Until 4 days ago, I was under the impression that anytime I put together a Powerpoint presentation for my students, it was a good thing. I knew they were far from perfect, but I felt anytime I could introduce material in a different manner, it would keep my class fresh and alive. In fact, the other day as I showed my Trig class part of a presentation that I was putting together for them to introduce matrices, I recall a student saying, "I've never seen a Powerpoint done for math before". I rather enjoyed hearing that.
Today, I am hoping the presentations I put so much time and effort into writing and editing did more good than harm. I am lucky to be married to a woman who is a very talented artist. At times, I will ask her to critique my work in Powerpoint (I like to put some related illustration or picture into most slides). She will not "sugar coat" her opinion to save my feelings, which I appreciate. Her favorite phrase, when passing along her view is, "Less is More". In this regard, she has saved students numerous times from being overwhelmed by too much information, too quickly.
I hope to learn how to create more memorable and effective means of passing along information to my students. I am looking forward to having my presentation critiqued by the class and Louis.
I understand how you feel, Bill. I feel the same way. Now I guess I can understand the blank looks on some of the students - I thought they were amazed! In regards to your wife's advice - she sounds like a wise woman. I think I'll remember that advice myself.
ReplyDeleteThe next time I develop a presentation, I'm going to keep in mind the presentation we watched about bacteria - how she used the graphics as a focus point or to illustrate what she was describing versus just projecting bullet points. Again, heeding your wife's advice, the good old KISS method.
Bill, I completely understand how you feel. I edit our administrators presentations to staff all the time. I am constantly removing the "reif-raf" out of it. He likes to add things into it that is not pertainent to what they are trying to get across.
ReplyDeleteLess is more - how Zen. I hope you share more of her wisdom.
ReplyDelete