Technology in the classroom

[Patrick O. Dolan]

Hi TIPS folk-   I moved to PowerPoint last semester and love it.  It can be used poorly so Deb's suggestion to read up on it is a good one.  I use it primarily to outline my lecture, provide specific definitions if I think it is important and don't think I can spit one out off the cuff, and to provide figures/graphs, and images (I teach Cognition and Research Methods).  I provide my ppt. file to the students ahead of time so they can print & take notes on it if they'd like (I encourage it).  I work hard to ensure that the ppt. slides are no substitution for attending the lecture and frequently have incorrect or misleading/ambiguous information on them- attempting to study from them w/o attending class could actually work against them.     I started using Blackboard (course management software; WebCT is another) this semester and am equally thrilled with it.  I don't use 1/2 its features but like it for file sharing, ppt. posting, course announcements, etc.  Every student has their own laptop with extensive land and wireless network connections so it is not unreasonable to expect them to check blackboard regularly.  With more and more members of the faculty and other organizations on campus using it, it becomes a nice portal for them to check on all their classes, clubs, organizations, etc.    Probably because of the wireless network, I discourage their laptops in class unless we're using them for SPSS or some other application (even the best student will have AIM open unless I strongly ask them not to).   Other uses of technology in the classroom are video clips (web, DVD, mpeg), experiment demo (mostly from the web), and student presentations with PowerPoint.    I've seen many ppt. presentations that are more glitz than content but that was almost exclusively in the business world or by students.    Patrick     ******************************** Patrick O. Dolan, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Psychology Drew University Madison, NJ  07940 973-408-3558 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ********************************   ----- Original Message ----- From: Horton, Joseph J. To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:51 AM Subject: RE: e-mail,handouts or both I would like to broaden this discussion by asking how you use technology in class. I am early in my career, but prefer chalk to PowerPoint. Our administration wants us to use more technology in the classroom and is going to provide us with a student assistant to help out. All of our students have laptops and my classes meet in rooms with internet connections at each desk. What do you do that is really worthwhile and not just glitzy?   Thanks, Joe   Joseph J. Horton Ph. D. Faculty Box 2694 Grove City College Grove City, PA  16127 724-458-2004 [EMAIL PROTECTED]   In God we trust. All others must bring data. --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]