13 strategies to use Powerpoint to support active learning in classroom

How students learn Build on previously learned materials By active participation ◦ Discussing, brainstorming, solving problems, thinking, generating ideas Extension of learning by doing additional research / work or homework

Structure of a lesson The powerpoint slides should have the following slides Title slide A slide describing the objectives of the lesson Introduction to the topic Content slides – for every 10 mins of presentation of content, there should be some activity Concluding slide

Strategy 1. Opening Question Start off by asking a question The question could ask students to: ◦ recall previous day’s lessons ◦ Relate their own experiences ◦ Some general knowledge about the topic. Ask a reflective question

Strategy 2: Use think-pair-share approach Think-pair-share was first proposed by Lyman (1981). the instructor poses a challenging or open-ended question Gives students a half to one minute to think about the question Pair with a student nearby and discuss After a couple of minutes, instructor asks class for inputs or comments.

Strategy3: Focus Listing Ask students to take out a piece of paper and to generate a list related to the topic. Could be based own assigned reading, previous day’s lessons, or present topics.

Strategy 4: Brainstorming Could be used in the beginning of the class to connect what they know to what they don’t know. Could be used in the middle of a lesson to break the monotony and to get inputs from students. Create an empty slide and start recording on the slide students’ ideas.

What are some advantages of using Powerpoint for teaching? It visualizes what you want to explain Increases the pacing of the lesson Motivate the students by using images or clip arts or photographs or videos Transition of information is dynamic Using sounds and music Making lessons more interesting to students using animations More interactive activities Lesson can be shared to other teachers It saves time during lesson

More time to prepare Students focus on design rather than content No available computers Lack of computer skills Students no time to practice at home

Strategy 5: Ask questions Insert empty question slide at the end of a topic and pause for students to ask questions. Should be done every 15 minutes to give them a break.

Strategy 6: Insert a Black slide Why? Catch students by surprise Draw their attention Ask them a question

Strategy 7: Completion Teacher gives some 1 or 2 key points and allows each student time to expand or complete the task. They can then compare with their neighbour Instead of giving a worked example (mathematics) stop at some stage and let the students complete solving the maths problem.

Strategy 8: Note check Take a moment to ask students to check their notes with their partners Do it for summarizing content or clarifying misconceptions

Strategy 9: Question and Answer pairs At certain points of presentation, ask student to come up with a question and pose it to his/her neighbour. This is to check their understanding. As a class, teacher can then ask students for some of the questions asked or some disputed answers to questions

Strategy 10: Two minute paper Ask students to write a paragraph and this could be done at the end of the lesson to summarize the lesson. Ask students to write a reflection of what they have gained from the lesson.

Strategy 11: Asking the last question Before completion of the lecture, ask students to pose one last question for the whole class to answer.

Strategy 12: Pose Final Question Pose a final question to the class The question could lead them to the content for the next lecture

Strategy 13: Simple form of assessment Incorporate some simple form of formative assessment to test understanding, such as: ◦ MCQ ◦ Mix and match ◦ Fill in the blanks ◦ Label