Powerpoint
Powerpoint is the most heavily used presentation applications in education. Its versatility and practical uses, this learning tool is a favorite among educators and students alike. Text, images, animations, videos and recordings can all be integrated into a dynamic presentation to be shown to others. It transforms textual information into an engaging multimedia experience.
Powerpoint has many practical uses in the curriculum. The saavy teacher can create their content lessons and assignments on Powerpoint, present it to their students during class as part of their instruction, and also post it online on their class websites for their students to be able to access it online and study at home. Students are able to create reports, documentaries, journals, science fair projects, storybooks, photo albums, student portfolios and posters, to name a few. Content lessons, vocabulary building excercises, study guides, and learning guides designed as concept reviews for exams can also be created on Powerpoint. These presentations can also be converted, with a click of a button, into PDF format to create an eBook.
eLesson. The eLesson can consist of a Powerpoint presentation, an eBook, a word document, or a video on a topic or standard students need more information about. The eLesson can be posted on a website for the student to download, or sent to the student by email.
eDictionary (flashcards) The eDictionary is a collection of flashcards for key vocabulary words made created in Powerpoint. Each slide in the Powerpoint represents a keyword, the definition, an image/picture, & a recording of the word and the definition.
Study Guides. Study Guides on a unit of study can be created to review concepts and skills related to the standards for a unit of study. Slides may include kewords, their definitions, explanations of skills, problem solving strategies, images, diagrams, charts, recordings, and practice questions in preparation for the exam. Teachers can use the study guide to create a comprehensive review for the CST exam in any given subject area. This is an effective way for students to brush up their knowledge and skills in preparation for this exam in class or at home.
Learning games such as Jeopardy, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Hollywood Squares, and Treasure Hunts can be created on Powerpoint as a fun, in-class alternative for concept reviews before an exam.
Storybooks can be created with each slide representing a page in the storybook. Students can demonstrate their knowledge of the literature and writing standards by developing a narrative with text and images. Their finished written work can be converted into an eBook, and posted in a website gallery for anyone to see.
Thematic Interactive Projects can be created in a Powerpoint instead of the traditional report, book report, autobiography, or science fair project. Students are able to research online, write about their topic, add images, charts, or diagrams, add video clips, and voice recordings. Student projects demonstrate how much he or she has learned. Teachers are able to easily use thematic interactive projects as an assessment tool to replace the final exam. This is an effective assignment for students to work on at the end of the academic year after State testing has occurred and before Summer break.
Journals can be created in Powerpoint for students to be able to respond to questions posed by the teacher. Questions can be based on the content being learned, elicit opinions about controversial topics, current events, or can be thought provoking to stimulate critical thinking and to practice problem solving skills.
Student Portfolios are a great alternative to a physical portfolio in that student work samples can be saved in a digital format, posted on a website saved on a thumbdrive, or sent via email. Much like a photographer or an artist, students can save exemplary work showing their knowledge, skill, and expertise for schools to which they are applying and the workplace for potential employment.
