This weeks ICT tools that were explored where technologies that can be used to
present and collate learning or content related information (Fasso, 2012) These tools include PowerPoint, Prezi and Glogster, it is believed that these tool provide an alternative way for educators to present and deliver information within the 21st century classroom. This blog will explore the advantages and disadvantages of these tools and possible recommendations of how they could be effectively utilized within the classroom.
Digital Tool One - Power Point:
PowerPoint is a Microsoft office tool that has been utilized for many years within the education setting. It is a tool in which you can embed images, audio, video and text. They are creative and allow teachers and students to build their own supporting visual aid. PowerPoint is simple to use and because of this it is one of the most widely used presentation software in the world (Fasso, 2012). it is believe that in the future PowerPoint will undergo modifications and will be upgraded, although it will maintain its simplicity. Below I have explore the advantages and disadvantages of these tools within a classroom.
Advantages:
- Creates interactive presentation allowing the inclusion of content information, Audio and Visual elements.
- It is easy to use and time efficient
- Allows creativity and individuality
- It is easily accessible - PowerPoint is pre-installed on most computers.
- This tool can manipulate images
- allows presentations to be interactive
- This tool can manipulate images
- allows presentations to be interactive
Disadvantages:
- Can often be text heavy and loose the interest of students quiet easily
- Any method of teaching gets stale when used exclusively and PowerPoint is no exception (Johnson, 2006, pg 4).
- It can become tedious and repetitive
- Could be difficult for students to view (ie. background is too bright, font to little)
- If to many animations (slide change effects) are included it could cause distractions.
- If the teachers are presenting a complicated topic the slide show may be long, therefore resulting in students off task.
There are numerous possibilities and uses for PowerPoint within my teaching contexts these have been explored below:
- Teachers: Teachers can use PowerPoint as a supporting visual aid, in history when discussing the Berlin wall they could embed images of the wall and then a video of it being destroyed. This provides the students with the Auditory style of learning and the visual style of learning.
- Students: Students could use PowerPoint for collaborative tasks such as assignments. They could use it much like a teacher does to present information. This tool also reduces the need for palm cards, and might lower the students nerves as they have something to refer to. (Jones, 2003)
- Any method of teaching gets stale when used exclusively and PowerPoint is no exception (Johnson, 2006, pg 4).
- It can become tedious and repetitive
- Could be difficult for students to view (ie. background is too bright, font to little)
- If to many animations (slide change effects) are included it could cause distractions.
- If the teachers are presenting a complicated topic the slide show may be long, therefore resulting in students off task.
There are numerous possibilities and uses for PowerPoint within my teaching contexts these have been explored below:
- Teachers: Teachers can use PowerPoint as a supporting visual aid, in history when discussing the Berlin wall they could embed images of the wall and then a video of it being destroyed. This provides the students with the Auditory style of learning and the visual style of learning.
- Students: Students could use PowerPoint for collaborative tasks such as assignments. They could use it much like a teacher does to present information. This tool also reduces the need for palm cards, and might lower the students nerves as they have something to refer to. (Jones, 2003)
Engagement Activity: Building a presentation for one of my classes.
My slideshow can be viewed via My Website. Feel free to have a look.
Reference:
Johnson, L. (2006). PowerPoint Pedagogy: PowerPoint and Effective Lesson Plans, retrieved from http://www.goodreadspot.com/7007%20artifacts/PowerPoint%20Pedagogy%20Paper.pdf
Jones, A. (2003). The use and abuse of PowerPoint in Teaching and Learning in the Life Sciences: A Personal Overview, retrieved from, http://www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/journal/vol2/beej-2-3.pdf
My slideshow can be viewed via My Website. Feel free to have a look.
Reference:
Johnson, L. (2006). PowerPoint Pedagogy: PowerPoint and Effective Lesson Plans, retrieved from http://www.goodreadspot.com/7007%20artifacts/PowerPoint%20Pedagogy%20Paper.pdf
Jones, A. (2003). The use and abuse of PowerPoint in Teaching and Learning in the Life Sciences: A Personal Overview, retrieved from, http://www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/journal/vol2/beej-2-3.pdf
Digital Tool Two - Prezi:
Prezi is an online presentation tool that allows the creator to zoom in an out on information within it. It is able to embed images, videos and PowerPoint slides. I have previously used Prezi in university subjects as a visual aid in presentation and I believe that it is a creative and alternative tool to use that will engage and entice students. Prezi is also very easy to use and is more entertaining and exciting, then other presentation tools.
Advantages:
- Provides the opportunity to zoom in on important information
- It is creative and time efficient
- Provides the opportunity to zoom in on important information
- It is creative and time efficient
- Free and easily accessible
- Can incorporate Images, text, video and PowerPoint slide shows.
-Encourages students to explore ( Hill, 2012)
- There can be multiple editors, meaning it can be edited and added to my students
Disadvantages:
- Although it may initially gain students attention, however if the zooming and flipping is overused it may become overwhelmed and cause students to avoid watching. (Hill, 2012)
- Although it is creative you are not able to change the font or the background color as you can with PowerPoint, therefore it lacks the colorful effect
The Possibilities of Prezi within teaching are very similar to that of the use of PowerPoint i have outlined some possibilities bellow:
- Although it may initially gain students attention, however if the zooming and flipping is overused it may become overwhelmed and cause students to avoid watching. (Hill, 2012)
- Although it is creative you are not able to change the font or the background color as you can with PowerPoint, therefore it lacks the colorful effect
The Possibilities of Prezi within teaching are very similar to that of the use of PowerPoint i have outlined some possibilities bellow:
- Teachers can use Prezi as a progressive tool throughout the term. For example if learning about Shakespeare Films the Prezi could slowly be created. The topic "Shakespeare" will be in the middle and the surrounding frames incorporating topic content related to films (Barrett, 2011).
- Prezi can be used for students to reflect on their learning experiences throughout the duration of a class. this allows them to revise and break down a topic and they will be able to refer to it for study and other assessment purposes. (Barrett, 2011)
- Prezi can be used for students to reflect on their learning experiences throughout the duration of a class. this allows them to revise and break down a topic and they will be able to refer to it for study and other assessment purposes. (Barrett, 2011)
- Engagement activity - Creating a Prezi
Reference:
Hill, P (2012). Thoughts on using Prezi as a teaching tool, Retrieved from http://prezi.com/rfsnedhqmhqa/thoughts-on-using-prezi-as-a-teaching-tool/Barrett T. (2011). 13 interesting ways to use Prezi in the classroom, retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/j3pr0x/13-interesting-ways-to-use-prezi-in-the-classroom
Glogster is an online scrapbooking tool that has recently started to be used as a presentation tool within classrooms. It is a creative tool which allows teachers and students to create a visual aid. When using this tool I found it very complex and informal. It was complicated and difficult to manipulate. The advantages and disadvantages have been explored below as well as possible teaching techniques that could be adopted for this tool.
Advantages
- Allows creativity and freedom of expression
- easily accessible
- Could enhance student involvement in tasks
- It is easy to manipulate
- Private, secure safe virtual classroom monitored by teachers (Fasso, 2012)
-Encourages teamwork
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- Private, secure safe virtual classroom monitored by teachers (Fasso, 2012)
-Encourages teamwork
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Disadvantages
- Can look informal
The possible teaching strategies have been explored below:
- Could be used as a brainstorming activity for students to post images relating to content
- Could be used in English to educate students about advertisement.they could use this tool to create their own add.
- Could be used to introduce students to a new topic
- Can look informal
- Can not incorporate supporting files as well as Prezi or PowerPoint
- Could encourage unhealthy competition among students
- Informal
The possible teaching strategies have been explored below:
- Could be used as a brainstorming activity for students to post images relating to content
- Could be used in English to educate students about advertisement.they could use this tool to create their own add.
- Could be used to introduce students to a new topic
- Engagement activity
Laura, I really like your glogster image. It looks really exciting. Could you see yourself using this in your classroom? As it fits in really well with the history context that you have chosen.
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