It's been a while since I last posted! The past couple weeks have been a nice break, but I am really looking forward to this new class. Right away, I can tell that I will be enjoying this class. One of the activities we have to do on a daily basis is take a picture a day for 28 days. It's been fun to think of what pictures to share and it's a good feeling to show others some of the important people, places, and things in my life. I'm very curious to see what we will be doing with the pictures at the end of the 28 days.
During this week, we also have been investigating the proper way of making presentations. I have to say, I've really enjoyed this aspect of class because it is something I preach to people quite often. Whether it is my students or co-workers, I like to help people make presentations that are interesting and not overly heavy on text. I've always said, cut to the point. You do not need every little fact of information on your slides. This bores people and ends up conveying none of the information you wanted to share in the first place. I think everyone should study how to properly do presentations since so many people do this for work and school.
Finally, we have also been watching digital stories. I have done this once in the past, but I am curious to learn new ways of making digital stories as well as ways to add different music. If done right, these stories can tell so much, even if they are only a few minutes long. I am looking forward to making these in an easy way, and possibly making one for each trip I take with my family.
The digital stories seem to be a possible way to engage students. I know one of the stories that I listened to brought the racism and bigotry of the 1950's home to me. I have read first hand accounts before, but hearing it made it that much more powerful. What ways do you think that you would be able to use digital storytelling to help with the students you service?
ReplyDeleteThe effective use of slideware, such as Power Point, can essentially make it or break it for the presenter. I've had my share of good presentations, and my share of bombs over the years. As I read Presentation Zen and watched some examples of effective presentations, I have found that there is much I can do to improve what I've been doing. With your experience in presentations, have you come across anything in this course so far that has surprised you? Is there something new you've learned that you are excited to implement into future presentations to see how they work for you?
ReplyDeleteI too try to make presentations that I think my students might find interesting. I admit I almost always use PowerPoint, but I add graphics, colors, sometimes music and also try not to be too heavy on the text. I also agree that every little fact should not be in your presentations. I often present concepts or larger ideas and the students have to fill in the pertinent information. In-class presentations should be lesson enhancers, not THE lesson.
ReplyDeleteAmy makes a great comment as does Sue - and Mike asks a great question. How to take this and be a more engaged presenter.
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