Hi I think it is possible to enhance powerpoint using some of its available tools. I have, for example, often used text boxes and lines to essentially create cognitive maps to outline course material. Somewhat limited compared to cognitive mapping programs but allows one to represent the overall structure.
And the discussion here motivated me finally to search out another piece that I have often wanted, namely to be able to jump around slides rather than follow linearly or scroll through a bunch of slides. And of course, powerpoint has just such a feature (of which I was ignorant), namely action buttons. One puts an action button on a page and links it to a particular slide (text can be inserted in the action button). Clicking on it during the slide show jumps to the desired slide. Once I created the action button, it was a trivial task to copy and paste it wherever I wanted and, if necessary, modify the destination slide number. I just took a lecture with an outline as described above and just added action buttons to jump to the outline at each transition point to show where we are at and where we are going. I then return using the "last viewed" option to continue with the content, but action buttons to the various sections would be easily added allowing more flexibility. I've left in the various transition cues that were already there. It prints out fine and simply has a MAIN action button (which is what I labeled it) on certain pages. I will tell students that is a major point of transition. I have tried cognitive mapping software over the years, but was always leery of investing too much time and energy into what might be a transient or ultimately unsatisfactory tool. Given the ubiquitous nature of powerpoint and the fact I have much material in that format (my apologies to the ppt skeptics), I'm more than willing to work at achieving some of the flexibility of the specialized systems. I've always had a preference for the more generic tool, even if it is somewhat limited or a bit more work to do what one wants, and powerpoint appears to be it right now. As for the discussion that started all of this: (1) I'm not sure that I will be looking primarily to the military for lessons in how to present learning materials, (2) there are innumerable very meaningful and useful slides that would look as much like spaghetti to the uninitiated as the one shown in the article (e.g., Krebs cycle), (3) undoubtedly the figure was problematic for various reasons other than it was an outline and presented in powerpoint (e.g., speculative pathways, nodes easily confused with one another), and (4) the remark the general made for humor (something like, when we understand this we will have won the war) perhaps has a grain of truth to it ... namely, only when complex relationships among the pieces of the puzzle that is the Middle East are understood, will "victory" be possible. Thanks everyone for the prompt. Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected] Department of Psychology University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 CANADA >>> "Shearon, Tim" <[email protected]> 27-Apr-10 11:22 AM >>> Michael and Rick I have also been very impressed by several presentations recently which used Prezi. One was a faculty member and two others were by people applying for an assistant librarian position. Then I saw two students do presentations with it in a class recently and was very impressed. They all said there was a short learning curve but were all willing to help me learn (when I get a bit of free time, ha!). I'm looking for online or text training/instruction for it - perhaps if any of us find anything helpful we could post it to tips? :) The lack of printing seems a big drawback- I'm glad you mentioned that, Rick. Tim -----Original Message----- From: Michael Britt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 8:57 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] Why Powerpoint Is Evil: Military Version Good point Rick. I really want to love Prezi in part because it is a welcome alternative to PowerPoint, but there is a bit of a learning curve to it and, as you say, you can't get - yet - any easily printed notes or slides from it. Still, worth checking into if you want to try something different. Michael Britt [email protected] www.thepsychfiles.com Twitter: mbritt --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=2247 or send a blank email to leave-2247-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=2248 or send a blank email to leave-2248-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
