In his article addressing the use of Power Point, Jamie McKenzie uses the phrase "PowerPointlessness" to describe the use of PowerPoint as a goal unto itself. The goal of creating an effective, well communicated message is usurped by the task of making a PowerPoint presentation. So in the end all students end up doing is figuring out how to put a bunch of weird clip art pictures on a slide. McKenzie points out that often, when students are asked to create a presentation using PowerPoint, they focus primarily on the lay-out and aesthetics of each slide, as opposed to the content and messages therein. Effort and concentration go toward making slides with clip art and other visuals, instead of effectively portraying the necessary information. McKenzie also notes that this is not necessarily a problem soley in the classroom. PowerPoint presentations should be a tool to aid in the effective communication of information, however, at times they can be used as a crutch instead (for example, the presenter just stands up there and reads each slide to the audience).
To help remedy this increase in "PowerPointlessness" McKenzie suggests providing grading rubrics for students so that they know and understand how they will be graded. Also McKenzie strongly recommends showing students examples of work, including examples of high quality and low quality work. I find that this is key in helping students understand what kind of work they are to produce. Usually if I ask students to complete an assignment, and their work does not turn out the way I had invisioned, it is because I did not model for them or I did not show them examples of work. Also McKenzie also emphasizes teaching students how to present information thoroughly (ie: including both sides of an argument). The PowerPoint should not be the main focus of the presentation, the key concepts that the student is presenting should be. In light of this students need to be taught public speaking skills. The power of the presentation is directly connected to the way in which it is presented. Good public speaking skills aids in good use of PowerPoint presentations.
website: http://www.fno.org/sept00/powerpoints.html
Confessions of a Technophile: I often obsess over the use of technology. I love it so much that I easily fail to put as much time into the content and lesson design as I should. Another pitfall is putting a lot of time into researching what tool I should use. Should I use PowerPoint? How about something more like an interactive whiteboard? Which technology will allow for the easiest posting to the Web after I'm done? And it never stops. Each year brings new technology. What was great last year is now average. But what I'm learning is that I need to channel that same pursuit of perfection of presentation into my pursuit of well-conceived lesson content and delivery. As McKenzie said, the former is nothing without the latter.
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