Application of Power Point in an Industrial Technology and Design (ITD) context, presents limited use by itself. However, designing a power point for access through a class web site has more possibilities.
With my limited exposure to power point, my opinion was that it is a tool to support a lecture, or class presentation only. Thus, if you have seen one with the exception of different formats: pictures, background etc , you have seen them all.
After the tutorial practice exercise, we were exposed to creating animations. This ability opened my eyes to new possibilities in ITD. Creating power points for viewing is one way of helping students; step by step instructions, with examples and non-examples, or asking students to create a power point discussing which materials are best for boat building for example.
Using the animation function can add another element of design to the presentation. Why just use visual static displays, when they can have access to create an animation of building the boat, complete with audio.
I also discovered how to make an interactive power point. This gave me an idea to create a self testing, or evaluating tool, which can summarise what has been learnt, or what is to be taught during graphics. For example; the Australian standards for dimension lengths: line thickness, line style, third angle and first angle symbols, thread types and the list goes on. By providing an interactive power point, students are provided with a learning tool which can be accessed or even saved, to be used anytime they wish. To connect with the students and create meaning can be delivered by using some humour. For example; when the correct answer is selected the next slide gives an audio cheer; if not selected, the next slide gives another audio with a hint to connect to prior knowledge.
Some ideas of these hints are;
Q1. What is the density of a construction line?
- Hint- physical construction sites are a bit of a mess during the construction, but only the tracks or footprints remain afterwards.
- Ans- light density line, only just visible, and are not erased.
Q2. Which is the preferred projection model: third angle or first angle?
- Hint- first angle projection was the first to be used. Is the first always best, and can you fold the paper to check?
- Ans- third angle projection; the side you see is the side you draw.
Q3. What are the spacings for hidden detail?
- Hint- hidden detail is a person hiding behind a tree.
- Ans-Draw 3mm miss 1mm. Three rhymes with tree; visible and drawn to connect at both intersecting lines. Miss 1mm spacing, because the one person is missing.
Aspiring to every classroom having a smart board, the entire class could use an interactive power point to have in-class competitions.
Picture sourced from http://www.flickr.com/photos/notionscapital/4073536505/sizes/m/in/photostream
Before doing this lecture I only saw powerpoint as a supporting aide as well but now I can see that it can be used for much more.
ReplyDeleteFor ITD it can also be used an introductory for junior scholl students on safety in the workshop and safety for certain tools. It allows the teacher to make a powerpoint that is to the point, has all of the information necessary and takes half the time to show the students. You can also give the students a copy of the powerpoint instaed of showing them a video once and expecting them to remember it.
The old videos that they show students are boring and half the time the students do not watch them anyway. By using powerpoint you could make something that is bright, colourful and that will catch the students attention as well as something that they will remember.
I thought the same about power point before the lesson. I think it was the way I personally experienced "Death by Powerpoint" in school (love the title by the way). I think this would be a great tool to use in every classroom. As for supporting lectures - it can, but we as learning managers should use it in a way that engages the students, rather than just using slide after side of notes. I'd rather be hit over the head with the books the notes came from than sit through another one of those lessons personally.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you've also gone that little bit further and noted about smartboards and linking them to interactive powerpoints and in-class competitions. I think that would be a lesson I'd like to see. =)
-Kyah