The Wonders of PowerPoint

One great thing about PowerPoint presentations is that they can be used in every subject and in many different contexts, from math to science, to English to Social Studies.  Teachers may lead and organize lessons with their students, and students may use them to practice speaking, researching, and reinforcing new concepts.  Additionally, its various uses appeal to multiple intelligences and can help scaffold information in an engaging way. 

            In many ways I think PowerPoint is overworked.  Instructors insert their entire lecture into slides rather than drawing out important bullet points to discuss (I'm completely guilty of that one), leaving students frantically scribbling notes and probably ignoring what the teacher is saying.  For older students, reading off of a slide is not only boring, but it may be seen as demeaning (if they know how to read).  Animations may become distracting, or color combinations make slides illegible.  Understanding how to properly use PowerPoint could not only allow for effective communication of ideas, but also enhance learning for all students.

            Overall, I think that these presentations are great.  In creating a presentation, students are able to research a topic independently or in groups, determine the most important points to put on the slides, include images, and demonstrate this knowledge to the class.  Students are encouraged to add their own individuality to this project—they can choose the colors, pictures, font, and information, making the presentation unique to them.  By presenting to the class, their knowledge will be deepened—they will become the “professionals” of their topic, informing their classmates.

            Furthermore, working with PowerPoint presentations is comforting due to its ease of use and range of applications.  I have been using this program for many years, and I consider it to be my “go-to” for oral presentations.  Still, I am excited that there are always new things to learn about it.  Being a person who usually begins with a blank page and builds from there, I discovered that templates can solve my problems of matching fonts, sizes, and placements.  Hyperlinks help me connect to other sources outside of the presentation.  Adhering to the 5-5 rule (no more than five lines per slide, no more than five words per line), would promote better public speaking skills among students and professionals alike.
            Just for fun, I looked online for the "Best PowerPoint Presentation" and I was thrilled to see the presentations that won competitions.  Smoke was the 2010 winner that demonstrates a sophisticated continuity between fonts, colors, and images to create an engaging and meaningful presentation.  Overall, the message in your presentation should inspire creativity and provide an outlet to get your meaning across.  Looking at award-winning presentations is worth it--I am impressed by how well made they are, and how the creator has effectively shared their message.

            For English language learners, allowing them to experiment with PowerPoint gives them skills with using popular technology in an important way.  The limited amount of content on each slide prevents students from becoming overwhelmed with intense amounts of new language.  Adding images and charts helps students use context clues to fill in the pieces that are missing due to a language barrier.  Bright colors and animations also help to engage students and keep them focused and excited about the lesson.  Students would engage in high-order thinking by designing and organizing their presentations, and then would be able to practice the content before presenting it to others.  Engaging students with PowerPoint technology is exceeding beneficial—whether by leading lessons or encouraging them to create their own.