Presentation software applications can be an effective tool for the delivery of a variety of different content in educational classroom settings. Roblyer and Doering (2012) define presentation software as a way to display information, including text, images, audio, and video, in a slideshow format. This software, when used appropriately, can greatly enhance readability, audience engagement, and communication of content. These outcomes can be accomplished when certain criteria for effective presentations are followed. Presentation software has benefits for teachers and students in the delivery and reception of content.
As a science teacher I find the most valuable aspect of presentation software is the use of visuals to support spoken information. There is a great number of ideas, concepts, structures, and models in science that would be hard to correctly form a image for without the support of quality visual representations. “When a presentation product is well-designed, it supports and supplements what the speaker says, using graphics and multimedia to give illustrations and drive home points with images and sound” (Roblyer and Doering, p128). Imagine trying to create an image for the “Fluid Mosaic Model” of the phospholipid bilayer of a cell membrane in your head. Without any prior knowledge what would come to mind? Now click this link “Fluid Mosaic Model” to see the power of a visual image representation. I find presentation software to be invaluable when it comes to creating visual imagery for students. This imagery tells a story of the content that would otherwise be lost if left to spoken word. It also allows students to make connections between important vocabulary by connecting them to their appropriate image.
As a teacher I also find presentation software to be valuable in creating discrete digestible chunks of information. It allows for sequencing of events and the breaking down of complex systems into its more comprehensible parts. It helps students to think through what they are learning and teachers what they are saying, and student can put order to the information being presented. Effective design and delivery is a key component for the positive attributes of presentation software to be seen.
There are a number of resources for presentation software design and use guidelines that should be considered when using this software to deliver content.
Figure 4.1 of Roblyer and Doering has 10 informative guidelines:
Additional Resources:
References:
Roblyer, M. D.,Doering A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching
(6th Edition).Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.
Chad,
ReplyDeleteI really like the resources you used for to make your points. I think you make a great point of the effectiveness that PowerPoint has in teaching science because of the visuals. I don't think you would be able to teach anything without some visuals in science! It really is great to recognize the great resource that PowerPoint is if used correctly. Good post!
Matt