Instructor: Brad Atkinson PowerPoint Instructor: Brad Atkinson

Why Use PowerPoint? PowerPoint provides a focus. Ideas are reinforced. You can create an atmosphere with PowerPoint. Persistence; information and directions are written or demonstrated.

DON’T USE PowerPoint WITHOUT an OUTLINE! So, How Do I Use It? DON’T USE PowerPoint WITHOUT an OUTLINE!

Create an outline for your project, then make the presentation Create an outline for your project, then make the presentation. This helps keep you away from that “electronic fog.” Are you familiar with this problem? It occurs when you are looking at a monitor and composing something off the top of your head. Personally, I can lose focus easily when I’m in front of a monitor and so making my outline first provides me with a roadmap while I’m creating the presentation.

What’s All the Hype? PowerPoint is a wonderful tool for learning in both a student and teacher-directed situation. Used properly, PowerPoint can be one of the most powerful tools for disseminating information ever known. Employed inappropriately, PowerPoint could potentially confuse students and make learning a difficult process.

Triple “P” Triple “P” (PowerPoint Paralysis) – The over zealous concentration on the utilization of PowerPoint, while concurrently disregarding the content being exhibited.

What’s Good About PowerPoint? 1. PowerPoint is fun to watch and fun to make. 2. Used correctly, PowerPoint can accommodate all learner’s needs. 3. It has a spell-check function! Something our black boards and overheads lack. 4. It motivates students when used in moderation. 5. It motivates staff.

What’s Good About PowerPoint? 6. PowerPoint allows you to reflect on your lesson and correct any needed changes. Finally, you can create the perfect lesson! 7. Imagine to be able to print out what you did in class for students that were absent. Better yet, turn the accountability on to students and post your presentations on-line. 8. PowerPoint is not hard to learn. It should take about one hour to learn the basics.

What’s Bad About PowerPoint? 1. Content can sometimes take a back seat to flash. Watch-out for triple “P.” 2. Computers crash, networks go down, viruses can plague computers! Always have a back-up plan! 3. Overuse can bore learners and diminish PowerPoint’s effectiveness.

What’s Bad About PowerPoint? 4. Classrooms need large monitors or projectors to display presentations. 5. A successful presentation can take several hours to develop.

The Bottom Line When it comes to enhancing learning, black boards are good, overheads are better, but PowerPoint is the best. PowerPoint is a great tool for learning, but watch out for the triple “P!”