Thankfully due to my previous work experience which involved creating many presentations and briefs, PowerPoint is one digital tool that I feel I can use with the confidence of a 'digital native'. While I have experienced using many of the tools and applications PowerPoint has to offer, my primary use for it was to present knowledge to an audience. After a little divergent thinking and reflecting on my prior experiences I feel that PowerPoint should not be limited to just this use in the classroom. It can also be a way of organising, consolidating and refining knowledge. For instance, PowerPoint could be a uselful and relevant way to plan lessons as they can be easily and readily adpated, added to or changed. It would also be an ideal tool to use for individual electronic student portfolios as Learning Managers could attach digital photos of student work and even digital footage of student observations along with written comments and notes, making it a practical working document.
In terms of what the students can use this tool for, my favourite ideas include creating an interactive book report, creating storyboards or using digital images to create an autobiography or timeline. In Line with Kearsley & Scheiderman's Engagement theory (2001), Learning Managers could use this as a collaborative tool where groups of students work together on a community or school problem or issue (for example 'How can our school reduce its carbon footprint'). Students could not only use PowerPoint to organise their knowledge and research which could then be emailed to the teacher as a form of formative assessment but the end result can be presented in a variety of ways.
PowerPoint can also be used as a non-verbal, visual way of explicit teaching where key information from the PowerPoint can be projected in large font to the entire class. Visual diagrams, images and transitions can be used as a way to engage students, however it essential that content does not take a back seat to presentation and would be wise not to assume students are engaged simply because the page fades into the next.
I would love to hear your thoughts on PowerPoint and more innovative ways to use in the classroom.
Hey Kristen (TK),
ReplyDeleteLooking over your comments regarding PowerPoint got me thinking. Last year I was in a 6/7 composite class that were extremely well versed when it came to PowerPoint. The teacher very rarely used them when delivering content, however students were often required to make a presentation. These presentations were used as assessments as well as individual learning logs. Each slide would give rise to either building/furthering declarative knowledge or embedding another learning tool (such as tables, graphs, photos, wordart, or even widgets). Within one assessment the teacher was able to include many processes (using excell to graph, Uploading/resizing/manipulating photos with photoshop, or even linking relevant websites) related to digital learning as well as focus on other KLA's learning outcomes. I think you have made a good consideration with who the students then show their work to. The Engagement Theory emphasises the need to 'donate'(Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999). Such projects need to be used in relation to real life situations. Flowing on from your idea, it could be beneficial for the students to present to the principle and parents regarding the schools carbon footprint. Even presenting (or posting on the website) to other schools in the area. A very useful tool indeed and one i'm sure all teachers feel confident using.
Bye for now
Hamish.