Presentations

PowerPoint has been synonymous with with presentation software, similar to Kleenex for facial tissue. The reason I use the term Presentations is to get the point across that are other options. Many students who have computers do not spend the extra $200 - $300 for Microsoft's Office Suite software. There are free alternatives and I will share two.

1. Open Office - OpenOffice.org is a free, open-source software suite, which means the programing codes are open for any developer to improve the software. You or students can install it for free and it has software equal to MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, and MS Access. The equivalent to PowerPoint is called Impress. Click on the image to see a larger view of the layout.

When using this software, choose the SAVE AS option when saving and select PPT file so that it can be opened with PowerPoint at school.

2. GoogleDocs - Even easier that Open Office is GoogleDocs. There is more information on the Google page on this site, but I will just say that this software is available online and does not need to be downloaded, plus it is available from any computer with an internet connection. No more USB drives or CDs to open, or wrong formats to worry about.

How do I use presentations in my class?

First, lets look at what not to do. This is a TeacherTube video putting it in perspective (you may have to access this from home)

You can also read this article. The point is por corrupts. PowerPoint corrupts absolutely. Presentation software shoud:

1. not be a substitute for presenting, rather a supplement.
2. not be an on-screen version of your notes
3. present visuals you otherwise would not be able to easily display.
4. be easy to follow without distracting from the presenter.
5. enhance the message being presented

Teachers

1. Enhance lectures by showing images visuals, posting discussion questions, directions for activities, or visual summaries. Check out PowerPoint Palooza or Slideshare.net to browse and share presentations with others.

2. Create interactive games for review, like Jeopardy. Here is a website that will give you game templates you can edit to customize your game.

The following is an example of a presentation used to show students how to write a thesis statement that I will use for AP World History students. (Note: when using SlideShare to embed presentations, interactive links are lost, so you will not be able to click on links on this one).

Students

1. Encourage students to enhance any presentation with slides.

2. ABC Reviews - Have students create a slide for each letter in the alphabet, where each letter represents a concept, term or idea being reviewed. Each slide should give brief information and a visual.

Tutorials

1. PowerPoint Tutorial - http://www.actden.com/pp/

2. Another PowerPoint tutorial: http://www.bcschools.net/staff/PowerPointHelp.htm