Thursday, 5 April 2012

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION




POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
View more PowerPoint from janeenscqu

What is a Powerpoint Presentations?

A powerpoint presentation is used to display content in the form of slides.  It has replaced the old projector type presentations.
The above is an example of a powerpoint.  Unfortunately, I was unable to upload the sound through the free slideshare software.  It would be necessary to upgrade to a package to have the sound installed.  However, I was able to create a powerpoint presentation which included sound which I found to assist the presentation.

Please click on the following link to view an animated powerpoint presentation:-

Janeen's Animated Slides

How to Make a Powerpoint Presentation

You will need to have access to Powerpoint.  It is available on most computers and can be found in the start menu.  Once you open the program all you need to do is type in the information you wish to display and there you have a powerpoint.
For more information on creating a powerpoint please watch the following video:-


How To Use Powerpoint in Classrooms

Powerpoints are a useful tool in teaching.  It enables you to:-
  • Powerpoint can assist in presenting content in visually appealing ways;
  • Powerpoint can be used to present media - such as attaching video images;
  • Powerpoint can be used by students to present their own presentations
  • Powerpoint can be used to show the answers to quizzes, tests etc so students can check their own work
  • Anything that requires presentation can be done through powerpoint.

SWOT Analysis of using Powerpoint in the Classroom

The strengths of using powerpoint in the classroom include:
  • Powerpoint images can assist students with rote learning as they have the slides available for future reference which supports the behaviorism learning theories.  However, this will not promote higher order thinking and as such other supports should be used to assist in collaboration (such as class discussions of the slides) (ELearning Pedagogy).
  • The use of images, charts etc in a powerpoint will assist with cognitivism learning theories.  Again, this will not promote higher order thinking and other methods should be used in conjunction with this (Elearning Pedagogy).
  • If the powerpoint is used appropriately to enhance collaboration, such as presenting the idea and allowing the class to be divided into groups to discuss and collaborate on the idea and then returning to display some end results, then it will support a constructivism learning theory, as well as behaviorism and cognitivism learning theories (ELearning Pedagogy)
  • If students are invited to create their own powerpoints, this will assist active and also reflective learners.  Active as they can approach the creation of the powerpoint hands on and Reflective as it allows those learners to think about what information they will insert in the slides. (Learning Styles and Strategies)
  • Powerpoints support sensing learners as it enables them to learn the facts (Learning Styles and Strategies)
  • Powerpoints also support visual and verbal learners as they can show images, pictures and diagrams while at the same time providing written and spoken explanations (Learning Styles and Strategies)
  • Powerpoints support sequential learners as they normally have a step by step approach through the slides (Learning Styles and Strategies)
  • If the content is used correctly it supports a TPACK framework as it uses technologically in pedagogically sound ways to present the content (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework for Teacher Knowledge)
  • If used appropriately to support collaborative learning and by allowing students to also use the tool to create their own powerpoints it can support all of the Blooms (Revised) Taxonomies of "remembering, understanding, applying, analysing, evaluating and creating" (Blooms Taxonomy of Learning Domains) as it:-
      • Identifies content (remembering)
      • It summarises the content (understanding)
      • If the lesson plan incorporates the powerpoint (ie. display handwriting techniques on the powerpoint and then ask students to write using those techniques) then should will implement what is shown in the powerpoint (applying)
      • It allows students to compare and provides outlines (analysing)
      • Powerpoint can be used to evaluate the overall lesson allowing students to check they know what they should know (evaluating)
      • It allows students to make their own presentations (creating) 
      • All of these will create higher order thinking which is the goal in teaching.
The weaknesses of using powerpoint in the classroom include:
  • There is the ability to abuse powerpoint by just using it as a type of textbook with masses of content being displayed.  This will disengage the learner.
  • Using powerpoints can make learners tune out as they may think they already have the notes they need.
  • May not encourage collaboration
  • If not used appropriately with images etc. powerpoints can be boring.
  • Obviously, power failure could result in problems in using powerpoint.
The opportunities that can exist in using powerpoint to overcome the weaknesses include:
  • Limit the amount of content and use bullet points. 
  • Make sure to stop and discuss the issues shown on the slide with students to ensure they are tuned in and use the slide as a prompting tool and then discuss the issue verbally
  • Bounce ideas off the students and allow for the powerpoint to be stopped and students put into groups to discuss the point on presentation
  • Use images, videos if this will assist in getting the content across.  But do not overload the images so that it becomes too busy and a distraction to students
The threats that may present if the weaknesses are not corrected include:
  • Students will not gain higher order thinking.
  • The powerpoint tool will be ineffective and learning will be jeopardised

Personal Reflection

I really enjoyed using the powerpoint.  Before this course I had never used powerpoint before but had viewed it.  When I am in a lecutre or tutorial I prefer that the material is presented with both visual and audio and so powerpoint has always been a benefit to me in learning.  There are so many ways that the powerpoint can be used, rather than simply a textbook method, that I believe powerpoint is one of the most valuable ICT tools that can be used.  It is easy and effective.  I was surprised that You Tube videos and images could be used in powerpoint.  As often in the past the lecturers that I had only used it for content.  I can see that it is much more effective when images and videos are also used.
I intend to use powerpoint in my classroom where appropriate.

References



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