Beth noted: As with any technological tool, PowerPoint can make a lecture awful, but it can also enhance a lecture.
I do a few things: 1. I always print out the PP slides to give to the students (in handout format, three slides per page, double-sided). This gives them room to write extra notes, but also frees them from frantically and laboriously copying the notes I project. [I agree and have done the same...but giving them the notes means we have given more written material...they want that BECAUSE they do not know how to take notes and think about what is being said. So now they are even more passive? I am not sure how helpful it is as Reading Comprehension is also low. To do any real study, they would still have to understand what is on the handout and how it relates to what was said/demonstrated in class. If tests merely require regurgitation of such slides/handouts, then fine, but not if they are expected to understand, recognize examples, illustrations, etc.] 2. I use them to stay on task, but also find them useful when I have a student who may be pulling the lecture astray. (We all have them once in a while.) I just click to the next slide and it pulls attention toward the new topic. [Yes, I also find them useful for ME as I go over key points. I would like them to be using it as outline and filling in information as they listen to what I emphasize, but that is not easy for them to do..they have learned only to frantically copy, not think about what is being said...and taking meaningful notes seems to be a lost art.] 3. I try to use as many of the bells and whistles as I can, such as embedding youtube clips, videos, diagrams, etc., but most importantly, I try to put only a few points on each slide and lecture from there, rather than load the slide up and just read them. (Shudder....) [I will also do demos and ask the class for examples..when I do this, I take down the slide or cover it, but again we must remember to remind them the demo or clip, etc., fits in with the outline or answers a key point from the outline. What I have been doing a little more is to put questions on the slide or outline, use fill in the blank and then they must answer question or have fill-in FROM listening or watching me.] Students invariably write in my student evals that they appreciate the PowerPoints. Happily, the Tweet that Michael saw couldn't be from one of my students, since my classes are only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ;-) Beth Benoit Granite State College Plymouth State University New Hampshire --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] . To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13445.e3edca0f6e68bfb76eaf26a8eb6dd94b&n=T&l=tips&o=14316 (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) or send a blank email to leave-14316-13445.e3edca0f6e68bfb76eaf26a8eb6dd...@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=14318 or send a blank email to leave-14318-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
