Students have changed: research now tells us that they listen to music on their iPods 5 hours per week. They play video games 3.5 hours a week on their consoles, PCs, tablets, portable game devices, cell phones, etc. They watch the TV 16.5 hours per week. They only read 2 hours a week. They use computers and the Internet 5.5 hours per week, and they are generally as proficient or even more so than adults! They can’t stop using their phones for texting, calling, emailing, blogging, chatting, messaging, browsing the web, looking up information, sharing... you name it!
However... most teachers are still using only old-fashioned traditional methods, like chalk and board, or marker and board. (Did you know that chalk actually causes lounge diseases.) To close the gap, and to try to meet students in their learning environment, instead of chalk and board, you can use presentation software, including multimedia and interactivity.
Advantages for students:
However... most teachers are still using only old-fashioned traditional methods, like chalk and board, or marker and board. (Did you know that chalk actually causes lounge diseases.) To close the gap, and to try to meet students in their learning environment, instead of chalk and board, you can use presentation software, including multimedia and interactivity.
Advantages for students:
- This is an attractive format that addresses the students’ different learning styles (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic) because different multimedia methods, such as sounds, images, color, action, design, etc. can be used.
- Also, presentation software helps with collaborative learning in group projects because it involves all students in the teaching and learning processes. It empowers learners to take control of their own learning, and allows them to demonstrate their work and progress.
- Students who miss classes can review the material by watching the presentations, which enables them to catch up at home and not fall behind. Audio and motion can help them to grasp the important points in a class.
- Presentation software can embellish the information in a lesson, and make presentations more organized and flexible.
- The important points can be emphasized using graphics, animation and sound.
- Presentation software can be used for reviewing the content.
- The biggest advantage of using presentation software in the classroom is that teachers can adapt their lessons and re-use them indefinitely. Therefore, teachers save time because they don’t have to hand out materials, write on the board, repeat things (instructions or explanations), and so on.
