Powerpoint 101

Well, I now understand why we had to do our PowerPoint stories last week. Because this week we get to create and assignment for our "class" to fulfill using PowerPoint. What better way to learn how the program works than to have to use it, thoroughly?!

I think PowerPoint is a great tool. Some of the pro's about using the program are obvious.

1) Organization
2) visually appealing (hopefully)
3) Keeps the conversation/presentation focused

..among other things.

However, with every good thing there is the not-so-good. I currently have a professor who uses PowerPoint to the degree of over-kill. Big time. Not only is he totally predictable in class each day, his organization of bullet points is beyond confusing. He briefly highlights the bullet points and moves on, rather quickly. It's a hard class to get through. Every day, for an hour, the class gets to stare at the PowerPoint presentation.

I think PowerPoint could be used in a such a way that would benefit a classroom. It's a great way to mix things up. I know I have thoroughly enjoyed these types of presentations when pictures, poems, etc are present. When there's more to the presentation than horrid bullet points. This is a great way to present a research paper. It could be titled "my PowerPoint research paper" where so many slides are required, so many pictures are required, etc.

When students submit their work it would be done through PowerPoint rather than typed out and submitted. This would be a great tool because after the students finish their "research" and creating of the PowerPoint, they could combine the two and do an awesome presentation. This is how I, as a teacher, would really be able to determine how thorough they were in their research - through their presentation. I'm excited about the idea!!

I think this will be a fun assignment. I think it will be beneficial for us to really get a good feel for the PowerPoint program.