Power Points
I use power points only as a guiding tool for my lecture or demonstration. I relate to my students by giving them real world situations that I've experienced throughout my career. I teach them that they will have choices for their career in hospitality and that not all avenues are for everyone.
Todd,
I think this is a better way to do PPT slides, rather than trying to put all necessary information on the slides. That's what the textbook, workbook, and any handouts are for. PPT should be a mere summary to guide the instructor for discussion. And I also think it's better when PPT slides are used along with other activities, mixing it up to help keep interest.
Barry Westling
I agree that powerpoint presentations are a very effective and efficient way of delivering information. Most of the textbooks have created powerpoint presentations as templates for instructors to use. Along with information delivery, powerpoint can be used to show youtube videos (inserting hyperlinks) and test students with the use of clickers such as turning point. With clickers, students will receive a clicker device and the powerpoint will have a question and be given the opportunity to click on the correct answer using their device. This method is a way to reinforce the material in a very interactive way as well as give feedback to the instructor of how well the content is being received by the percentage of correct answers that were given. Additionally, http://www.actden.com/pp/ is a great resource to help streamline the content on powerpoint and make them more interesting.
Allison,
Clickers are great! I like the ability to ask questions and solicit answers anonymously, as a way to discuss both correct and incorrect responses. Plus the students get to see results. The biggest problem I've encountered with clickers is in some classes, as the responses are viewed, some students take this to mean "time for chatting, talking, discussing -- in essence, distracting the whole class. And while I can address that behavior, it is something I see repeated frequently enough. But even so, the effectiveness of the clicker technology reinforces their use, and outweighs their non-use due to this occasional annoyance.
Barry Westling
I agree with that, we need to use powerpoint presentation just as a guide for our classes. We should not rely 100% on them. Giving personal examples of real situation in the field, works perfectly as well.
Carlos,
When we read stories in a book, we create a images in our mind. So can sharring stories in class, images in the students mind. Sometimes, PPT slides with too much information can cloud the image we want to create.
Barry Westling
I find that the ppts made by the text book company lack any style, they are boring and the students see that! I try to incorporate ppts that the instructors have made over the years because they add more to the chapters they are working on instead of repeating what they are studying. I believe each students learns in different ways and what one student would get from one ppt, another will get it better with a different ppt. If that makes any sense haha.
Tina,
I agree. I only use slides I've made myself, primarily because I can include just the information I want, and in the format I think is useful.
Barry Westling
I think PowerPoints, if used incorrectly can really deter student learning. They are a good refernce point but much of the learning takes place in class discussion and in the teacher personality.
Stephanie,
I agree. PPT is a tool and every tool has a specific tool. Unfortunately, some instructors think of the PPT tool like an Swiss Army knife, useful for every situation and activity. Of course, that is not the case. Use the tool when applicable, but only then.
Barry Westling
I use the clicker so I can observe the students and walk around the classroom. Power Point presentaions are great, however they are no substitute for good subject knowledge. Many times the students will see something on a power point and not be able to releate it to the task at hand. I always follow up the power point with a demonstration to lock in the information.
Beryl,
I use PPT as a guide for discussion, more than providing all of the information. I believe the textbooks can provide needed information in great detail much better than a summarized version in a PPT slide. Clickers are great, especially for discussion. Provides for better engagement, interest, and is usually more enjoyable.
Barry Westling
Sometimes instructors go overboard with animations, colors, fonts, etc and the ppt becomes more of a distraction than a presentation tool.
Gary,
Yeah, like the lesson states, "Death by PowerPoint". I try to look at my PPT slides from the students perspective, such as "how can I best convey what I need to without unnecessary distraction, clutter, or fancy formatting (that should really be left up to the experts). Simple is really better and allows the student to focus on the information, rather than the tool that's providing it.
Barry Westling
In building slides, it is important to consider the audience and purpose, some content may be highly technical and require specific definitions. Further definitions or details could be presented in notes section of a slide and referenced only if necessary.
Margaret,
Some instructors think they need to use all the bells and whistles in a PPT slide presentation but most students are not impressed with the commotion and are actually distracted by the busyness the slides depict. Formatting should be simple and straightfoward. You're right, audience and purpose defines best how and what to include.
Barry Westling
I enjoy using Power Points to touch important points of the topic. I do not like for it to be the sole source of information provided to my students. I enjoy being able to elaborate on the subject presented with each slide, therefore I engage the students in the learning process.
Ethel,
PPT slide presentations can be a great tool to support an instructor's delivery of course material. I want to avoid having PPT (or any other instructional aid) dominate what I have to give to students. Unfortunately, too many instructors subject their students by "death by PPT", wherein the PPT becomes the focus rather than the information it' trying to convey. There's an old saying that "to a hammer, everything is a nail". So my perspective is to use the right tool in appropriate doses.
Barry Westling
I too do not concentrate soley on powerpoint. I feel the hands on compliments the slides and vice versa.
Tenika,
Great, and I'm sure your students appreciate that too. Most students enjoy lab. It's the theory and it's delivery that is a challenge to keep interest. Breaking up these lecture sessions into smaller segments with variety does much to keep students engaged.
Barry Westling
