I love using Microsoft Power Point!
I remember learning how to use power points back in primary school around grade 5.
I used them throughout high school and still use them occasionally in assessments at university!
I have even used them during lesson with preps and grade ones.
Power Point is an easy tool to use and to learn ('Setup Wizard' can be used).
They can be simple (just words and pictures, changing at the click of a mouse) or they can be complex (Changes automatically - set to a certain time, plays video's, music, moving animations etc).
In my experience, over the past 2years I have seen power points used in a variety of effective ways:
I remember learning how to use power points back in primary school around grade 5.
I used them throughout high school and still use them occasionally in assessments at university!
I have even used them during lesson with preps and grade ones.
Power Point is an easy tool to use and to learn ('Setup Wizard' can be used).
They can be simple (just words and pictures, changing at the click of a mouse) or they can be complex (Changes automatically - set to a certain time, plays video's, music, moving animations etc).
In my experience, over the past 2years I have seen power points used in a variety of effective ways:
- As part of a lesson: showing pictures, playing a video, key ideas and spelling word
- Learning a song for assembly: lyrics typed and highlighted when they need to be sung
- Photo slide: Photos throughout the year were shown on break-up day
- Visual aid: I found with younger grades, having the visual representation left on the board keeps them engaged and also is a good form of modelling; because when it comes to them copying off the board/screen having the picture or word in front of them results with clearer, precise results.
Visual aid example: I recently implemented a science lesson using a power point. We were looking at the inside of a seed (picture on PP) and were labelling it as a class. When the students were asked to draw/copy and label the same diagram that was on the screen, I was amazed at some of the students drawings. Students who usually had some difficulty in drawing 'realistic' pictures, were showing me an exact replica of the image on the board - all they needed was that visual representation kept in front of them.
The only negatives I have found are:
- Distraction: if moving animations are used they can often distract learners (especially in the younger grades)
- Doesn't Work: sometimes the power point (which you have given a run through before the lesson) doesn't run smoothly or work at all, once you're using it in front of the class.
Although, whether this is a power point problem or a computer problem or the user's problem is open to discussion :)
I enjoy using power point personally and within a classroom!
It is definitely a digital tool I would reccommend to any teacher!
Hi Emily,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your ideas about using PowerPoint! Last year I was in a Year 2 classroom, and we took the kids through how to use powerpoint and make their own presentation about themselves - they absolutely loved it! And they grasped how to use the program so quickly! I was thinking that perhaps this could be an activity at the beginning of the year, where students are able to create a powerpoint presentation about themselves, and share it with the rest of the class? Sort of like a "getting to know you" but incorporating ICT's. What do you think?
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an excellent idea!
And they were able to design and present their own powerpoint presentation all by themselves?
If so, they would be an excellent way to 'get to know' the class!
Emily.