PowerPoint in the Classroom

Students can tire quickly of strictly oral presentations in the classroom.  So how can a teacher present a lesson or unit and keep the students’ attentions at the same time?  The answer:  technology, of course.  PowerPoints are an excellent method for giving any type of presentation, especially in the classroom.  Teachers can use so much creativity when developing a PowerPoint presentation, including the use of text, graphics, videos, and even web links, which can keep the students’ interests while also satisfying technology related standards.  Moreover, students can see the use of technology being modeled and can even use PowerPoint applications themselves for their own presentations in the classroom.

PowerPoints can be created for any subject and any content areas.  In fact, I created a PowerPoint to introduce a unit on Bridge to Terabithia which I presented to a fourth grader.  This student was intrigued by the presentation and eager to read the book afterwards.  According to this student, she was able to understand what she was expected to look for throughout her reading of the text and what she should know upon completion of the story.  These were the ultimate goals for the PowerPoint, to ensure that the audience would know the point of the unit and what they should learn from it.  I cannot say that I was particularly proud of any one aspect of the PowerPoint, but more so that I was proud of the entire assemblage, itself.    However, if I were to recreate it, I would most certainly include web links to interactive web sites and even the author’s own web site to reinforce some of the content within the presentation.

Of course, when producing a PowerPoint presentation, one must take certain details into consideration.  Otherwise, the intended purpose will not be accomplished.  These guidelines can be found at http://www.professionalspeakersguild.com/articles/techpres.html.  According to this article, “Using Computer Presentation Programs Effectively,” when creating a PowerPoint, one should:

1. Add, don’t detract.
2. Don’t distract.
3. Know your stuff.
4. Know your medium.
5. Stay home.

But, what does all this mean?  Well, one should certainly add to their PowerPoint presentation by further explaining its content, but should not, however, say anything that could distract from the intended message.  Also, know your information; don’t depend on the PowerPoint itself.  Make sure you are familiar with the actual PowerPoint application, too, since technical problems are always possible.  Finally, use your PowerPoint as an outline rather than to include every word of your presentation.  Otherwise, the audience could just read it for themselves.

PowerPoint can definitely be a useful tool in the classroom.  Teachers, as well as students, can have a lot of fun with this computer application while also guaranteeing that attentions and interests are maintained if this tool is used appropriately and successfully.  Educators also make certain that standards relating to technology are met through the use of PowerPoint.  With this knowledge, why wouldn’t teachers want to use PowerPoint in the classroom?

Mull, G. (2005).  Using computer presentation programs effectively.  Professional Speakers Guild.  Retrieved from http://www.professionalspeakersguild.com/articles/techpres.html
Image from http://instructify.com/category/powerpoint/

Desktop Publishing in the Classroom

Desktop publishing, the use of a computer to create printed works containing text and/or graphics, is a very valuable tool in the classroom.  Not only does it benefit teachers by allowing them more productivity with greater efficiency, but it also benefits students through motivation and variation in learning techniques.  This technological tool can reinforce content already learned while also promoting language and editing skills.  Brochures, anthologies, journals, and reports/papers are just some of the ways students can make use of desktop publishing programs.  Teachers can also use these tools for creating syllabuses, worksheets and handouts, class rules and expectations, student assessments, newsletters and much more. 

Neatness is just one of the benefits of using desktop publishing programs.  The printed text allows for orderliness giving readers greater ability to make sense of what is written.  In addition, editing and revisions can be accomplished in a much more organized manner allowing writers to understand the changes that need to take place.  Desktop publishing also allows the insertion of graphics within text which can attract readers’ attentions.  Of course, too many graphics or too much clutter can be distracting to viewers, thereby defeating the intent of the printed piece by deflecting from its message.  When using desktop publishing programs, creators should keep the message in mind, as well as organization, to achieve their intended purpose.

The flyer shown above is meant to promote the use of desktop publishing in the classroom.  Through text and graphics, the benefits for both teachers and students are evident.  There is even a list of ways teachers and students can apply desktop publishing in the classroom.  The pictures on the flyer reveal students using computers to develop publications using desktop publishing.  The first draft of this flyer contained more graphics, but this was found to be distracting.  As mentioned before, this was digressing from the message that this flyer was meant to signify.  Therefore, this final product became the outcome in order to fulfill the intended purpose.

Regardless of what the message is supposed to be, though, desktop publishing is an excellent tool in the classroom.  It should absolutely be implemented by all teachers for use by themselves and with their students.  It can make the planning process so much more productive and efficient giving teachers more time to devote to their students’ educational needs.  Desktop publishing is also a wonderful learning tool for students as it provides enthusiasm for completing assignments and projects while also exposing them to fundamental and essential practices.  Every instructor should use desktop publishing for and in the classroom.

Spreadsheets and Databases in the Classroom

Spreadsheets and databases can be excellent technological tools in the classroom.  They are especially beneficial to teachers as organizational tools as they are handy for keeping track of grades and other student information.  However, these tools can be valuable for students, also, if teachers make use of them properly.

The web link, http://www.amphi.com/~psteffen/excel.html, offers many further links to various sites concerning the integration of spreadsheets in the classroom.  These websites can be very helpful in offering teachers the knowledge of making use of spreadsheets and databases with their students.  Teachers, with the use of these technological tools, can not only provide a more effective and efficient learning experience, they can present a much more motivating learning environment for their students, thereby allowing them the increased ability to reach their full potentials.

Another link, http://juliannbetker.efoliomn.com/spreadsheets, also provides several examples of the uses of spreadsheets and databases in the classroom.  In fact, there are some rather interesting methods of spreadsheet use on this site that I had not thought of.  Of course, I realized the various applications spreadsheets may have in the mathematics, science, and social studies classrooms with graphing, surveying, timelines, etc. and that graphing could also be used in art.  However, I had not recognized the uses these tools could have in language arts other than for creative writing concerning the information input and obtained from spreadsheets and databases.  The aforementioned site refers to several uses of spreadsheets in the language arts classroom, though, that were surprising to me including the creation of vocabulary lists with study guides and crossword puzzles.  This would be an excellent technique for not only using spreadsheets, but also helping students to more effectively learn their vocabulary words while also providing more fun and interesting motivation for learning them.  This site also mentioned the learning of parts of speech using a mad-lib activity or grammar scrambler developed on a spreadsheet.  This, too, would be a more fun and interesting way of learning a language art concept, thereby providing the necessary enthusiasm for learning.

All classrooms, no matter the content area, can find some use of spreadsheets and databases.  These are excellent tools for integrating other content areas into a particular subject.  I believe it is important to do this, to relate subjects to one another and also to relate them to the real world.  As a teacher, I would certainly use these tools in relation to real-world issues.  After having students survey others about a specific issue, I would have them graph their findings both manually and using spreadsheets.  This would be a very efficient method for integrating various content areas and relating them to the real world. 

Since all teachers should wish nothing less for their students than their best, they should make every effort to help their students accomplish this.  Technology, including the use of spreadsheets and databases can be excellent tools for doing so.  Therefore, every teacher should strive to provide this opportunity for their students.

Image from http://www.123rf.com/photo_9353075_cartoon-kids-with-computer--vector-illustration.html

Technology in the Classroom

Not so very many years ago, children attended school in one-room schoolhouses.  The sun glowed through the windows shining light onto the chalkboard, the central tool used by teachers for lessons.  There was no electricity, let alone computers and other such technology available to students today.  In fact, so many technological tools now exist that some people may not even be aware of several of them.  These tools can prove quite beneficial within the classroom to both teachers and students.  Not only should they be used, but according to standards by which teachers are required to abide, technology must be used.  National and state teachers’ standards necessitate the use of technology and there are even specific standards for the use of technology referred to as the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers and for Students (NETS*S).  These standards mandate how teachers should use technology in the classroom to benefit themselves and their students.

Instructors can make various uses of technology to provide more effective and efficient teaching.  Some examples include spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, word processing, powerpoints, web pages, graphic organizers, and blogs, though there are many uses of technology which could be added to this list.  These tools can provide more differentiated education allowing for increased learning across all learning styles.  They can also allow for more efficient assessments and evaluations.  Actually, this is one of the NETS*S, “Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments.”

Because I realize how important the use of technology is for my students in the classroom, I will continue to use and expand these technological practices.  While I already use online sources, word processing, and powerpoints, I have not made use of desktop publishing.  As I am merely a substitute teacher, the necessity of this has not arisen.  However, as a regular teacher, I would certainly use desktop publishing.  There are so many applications of desktop publishing which could be used in the classroom.  I would most certainly use this tool for creating weekly newsletters for students to take home because communication between home and school is vitally important for students and their educations.  Additionally, students could use desktop publishing in the classroom for creating journals, brochures, and other pieces of writing.  Desktop publishing could even be used to develop anthologies of writings within the class.  Of course, because I have never used desktop publishing, I will certainly have to familiarize myself with this type of technology.  To do so, I will research this tool thoroughly online and practice using it before applying it in the classroom.  This should also allow me to discover other ways in which desktop publishing can be helpful in the classroom.

Teachers should strive to maximize their students’ learning, making sure they reach their full potentials.  Technology is absolutely necessary to do this.  So many benefits can come from its proper use.  Any teacher, believing in the importance of their students’ educations, should be more than willing to learn about and apply the use of technology.

Image from http://www.rapides.k12.la.us/vi/mspublisher.htm