The use of PowerPoint presentations in schools takes advantage of education technology integration strategies and techniques. However, student learning is not improved when these presentations are merely a substitute for note taking bullets from older overhead projectors. To take advantage of the power of this technology, the elimination of boring slide shows must be replaced with interactive story telling that keeps students engaged.
Integrating the power of online technology in PowerPoint presentations is not as complicated as in the past. With education technology Web 2.0 tools and information available on the Internet, interactive software applications, and online social software the possibilities are unlimited. Students live in a world of mass media and interactive PowerPoint presentations can take advantage of student learning styles to improve their learning concepts.
Teaching Strategies
Some might view such interactive PowerPoint presentations strategies as edutainment; however, there is no reason why education should refrain from using education technology models that clearly engage students.
The following are some examples of how to support student learning:
- Popup Videos – used as concept supporting scenes and enrichment information in PowerPoint presentations for allowing learning to become more engaging and relevant for students. Existing online videos are available in every content area or create videos using Animoto, which is free for teachers.
- Background Words – used as a second voice or alter-ego in PowerPoint presentations to translate concepts into everyday words and images to provide students with connections to their world and previous concepts.
- Dual Encoded Messages – used as a method of interpreting visual concept images juxtaposed on musical lyrics, which blend the two sources into a cohesive story.
Learning Strategies
The student learning environment uses education technology strategies that increase understanding and helping students make connections in and between concepts. Content examples include the following learning strategies:
Science – students share experimental data directly from a spreadsheet and graph of experimental results for other students to view. This strategy helps students compare and contrast their findings with classmates. Entire classes have the opportunity to participate in interactive science activities that provide connections with concepts that are not practical or limited by classroom resources. This strategy works well with online science projects that involve all students.
Mathematics – the integration of online virtual manipulatives offers hundreds of opportunities for allowing students to experience online problem solving situations, multi-sensory games, and puzzles. Students have real-time opportunities to explore numerical operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis mathematical concepts.
Social Studies – the integration of online resources from the Smithsonian Institution provides hundreds of artifacts through images and online videos to support student learning. Integrating images, songs, and videos from historical sites in PowerPoint presentations help make learning history more engaging and relevant for students.
Language Arts – the integration of online books help support student learning by making reading more engaging. The use of Wordle can be used to highlight the key points, concept words, or introduce books through the use of word clouds of books or for use top support creative writing. PowerPoint presentations provide a superb tool for demonstrating real-time editing procedures.
Graphic Organizers – interactive graphic organizers provide the opportunity for students to collaborate as a class to brainstorm, organize, and visualize their ideas. These interactive organizers work well with PowerPoint presentations to support student learning through development of data organization, identifying main ideas, development of order and sequence, process and cycle diagrams, and more.
Timer or Stopwatch – there are many online resources for downloading countdown clocks that keep students informed of how much time is remaining when working on science investigations, tests, time remaining before rotating to the next learning center, and time remaining until project completion.
Online Tests and Quizzes – as a green application or cost saving measure, integration of online tests and quizzes in PowerPoint presentations for students to complete savings time and resources. Examples include Exam Builder, Easy Test Maker, and Quiz Center.
Web 2.0 Tools – integrating Twitter or Skype into presentations to provide real-time communication with students in other schools to support concept development or communication with experts to support student learning. This makes any lesson engaging and relevant to content being studied.
Making Connections with PowerPoint Presentations and Student Learning
Instead of using PowerPoint presentations terminology such as slides, bullets, and information; the use of terminology such as stories, movies, narratives, frames, and activities are better representations of the power of PowerPoint. To fully engage students in learning activities, these presentations must emphasize important concepts through visual representation of data, illustrations, narratives, videos, virtual manipulatives, and more. Integration of online education technology into PowerPoint presentations supports student learning beyond note taking.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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