PowerPoint As An Instructional Tool

I feel that the use of programs, such as Power point presentations can be a very useful way to highlight key points and concepts with every age group, if used well. Younger students can be wowed with the visual aspects that power point employs. I do find that some older students, including myself, get hung up on trying to copy down the slide when used as part of a lecture. This can simply be remedied by providing the students a copy of the slides. As a student, I find this enables me to recall more of the lecture, especially when I can add my own notes next to the slide.

As a teacher, I feel students can use this tool as a way to do their own presentations. It provides an easy way to speak in public with visual back up. Students can do reports in all subjects, particularly language arts and history. The program allows for voice animation which can help very reluctant speakers present as well. The ability to sort the slides, also allows students to arrange and organize their thoughts in a logical manner. Providing copies of their slides to classmates enforces the literacy development goals of students seeing themselves as writers.

Personally, I learned a lot about Power Point with this assignment. My husband and I have both used it to help our older daughters with presentations, but other than one report, I have not used it myself. I like being able to use media to make my point. Using Powerpoint enables me to do so. And as long as the slides are not too wordy, it can be a valuable tool in the classroom. One other point I'd like to make about it. Once a lesson is created, it can be saved and reused often. It also allows for an absent student to view material once they return to class, or it can be emailed if the student has Internet access. One must be diligent to screen their earlier files, however, for up-to-date information and relevance.