I enjoyed reading about PowerPoint and how it can be used in the classroom. I agree that it does have its advantages and disadvantages. It is an easy software to use, but making an interesting PowerPoint with transitions, animations, and graphics can be time consuming. When used to supplement a lecture, PowerPoint is not the most interactive tool, but even still, it can make a lecture more interesting. Adding a visual element to the lecture is great for students who like to see things rather than just hear them. I liked the books suggestion of using PowerPoint slideshows to supply visuals that can then be used to promote discussion (Maloy, et al, 2014, p. 223).
While videos have been around and used in the classroom for a long time, they are still a great tool for teachers to use. Thanks to the internet and sites like YouTube, finding the right video to complement what you are teaching has never been easier. I have used Khan Academy math videos at home and in my classroom many times. I do think videos work best when they are limited to 10 seconds or less. This way students don’t zone out and you can discuss or analyze the video clip while it is still fresh in the students’ minds, making the video a more interactive experience.
Digital cameras can also be very useful in the classroom. They are relatively inexpensive and so versatile. Students can use them to make their own books or to enhance a PowerPoint. I like the suggestion that was made in the book to use them regularly (Maloy, et al, 2014, p. 234). Rather than only pulling them out for special events, use them every day, that way students get lots of practice and become proficient at using them.
Chapter 9 was one of my favorite chapters. It was interesting to learn about several different ways to use multimedia technology in the classroom. I really like how the authors included strategies for use in the classroom at the end of each section.
References
Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
Roberson, C. (2015, March 9). Creativity. Created with Prezi. http://prezi.com/ppfodwbhlnbk/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
Roberson, C. (2015, March 9). Creativity. Created with Prezi. http://prezi.com/ppfodwbhlnbk/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
With the advent of new and different presentation software, PowerPoint is still used often. The important part is how to use it. I use to have an additional assignment for this class on creating one (but with so many other requirements, it got dropped), but the emphasis was on creating a Pecha Kucha (20 slides narrated with 6 seconds per slide for a total of about 6 1/2 minutes), which was definitely a challenge for some who have only seen PP used in the traditional bullet-point style manner. If you are interested, here's more information: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/01/22/pechakucha-powerpoint-359/
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