PowerPoint has for some time been a standard application in making presentations. Despite the omnipresence of PowerPoint in presentations, it is unclear whether presenting or "teaching" produces meaningful learning. Mindful teachers and technologists encourage us to ask some important questions:
- How can teaching tools support learning?
- How do we know when technology is effective in doing so?
- To what extent is our time, energy, and financial investment in technology rewarded in terms of meaningful learning?
The difference between forgettable presentations and effective technology-supported-learning is a matter of mindful approach, construction, delivery, assessment, and critical reflection
In teams of 2 students, brainstorm common interests in something fun and professionally revealing which most folks could stand to learn more about. Professionally revealing means your choice reveals something important about you--in a way which provides subtle evidence of your merit as a professional educator
For example, I might "teach" a class any of the following
- Why and how to juggle (professionally revealing here = research-based suggestion of brain development through simple fun)
- Why and how wooden snowshoes are excellent along the North Shore (professionally revealing = some traditions are time-honored and valuable)
- Why and William Stafford's poetry should be available in tattoo form (professionally revealing = eternal truths merit an everyday medium)
Then explore the possibilities for creating a project enjoyable, useful, and meaningful to both of you.
Incorporate the following content items into an approximately10 slide PowerPoint learning experience
- An original and thematically fitting slide background (existing PPT designs will not be accepted)
- Interactive navigation
- A variety of slide layouts
- Highly readable typefaces, point sizes, high contrast colors, and thematic color schemes
- 5+ original and instructive images (modify images with any software application for enhanced effects)
- 5+ borrowed, instructive, and cited images
- 1+ instructive sound file (narration, music from a file or CD, etc), and be sure to save your presentation as a .ppt package so your sound does not get lost; remember to insert your music CD when presenting--as most pre-recorded music files are not embedded in your presentation
- 1+ instructive video file, and be sure to save your presentation as a .ppt package so your sound does not get lost
- Use of drawing tools to create your own graphics (experiment with different types of boxes, circles, lines, call outs, color, etc)
- Slide transitions, animations, and timings if you choose
- A references page with working URL links to borrowed and cited sources (and other resources as you choose)
- A slide footer including your names, PPT title, and page numbers
- Your work saved to your network storage space and a CD as a PPT package, a QuickTime Movie, and a web presentation
While watching your peers teach with technology, reflect and write about the following items:
- Create a table noting things your classmates have done with PowerPoint design which help you learn.
- Create a table noting things your classmates have done with PowerPoint design which get in the way of your learning.
- In a reflective essay, identify things educators ought to bear in mind when designing learning experiences with the support of PPT or any other presentation software. Explain why you have made these recommendations. Consider borrowing a page from a recent student who adopted an exaggerated voice, had some fun, and made some excellent observations. She began, "Dear Educators," and ended "Sincerely, The PowerPoint Master." Consider the options, and then make them yours.
Note: Time permitting, you will spend 5-10 minutes teaching us with your content. Please practice saving your work to a CD and your UMD network space via MyFiles. Practice pulling your PPT package down from your storage space and engaging it on a computer other than the one(s) you use to create it. Practice builds confidence, enables us to utilize all our cool work, and teaches us a lot by getting early mistakes out of the way.
Exemplary |
Accomplished |
Developing |
Beginning |
|
Layout |
Striking utilization of space, shapes, colors, shades, modified images, text, sizes, and related elements create lucid readability and distinctive theme.Layout is clearly original and technically demanding. |
Smart combinations of space, shapes, colors, shades, modified images, text, sizes, and related elements enable solid readability and recognizable theme.Layout appears original and skillful or is a fresh and skillful modification of an existing form. |
Array of space, shapes, colors, shades, images, text, sizes, and related elements are functional.Layout is a functional modification of an existing form. |
Organization and form are confusing or insufficiently cohesive.Layout lacks evidence of modification or personalization. |
Function |
Interactive navigation, multimedia files, external links, and appearances, transitions, and timings are used in a manner which optimizes learning. |
Interactive navigation, multimedia files, and external links are responsive and consistent. |
Navigation, links, and related files generally work. |
Navigation, links, and related files are consistently unresponsive. |
Content |
Project is compelling and instructive in writing, sound, video, and related information--as explained in critically self reflective writing. |
Project is informative in writing, sound, video, and related information--as explained in reflective writing. |
Project is functional in writing, sound, video, and related information--as explained in reflective writing. |
Written content may contain frequent errors or reflection which lacks support and explanation. |