Semana Santa
As a tool, I usually make use of PowerPoint presentations to enhance the effectiveness of classroom instruction, specially to introduce culture and make it more approachable. A very common cultural festivity I project in the classroom when time comes up is La Semana Santa in Spain. If interested, have a look at this slideshow.
Although it has been noticed that the PowerPoint is becoming a preferred method of communicating and explaining in our classrooms, there is still an enormous debate on this issue. Pros? Cons? For me, there are more pros than cons, regardless of those commentaries, such as "PowerPoint serves largely the same role in the classroom as pre-processed snack food does in the lunchroom: a conveniently packaged morsel that looks good but doesn't match the intellectual or corporeal nourishment of, say, a critical essay or a plate of steamed spinach" (Joanna Glasner).
I believe that important points can be emphasized and the presentation itself can be enhanced by using graphics, animation, or sound. Thus student interest can be stimulated as well. By a proper use of PowerPoints, lessons tend to be more organized and flexible. If interested in further readings, I have found a related article (i.e., "PowerPoint, habits of mind, and classroom culture") which might be of your interest as well.
3 comments:
I like your quote that PowerPoint can be like pre-processed foods: no good. It makes me think that we as teachers need to make sure that if we use PowerPoint as an instructional tool that it will actually help the students learn. We need to make sure that the presentation is engaging and interactive if possible. I agree with you that changing up with font style is a good way to do this.
I really liked the quote too! I think powerpoint presentations can become stale when they are read from and always have the same formatting. However, I do agree with you that powerpoints have more pros than cons. So, we as teachers just have to remember to change things up and prevent the tool from becoming monotonous and disengaging to sudents.
i really liked your ppt on Semana Santa! i've heard so much about it and would love to go! good ideas about ppt in the classroom. we all seem to be on the same page with that one.
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