Get Your Students Hired
I see that as an Instructor it can become an easy trap to fall into( just following a powerpoint). What things or methods do you have as an Instuctor that help you to teach the material and not just follow a powerpoint?
Joseph,
The suggestions you made regarding personalizing the PowerPoint by highlighting a term or phrase then challenging students to find the important information, or even having a student present a small amount of material were great. This would definitely encourage them to do the required reading if they knew they would be called upon to discuss it! As a new instructor of only 6 months, I am always looking for creative ways to present the material and of course ways to keep the student's interest! Critical thinking is a very important skill for nursing students to master, and I think some of your ideas will definitely get the students on track to do just that.
Brenden,
I would like to echo a few others herein who have a split decision on PowerPoint presentations.
I do find that they help the students have a focal point for the lecture and when printed in handout format (3 per page with space for note taking) they become great study tools for the students and allow lecture to go quickly. In culinary, my students want to stop talking and cook!
In order to keep it interesting, I know the content well and use the PowerPoint as a review of a tight, relatable lecture with appropriate real world expamples. After we discuss the content, then I open the PowerPoint and use it as a reinforcement of the key concepts the students will need for testing, for future classes and for the industry.
If there is a high level of memorization for the module I create mnemonics where we act out details to remember in charade-like fashion.
Thanks for getting all the helpful ideas flowing!
Maureen
Hi KarriAnn,
Good point. The human brain is complex in that it wants routine and variety at the same time. As instructors we need to offer routine in the way we start a class and get students settled in and then offer variety in our presentations and activities. These things are what will keep the students engaged and interested in the course.
Gary
I completely agree. I find powerpoints to be very beneficial. Powerpoints keep the lecture organized and all the necessary information is available. However, a powerpoint every week can become boring and students stop paying attention. Adding different teaching techniques/tools is quite valuable to the students' learning.
I try to add & interject as much as possible along with the powerpoint students love stories & sharing related personal experiences.
Hi Darryl,
Well said. Students need variety and by offering different delivery methods you can make that happen. This will help to keep them engaged.
Gary
I agree, I think the instructor needs to learn the material and know what each slide says and also what is on the following slides, that way we don’t depend entirely on reading the slides and making it boring for the students.
I have had many students complain of instructors doing nothing but following the power point. For those who have difficulty in this area it might be helpful to ask the students questions regarding the subject matter this usually keeps them paying attention since they may be called on at any time.
I have never had a student complain about being cheated because I didnt use the power point. I have however had students comment on how much better it is when I dont use the power point because it seems to become just a routine not a lesson. Also they have commented that when I dont use the power point it seems that I know the subject so well I dont need to read it to stay on track. Im sorry if this doesnt work for you but it is my teaching style and I feel the students get more when I discuss the subject rather than following prompts from the screen. Like I said this is ME and if it doesnt work for you thats ok too. We all have our own styles.
By not using the power point I find this helps, as this is primarily the MTV generation, they tend to "change channels" a lot.If you do your speel without the power poit then you can use it a a study tool when you are doe. This will let all the different learning styles be incorporated.
I discuss the subject as I go through the power point. I always use the powerpoint to keep the class on track as we go through it, but rarely do I read word-for-word from it. It seems as though if the powerpoint was not on the board during the lecture, the students feel like they were cheated and sometimes they will use that as an excuse that the received a poor test score. I also find that the powerpoint is a good prompt for myself to stay on track during the lectures.
I follow that same routine in my classroom George. Sometimes depending on the subject I dont even use the powerpoint. Fortunatly in the courses(electronics)I teach the power point has been restructured to only have pictures. All the teaching comes from the book. I dont even open that anymore, I follow the pages in the students books as I walk around the room during our discussions(at a glance I can see whats on the page and I discuss that then move on). To many times have I heard my students complain that some other instructors just read the power point (other courses) and never discuss the subject. Shame...
Very often I start a classroom disscusion without ever using the powerpoint I have found that many times this gets the students attention and can get them excited about gathering further information, It also helps the instructor in getting a read on their students interest in the material.
Use the PP as a guide, as an instructor we should instruct from our own professional experiences. I have found that students relate to our real life knowledge in a more personal mode.They seem to stay more involved in classroom activities.
I like to use the power point that I have created , this way it keeps me on track , and I can expound the subject matter. The power point are to be short, full of cues to direct to to the next subject matter.
Hi Douglas,
Thanks for sharing this teaching tip with us. I am sure this will be of benefit to other instructors.
Gary
One thing I've learned is that a "long" powerpoint is not only frustrating for the student, it's a real hassle for the instructor.
One trick I use that at least breaks the monotony of some slides in my class is to use the projector "zoom" feature. When you have a slide that shows components you can zoom in and the students can really see an item that you are talking about.
The biggest problem with following the powerpoint to the "letter" is that the tests are hardly ever in step with the presentation and when you are just starting out you will get burned by low test scores because you assumed the powerpoint covered test information. Sometime you have to teach the class to see where the pit falls in the powerpoint are.
i agree with you that some instructors fall in this trap. however, if you knew the materials and study them, expounding the concept of the topic is the best way of following this power point material.