As technology advances, the approach in teaching also improves. A particular example is using PowerPoint as a tool for learning. More often than not, teachers use this kind of presentation to introduce learning to students. In fact, both teachers and students find this medium a very convenient way of delivering content.
However, the problem about using PowerPoint in teaching is that it is often misused by a lot teachers as well as students. Instead of gracing a report, the PowerPoint presentation sometimes becomes a boring medium for learning. Mr Jelson Capilos, an AheadPro communication trainer, stresses that it should add ‘power’ to the ‘point or message’. He further emphasizes that it should ‘reinforce, not replace a speaker’s actual speech’.
The Correct Use of PowerPoint in Teaching
PowerPoint was created to enhance topic presentations as well as to ease up the whole process of reporting. To ease up a report, for every slide of the presentation, a 7-by-7 rule must be observed. Specifically, a slide must contain only seven lines the most where each line must contain a maximum of seven items. In short, each slide must target simplicity. Mr Capilos quotes Leonardi Da Vinci, ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.’
When using PowerPoint, you must carefully analyze the audience’s skills and ability. Learners find it easier to remember things when they write, see, and hear something. Therefore, a PowerPoint presentation must attract the eyes of the readers and encourage them to write something. One speaker leaves the main words blank on the notes he distributes to his audience. This makes his audience anticipate the word and it greatly helps in keeping them attentive.
When discussing, you must also interestingly explain the contents of the slide to appeal to the audience’s sense of hearing. ‘Speak freely’, Mr Capilos remarks. ‘Do not use the slides as a teleprompter.’ To be more confident, he highly underscores practicing your presentation as to having POWER: Plan, Outline, Write, Edit, Rehearse. He quotes Batman, ‘Victory is in the preparation’.
A Misuse of PowerPoint in Teaching
There is a common rule to follow before a PowerPoint presentation can effectively aid in teaching but it is not generally observed in classrooms. Here are some of the most common misuses of this application in schools:
- Reading off the slides. Presenters usually read each slide of the presentation word for word which makes the delivery boring. This also makes the PowerPoint presentation becomes the main attraction instead of the students who are supposed to be the center of learning.
- Distributing copy of the PowerPoint presentation after discussion. Some teachers provide copies of the slides to students which lessens students’ attention. If students anticipate that they can have a copy of whatever the teacher is talking about, they will no longer listen or take down notes during the class.
- Distributing the slides beforehand. There are some educators that provide a copy of the presentation right before the discussion begins. However, when this is done, students lose their motivation to pay attention when the actual discussion is held.
- Over-simplifying the slides. Most presenters overdo the simplifying of the slides. Instead of an information-rich slide, what students usually get is bare information from the slides presented.
Most of these situations are observed in educators. Apparently, the continued misuse of PowerPoint may be passed on to students and therefore lose its function as a great tool in classroom setting. If this happens, no one will ever learn to properly use it. To maximize the application of this program, teachers and students must observe the common rules in using it. Teachers will be immensely aided in their teaching approaches and students will have a greater opportunity for learning.