> Matthew Raney wrote
> > I've actually received a lot of positive feedback about powerpoint
> > overheads. I keep them very skeletal in nature, but the words are
> usually
> > more clear and with better contrast, which has been a boon to those
> seated
> > further back or with visual impairments. Also, if you work it right,
> you
> > can plug in some demos right into powerpoint (a short-term memory one
> > comes to mind, for example). I've actually never used a chalkboard to
> > date. Granted, this is only my
> > third year teaching, and I'm still in graduate student mode, but I
> prefer
> > to spend time talking and discussing rather than writing in class....
> >
> As someone who has observed MANY faculty using power point over the years,
> I
> have strong feelings on the matter. You're right that power point slides
> need to be kept "skeletal" lest the students are so obsessed copying them
> they neglect to listen. Also, I HATE IT when I can read a slide in 30
> seconds and then have to listen to the prof say the same thing for the
> next
> 10 minutes. Booooringgggg.
>
> One real advantage of writing on a board or overhead is that you are
> forced
> to pace yourself. Folks who use powerpoint or overheads (especially the
> overly detailed type) often don't give the students enough time to write
> down the material. I also urge faculty to go to the back of the room to
> see
> if the slides/overheads/powerpoint are large enough for folks to actually
> read. You wouldn't believe how many faculty use fonts so small that they
> can't be read or can be read only with great effort. And don't say that
> the
> student could always move closer if he/she can't see the board. Yes, they
> could. But no, they often won't.
>
> My last complaint about powerpoint, etc. is that faculty often become
> glued
> to the lectern/computer stand and lose what little animation they might
> exhibit. None of these problems is insurmountable but they need to be
> addressed.
>
> As for dry erase boards, I hate them. Give me a chalkboard. I agree with
> all the complaints: markers disappearing, drying out, using permanent
> markers by accident, etc. (I keep a small vial of methyl alcohol in my
> briefcase to deal with the latter problem!)
> Ed
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Edward I. Pollak, Ph.D., Department of Psychology,
> West Chester Univ. of PA, West Chester, PA 19383
> Office: 610-436-3151; Home: 610-363-1939; Fax: 610-436-2846
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Husband, father, grandfather, biopsychologist, herpetoculturist and
> bluegrass fiddler.... not necessarily in order of importance.
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Shameless self promotion: The Mill Creek Bluegrass Band performs every
> Tuesday night at Dugal's Inn, Mortonville, PA. Call 610- 486-0953 for
> directions.
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>
>
>
>
