POWERPOINTS

PowerPoint is a presentation program developed by Microsoft. Using this LM and students can create anything from basic slide show to complex presentations (TechTerms.com, 2005-2009). PowerPoints are a wonderful tool for learning in both a student- and teacher-directed situation. LM can add a new dimension to learning by explain abstract concepts via a PowerPoint and while accommodation all learning styles (CQUniversity, 2009; Teachnology, Inc, 1998-2009). LM can also recycled presentations, modifying them and use them over and over again, each time you teach those lessons. Teachnology, Inc (1998-2009) states “PowerPoint can be one of the most powerful tools for disseminating information ever known.” I am not on prac at the moment. therefore I can not build a new presentation for one of my classes. However I recently did two group presentations for this course, Bachelor of Learning Manager and the challenges and achievements involved was when I tried to add a Voki and could not; however, after reading the fora I worked out that I can hyperlink by following these simple steps:

1. Select text to hyperlink
2. Insert menu
3. Hyperlink
4. Type in URL
5. Click OK (Alred, 2009).

The achievements were that I learned how to add links into a PowerPoint presentation, YouTube, and a comic creator. Another achievement was a fellow group member showed me how to copy and paste pictures correctly as my images were not working properly as they were blurry. All I needed to do was open the picture up fully then copy and paste. Also during this presentation I learn how to add animations. Researchers Richard Felder and Barbara Soloman (n.d.) classify learning styles into four categories active and reflective learners; sensing and intuitive learners; visual and verbal learners; and sequential and global learner. PowerPoint can apply Felder and Soloman’s four categories to cater for student individual differences by means of:

• Active and reflective learners – for active learners doing what the presentation is teaching while it is going or after the presentation is finish. For reflective learners allowing students time to think about new information by stopping periodically or allowing the presentation to be review casually by the students in their own time.
• Sensing and intuitive learners – for sensors learners connecting the presentation to the real world and offering facts and problem-solving activity at during or at end of presentation. Intuitive learners by minimising repetition, memorisation and routine calculations during presentation.
• Visual and verbal learners – this is a finest tool to implement as they learn best by seeing. For more visual enhancement LM can add pictures, pictures, diagrams, charts, films, or any other visual representation to help support the course material being taught. Verbal learners by allowing open discussion during and at the end of the presentation.
• Sequential and global learner – sequential learning by offering the information in linear steps where each step follows logically from the previous one. Global learners giving students the big picture of what is going to taught and relating to what the students may already know (Felder & Solman, n.d; JCU, 2008).

Listed below are several ways LM can accommodate PowerPoint presentation into their teaching for parents and students:

• Flash cards – topics may include: reinforcing math concepts; practicing parts of speech; practicing spelling; reinforcing story problems; and reinforcing numbers, letters, or colours.
• Field trip slide show - Develop field trip slide shows to review and apply knowledge learned on a field trip. Students can work together to make a slide show that presents what they saw, as well as what they learned. Another option LM can create a field trip slide show for parents to see what happened.
• Autobiographical stories – students can create short autobiographical stories abut themselves.
• Interactive book reports - LM can have students create a PowerPoint presentation about books they read.
• Music class recitals – music LM during a recital can take pictures of the students while they are performing and record a small portion of their music on slides and LM can include student's picture and music.
• Group presentation slide shows.
• Poetry readings – Students can create slides displaying their personal poetry along with a voice recording.
• Specific subject presentation for example a presentation on fractions, gravity etc.
• Student portfolios.
• Class yearbook- presentation Collect photos; information about special events; examples of class and student projects, etc. throughout the year and create a year-in-review presentation (Tuscaloosa City Schools, 2002).