I have a pet peeve with the use of PowerPoint in the classroom. My goal is to put an end to “Death by PowerPoint.” So imagine my surprise when I opened my daily newspaper and saw the heading, “Is PowerPoint Making Us Stupid?”
Apparently PowerPoint has crept into the lives of military commanders and reached the level of near obsession. (I guess we should be thankful that we’re not the only group overusing this tool!) In April 2010, at a military conference in North Carolina, General James Mattis of the Marine Corps said, “PowerPoint makes us stupid.” Further, Brig-General H.R. McMaster followed up by likening PowerPoint to an internal threat. He said, “PowerPoint is dangerous because it can create the illusion of understanding and the illusion of control. Some problems in the world are not bullet-izable.”
Commanders say that behind all the PowerPoint jokes are serious concerns that the program stifles discussion, critical thinking, and thoughtful decision-making. Aren’t these the exact behaviors that we hope to achieve in the classroom?
As an answer to this problem, I’m dedicating this blog to all the PowerPoint users out there who feel this is the ONLY way to impart information. Guess what? It isn’t. Here are just some of Langevin’s favorite techniques to present information in an interactive and enjoyable way:
- Abbreviated Lecturette: Learners list everything they know about a topic and the instructor provides the missing content.
- Graphic Association: The instructor shows a picture or symbol to represent a key idea/topic and then explains its significance.
- Mock Interview: A volunteer participant “interviews” the instructor using a list of questions or a script provided by the instructor.
- Multiple Choice: The instructor delivers a segment of content, using a series of multiple choice questions. Learners guess the correct response.
- Search & Learn: Learners are given a series of questions and work in small groups to research content provided.
- Fill-in-the-Blanks: Learners fill in words or short phrases on a worksheet that summarizes the key ideas covered in the presentation.
- Cooperative: The instructor randomly distributes numbered topic cards to learners who are called upon to read them aloud.
- Examples/Exceptions: Learners, in small groups, are asked to create an example or analogy of the content presented or to identify exceptions.
Each of these techniques helps learners do the exact opposite of what the commanders attribute to the misuse of PowerPoint: they involve the learners, foster discussion, aid retention—plus they are fun ways to learn! And isn’t this what training is all about? (Want to learn more about these techniques? Check out our Advanced Instructional Techniques or 25 Creative Ways to Add Excitement to Your Training courses.)
Now it’s your turn. What techniques do you use to present your content? Can’t wait to hear your creative ideas!
Marsha
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The death of power point is why I became a facilitator.
I remember sitting in trainings that were focused on leadership, and team building. All we did was stare at a screen and fill in some lines in a workbook.
While sitting there I knew I had to take a stand and stop that.
Now some people feel ending power point means ending content based learning. NO!
Content base learning happened for many, many years prior to power point. People can still learn a great deal without power point.
Another objection I hear is that “Power point helps me pace and keep a time line of what I am speaking about.”
NO…keep some notes.
Please turn off the projector and turn on the lights.