I prefer a combination of powerpoint and the chalkboard. I tend to put a
brief outline up with powerpoint, then I can use the chalkboard to
elaborate and put up examples. With only the chalkboard I was constantly
having to erase and squeeze things onto the board that could easily be
shown via the projector.
I try not to include the "bells and whistles" that I see in a lot of
powerpoint presentations. Mine are straight text and the occasional image
or two. I could easily switch this to transparencies, but I prefer
powerpoint because:
- I don't have to worry about things being out of order
- I can easily reveal one or two lines at a time
- I only have to carry a disk in my pocket to class
- I can easily go back to a point a few slides earlier without
having to flip through transparencies
- I can easily add the lecture outlines to m course website
There are other reasons, but those are some of the main ones. A lot depends
on the course and how the students are responding to powerpoint. If I sense
students are zoning and simply writing what's on the screen and nothing
else, I stop using it as much. If it is a course like statistics, I don't
use it as often, but I do use the projector to help walk them through SPSS
and the output.
Basically, the chalkboard still has it's place and I enjoy using it most of
the time. But in general, I prefer having a variety of tools at my disposal
and hate it when I am limited to one.
just my 2 cents
- Marc
PS- One of our projectors for powerpoint went out this semester and after a
few days of white chalk on the board, a student brought me colored chalk to
help spice things up for the class.... she gave me stickers with stars and
smiley faces as well... whatever happened to apples?
G. Marc Turner, MEd, Net+
Lecturer & Head of Computer Operations
Department of Psychology
Southwest Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666
phone: (512)245-2526
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
