I am wondering how many of you make and use PowerPoints and other visual tools for use in the classroom? I don't like the PowerPoint as lecture note format that is so commonly used; all bulleted text, which can be made fairly easily. I admit I don't have a great deal of experience making PowerPoints, but finding images and inserting them effectively in a slide takes up much more time than I want or certainly have to spend getting ready for a class. I like images that will show up large, sometimes even cropping the image I clip before inserting it.
Even when you find good visuals, they may not be good visuals to use for an in front of class talk because the text on a copied diagram may actually be to small to read. I am finding that making powerpoints that are used on computers may actually be easier and more helpful to students because the text on a diagram is easier to follow.
I like giving students a chance to make them because it can be an effective project, especially when I ask on an evaluation, why did you pick the slides that you did? What were you hoping would coming across with this image? I generally keep a copy of student's work if they let me and use them again.
Given my new awareness of copyright, how do you instruct students about citing slides? I liked Natasha Cleveland's copyright information on her slides. Natasha or anyone else, can you tell me how to include this infomation on a slide? Is there an easy way to download the source link when you save an image from someplace like CreativeCommons or Goggle. When I was selecting slides, it was easy to copy but if I had to go back to find the URL, I might have to look through ten pages of images again.
Thanks for any insights you might have to share.
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I do not use powerpoints much in my class. I teach in the field of math and physics and most of what we do is problem solving. I think it is important for the students to be able to see someone solving problems rather than just looking at pre-written notes. Of course I sometimes have to show slides and pictures and whatnot, but mostly I am writing on the board. However, I have begun to incorporate some simulations now.
ReplyDeleteTom, I responded to your question on my blog before I saw your post. I have gotten in the habit of copying the source of an image at the same time that I copy or save the image. I don't know if there is an easier way, but I simply cut and paste the url into a textbox and then add the name of the source. I do it for all images, even free ones, because I want students to know the source for the images.
ReplyDeleteI use PowerPoint a lot, but basically just to organize and display photos, animations, and other figures. When I started out 6 years ago, I included SO much text on the slides and students copied every word furiously. Looking back, I realize it was a teaching crutch.
i commented on this on my post this week, but i believe powerpoint is almost a necessity for presentation in the classroom. because it is used with regularity in the classroom in college and in business, and we need to teach them how to deal with that, not constantly, we don't need to beat them over the head with it, or do it to the detriment of their education. but we also can't pretend it isn't a reality we have to prepare them for.
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