I think that Sarah has focused on a major problem associated with powerpoint. The powerpoint technology was originally utilized by the business community for the purposes of highlighting major selling points. However, for the most part, academia has not adequately adapted powerpoint as a supplement in the classroom setting. Far too often, powerpoint is redundant given the materials presented in textbooks.
I believe that powerpoint can work. But you must pursue innovative approaches beyond just projecting text onto a screen. Powerpoint is effective if you project relevant images or soundbites as part of your intended lecture\discussion materials. In addition, I utilize powerpoint in outline form to keep the class and myself on track during the presentation. The entire projected slide is formulated to bring in points as they are relevant. Presenting an entire slide with students spending minutes copying the material does not work. The students tend to focus more on copying the projected materials than comprehending the meaning of the material. In the long run, discussion (with some use of video clips either within powerpoint or via standard media) will prove more effective than straight lecture and powerpoint images. Lloyd Klein __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Teaching Sociology" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/teachsoc -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
