WORD PROCESSOR AND POWER POINT IN THE CLASSROOM

A word processing and power point program does not require highly advanced hardware. This means that even if the computers available are not very powerful we can install the program. In many schools the computer room is not the ideal one, sometimes we have very new computers together with older ones, but if we use a word processor, we can take advantage of all of them.

A. Why use word processors? For Teachers: Teachers can prepare, create and share materials. For Learners: Learners can practice writing skills, grammar and other language points as well as to present their works.

1. Word processors for teachers: creating materials Inserting images and links Creating forms Using track changes

2. Word processing activities for learners a. Creative writing; Thesaurus, Spell Check Advantages: model texts, share texts, produce them collaboratively and engage in peer and teacher editing b. Language practice; Advantages: 1. guide learners 2. less time-consuming 3. increasing awareness

c. Further activities; Dictation Presenting work Using word processors: considerations Anxiety Frustration Speedy teaching Malfunction

B. POWER POINT Power Point presentations can be used many ways within the classroom. There are two basic types of presentations:  Those created by the Teacher  Those created by the Student

Teacher Generated Teachers create presentations themselves for a variety of reasons: To present material with text and graphics (better than just a lecture) To design interactive shows for students to work their way through themselves To create Web Quests for students As a tool to assess student knowledge (by creating an interactive quiz/test) And many, many more!

Student Generated Students can create PowerPoint presentations as well: To present a project to a class Either individually or in groups As an alternative to writing an essay As a way to show the progress of an assignment (e.g. a step-by-step guide on how they wrote an essay) Etc.

PowerPoint Outline The PowerPoint program has an outline built in. By typing in the outline window, you automatically create text on different slides. Worry about making the slides more interesting later – when you first begin make sure all your content is there!

Design Considerations There are certain basic rules you should take into consideration when actually designing your show: The main rule is that you should choose a consistent design throughout the presentation. This can easily be accomplished by choosing a pre-set “Design Layout” Background Balance Text Fonts Color Scheme Graphics Effects

Background Stick with a single background scheme The background is the stage for your information Set the stage and leave it alone! They should be simple, not graphical, and preferably a light color (pastel) if black print is used Two color gradients are acceptable where one is white and the other is pastel

Balance Make sure things look balanced on the screen Bulleted lists should be justified to the left By placing graphics off to the side, rather than in the middle, it allows more room for text

Text AVOID TYPING IN ALL CAPS! Avoid using italics (they are difficult to read!) Make sure there is not a “text overload” on a slide Basic guidelines suggest: Six - Ten words per line Six - Eight lines per page

Fonts Stick with similar fonts throughout the presentation Use only a few Use ones that are easy to read Try to use the same size for the heading on each slide Font size should be easy to read Try not to use type smaller than 24pt

Color Scheme Colors that work well together are the best PowerPoint has specific color schemes already built in Use strong, contrasting colors Remember – it might look good on the screen, but it also needs to look good through the projector if it is going to be presented to a class!