Paul: I tried using the textbook's power point slides one semester. The slides were high quality but the results were not good. Students tried to write down every word on every slide rather than listen to my lecture and having class discussions (even though the slides were available online). The exam grades were poor. After that experience, I no longer use power point except in rare occasions to show an important graph or table.

Power point slides should be used as references or as lead words to make a discussion or clarification of some points, not as slides to read from. Otherwise, it will be boring to read from or listen to.

“PowerPoint” slides projected through LCD or LED projectors can be a very effective tool for enlivening the lecture. It is easy to import graphics, photographs, charts, graphs, audio and video clips, and to insert live web links. Used well, it can generate interest and provide rich and varied information. Unfortunately, most “PowerPoint” presentations in class rooms frequently exclude these features, and simply end up as long sequences of slides, mostly with bullet points. Some teachers rely completely on slides for teaching. Bear in mind that the slides are intended to be an aid to what one has to say; but should not be a substitute for it.

I use ppt regulary, but I make them available to students, as online teaching materials. They are useful for me to keep track on the lecture and manage my time more efficiently, and for students they provide key words and access to external material they can use in studying. The only disadvsntage I see is the occasional misusage by students who think ppts are enough to pass the exam.

I think that the question is not WHETHER to use PPTs, but rather HOW to use them. Many people use them poorly an then it becomes "death by PowerPoint."

As others have noted, use them as keywords, to trigger more complete explanations, and every 3-5 slides, have a relevant graphic (graph, chart, photo, etc.) a break up the text and stimulate the brainwaves of the students.

I Agree with most of what i read here.

As I teach Anatomy, I have become totally dependent on the power of powerpoint slides to teach and to keep the students' attention.

It becomes easier to demonatrate two or three images in detail.

I inly use very scarse text, such as colourful titles and keywords that i animate only to enhance the importance of some of my speach, and also as my own memory reminders.

It also becomes a precious tool to keep the correct notion of timing for a speach.

The greatest advance to modernize presentations is of course, the possibility to add short films.

Of course, this is a very particular aproach to the question. But I thought it could bring some light .

When used properly, Powerpoint becomes the perfect tool to grab the students attention to subjects that used to be conventionally considered as boring subjects.

Power points are good when used properly. They stimulate interest and active participation of the learners. The emphasis should be on proper use

To use power points in lecture classes is effective if the instructor follow the guide lines and if it is prepared carefully, considering the following

-issues raised with in a slide

-the font and size and the likes.

For me, using ppt gives a direction how to address my material and drives student to learn (if the ppt creates interestingly and didn' t full of sentences). That"s why I also learn how to improve my ppt by using graph, picture and video. So.. not only helped student to remember the material but also interested learning..

Advantage: repetition helps students remember the words and ideas.

Disadvantage: PP becomes confusing when you add your own ideas while the idea is still available to see and you talk over it in different words. It is difficult for the brain to divide visual from auditory and comprehend both unless they are equal.

Solution: after reading the PP take down the words and turn off the projector. Say a few describing words about the PP idea. THEN, ask the audience to discuss what you said about the idea. Then repeat same words without the PP. The idea discussion will be remembered more clearly because it was introduced visually.

Hi,

My view point.

I have found that most students do not have a good grasp on how to structure their learning effectively, manage their time efficiently and extract the most important information on a lesson from a required text - up-grading it later on with additional data.

It seems that this problem stems from short-comings inherited from secondary education.

My PPTs therefore aim at structure, clear line of thought and logical reasoning. I provide key terms, concepts and analytical connections between them.

Students get the main points I want them to learn; for a higher grade however, they will have to put an additional effort through a wider scope reading.

My observations are also that through PPTs, students enjoy the chance to break the monotony of an otherwise dry note-taking and self-study, especially in data-heavy subjects.

Important to note though is that the PPT format plays an important role in learning outcomes.

Slides must not be overly busy, with super bright colors, occasional brakes in the form of a joke or a funny picture provides students with a much welcome breather.

Presentations must also be talked at, rather than read head-down from one's notes.

If the above-mentioned factors are not met, PPTs become "dull" and "a waste of time." Lecture visits drop.

It is not about powerpoint, it is about showing info on LCD screen. I use excel sheet. If there is calculation or charts, it is convenient. It is an effective tool for teaching statistics. Course content sometimes requires different kinds of tool for the task.