vital for student success.
Kim
Tanya,
That's great - especially if you can get some audio in as well.
Jon
I have also been giving lectures with the "aid" of my PowerPoint presentations. This enables me to use more visuals. Some students are more "visual learners," while some prefer to listen to the audio. This blends the best of "both worlds!"
Debra,
By using the KISS principle, Keep it Simple Stupid! Another way is to use humor in any graphic. Humor in an ad for instance, furthers recall. A humorous graphic in a class can accomplish the same thing.
I can see this happening - it's like when you a see a movie that was just a bit to long and you thought to yourself "self they could have skipped over 20 minutes of that" and it ruins the movie. Perhaps showing your presentation to someone outside the class, kinda like having your paper proof read by someone else before doing the final draft, can give you a hint if you feel you've overloaded the visual and audio content
Jo:
The guidelines to which you refer may be applicable for PowerPoint presentations. In my opinion, a PowerPoint prsentation may lack the requisites of a Quality online course. A powerPoint is viewed for what it is-----a presentation tool; not an online lecture. A PowerPoint can certainly be a component of the course. This leave us with the remainder of the course components for which we have to select media.
Satrohan
