Using PowerPoint to Enhance Lecture/Discussion Teaching ABSTRACT This brief paper describes an effective alternative use of PowerPoint software that replaces bullet points on slides with visually interesting images that support a teacher’s lecture notes. BACKGROUND Since the early 1980s I have taught courses on political economy and history to adult students enrolled in semester-long not-for-credit courses offered by colleges, universities and other private educational institutions. Because students are not taking these courses as a requirement for a degree or other certification, they have little incentive to complete reading assignments. I frequently provide an end of course test students can take to assess for themselves what they have retained. Under these circumstances, the Socratic approach to instruction in not feasible. Course material must be taught using lecture/discussion. When Microsoft’s PowerPoint software became available and classrooms were equipped with computers and projectors, I began to use it as a replacement for writing notes on a whiteboard as I lectured. However, after a few years I began to experiment with a more visually interesting way to convey concepts than with bullet points on the slides. Instead, each slide now contained an image or photograph found online that coincided with my lecture notes. RECORDING LECTURES The PowerPoint presentations are converted to narrated videos and uploaded to a personal RUclips channel. Students are able to view upcoming lectures ahead to time to familiarize themselves with the material. If they miss a class for any reason they can catch up as time permits. Readers of this article can access these videos by entering my name in the RUclips search line. Lectures and courses are organized into subject-oriented playlists. PREPARATION OF COURSE MATERIAL The use of PowerPoint as described requires considerable time for preparation. The capabilities of PowerPoint are significant if one obtains the necessary training. Finding appropriate image files online can also be time-consuming. Depending on what software is available in the classroom, the teacher may need to have a laptop computer available for a second copy of the PowerPoint enabling the viewing of lecture notes. LEARNING OUTCOMES Teaching using PowerPoint as described has the important benefit of adding visual interest to lecture material. When delivered in person in the classroom, student participation is generally high. When delivered remotely using Zoom, student participation must be encouraged by periodically stopping to ask if there are comments or questions. Students consistently rate these courses and my teaching effectiveness high. Whether the same outcomes can be achieved with undergraduate or graduate students is a question that will require some experimentation.
Thanks, Ambrosia! You can just use shapes to make it happen! We have the file used in the video in the description below that you can download and use as you'd like
Hi Sarah! We create this with screen recording with Screencast-o-Matic & and a green screen. It is edited after recording! We will be releasing a video about it soon - so be on the lookout!
Before watching your video i was assumed that beauty is no more on this planet...Thanks God it is
Using PowerPoint to Enhance Lecture/Discussion Teaching
ABSTRACT
This brief paper describes an effective alternative use of PowerPoint software that replaces bullet points on slides with visually interesting images that support a teacher’s lecture notes.
BACKGROUND
Since the early 1980s I have taught courses on political economy and history to adult students enrolled in semester-long not-for-credit courses offered by colleges, universities and other private educational institutions. Because students are not taking these courses as a requirement for a degree or other certification, they have little incentive to complete reading assignments. I frequently provide an end of course test students can take to assess for themselves what they have retained. Under these circumstances, the Socratic approach to instruction in not feasible. Course material must be taught using lecture/discussion.
When Microsoft’s PowerPoint software became available and classrooms were equipped with computers and projectors, I began to use it as a replacement for writing notes on a whiteboard as I lectured. However, after a few years I began to experiment with a more visually interesting way to convey concepts than with bullet points on the slides. Instead, each slide now contained an image or photograph found online that coincided with my lecture notes.
RECORDING LECTURES
The PowerPoint presentations are converted to narrated videos and uploaded to a personal RUclips channel. Students are able to view upcoming lectures ahead to time to familiarize themselves with the material. If they miss a class for any reason they can catch up as time permits. Readers of this article can access these videos by entering my name in the RUclips search line. Lectures and courses are organized into subject-oriented playlists.
PREPARATION OF COURSE MATERIAL
The use of PowerPoint as described requires considerable time for preparation. The capabilities of PowerPoint are significant if one obtains the necessary training. Finding appropriate image files online can also be time-consuming. Depending on what software is available in the classroom, the teacher may need to have a laptop computer available for a second copy of the PowerPoint enabling the viewing of lecture notes.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Teaching using PowerPoint as described has the important benefit of adding visual interest to lecture material. When delivered in person in the classroom, student participation is generally high. When delivered remotely using Zoom, student participation must be encouraged by periodically stopping to ask if there are comments or questions. Students consistently rate these courses and my teaching effectiveness high. Whether the same outcomes can be achieved with undergraduate or graduate students is a question that will require some experimentation.
Such a marvelous content with such a glorious smile
I liked how your image shifts on the screen. Teach us how to do that, please. God bless you.
Thanks, Francis! Glad you enjoyed it. We do the shifting after recording in post-editing
Thank you so much. this is amazing
Loved the layout (table,bubbles, clouds) wished you could've shown how to do those
Thanks, Ambrosia! You can just use shapes to make it happen! We have the file used in the video in the description below that you can download and use as you'd like
Wow, thanks so much...I will be able to use this for my online lessons this academic year! 💕👍
Yay! Glad we could help make your classroom more engaging :)
This is awesome. Thank you
Thank you for watching! Glad we could help!
Amazing! thank you very much for sharing this one to us
Thank you for watching Jeanelyn! Glad you found it helpful.
cannot download the sample file
👇👇👇👇👇
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We couldn’t find that page, please check the URL and try again.
Thanks for catching that Javier. You can download from here: bit.ly/3WHxm6Y
GREAT
How did she create this video? Loom? Prezi???
Hi Sarah! We create this with screen recording with Screencast-o-Matic & and a green screen. It is edited after recording! We will be releasing a video about it soon - so be on the lookout!