The project teachers used Microsoft PowerPoint presentation
software as a teaching aid during the Literacy Hour. They created templates
for screens to use during the introduction and plenary sections. They
went on to create presentations for children to use in group work.
The project contains the templates and example group
work activities. The teachers also discuss effective presentation styles,
and evaluate the success of this approach.
After discussion with NGfL advisers and colleagues,
we decided to build a series of templates for learning objectives and
questions to be displayed quickly and efficiently at the start and end
of a Literacy lesson. We considered themed slides, but we would need
to spend much time in developing their format. However, an attractive
display in class can maintain concentration and stimulation. We needed
to reach a compromise of time against quality.
To use the slides, simply open them in PowerPoint
and click into the text boxes. Type in the learning objectives for that
day's lessons and select File then Save As. Type in a new name for the
slide and click Save.
These slides were used in conjunction with a large
display in the classroom at the start and end of the Literacy Hour.
Teachers would simply type in the learning objectives before the lesson
began.
The use of PowerPoint made the introductory sessions
more focused. Pupils were given a better understanding of what they
were learning, and why. This was noticeable throughout the whole lesson.
The language needed to be matched to the age of the target group,
especially when learning objectives had been copied and pasted directly
from planning documents!
In the plenary session, the children worked in
groups to record their thoughts on what they had learned in the lesson.
They used the templates to produce their own slides. The group would
then present it to the whole class. Discussion would follow and sometimes
the need for editing would result.
A cordless keyboard was used in conjunction with
data projector and a SmartBoard. This facilitated collaborative editing,
writing and appraisal. The equipment provided a greater feeling of
collaboration than usual, as the children could pass the keyboard
around to contribute to writing on the board. The class became more
proficient at this process. The need to allow slightly extra time
at the plenary diminished during the project, as it became routine.
We considered the impact PowerPoint could have on developing group
activities during the Literacy Hour. These presentations focus on
comprehension and parts of sentences.
The presentations may be viewed in the web browser,
but it is better to save and view them in PowerPoint. Download them
first by clicking with the right button, and selecting Save Target
As... Select a folder on your computer and click Save.
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Interactive
quiz
Children are quizzed on the meaning of adjectives, verbs and
nouns and are told whether their choices are correct or incorrect.
The presentation may be adapted to other
topics. Simply change the questions and answers on the slides,
remembering which choices lead to a right or wrong response.
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Interactive
comprehension
Children see a slide containing information about tigers. Then
they are asked questions about the text.
If the children answer incorrectly, they
are returned to the text with the relevant information highlighted
and asked to try again.
Again, this presentation could easily be
adapted by changing the text and questions.
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These presentations make use of action settings
to take the user to different slides, depending on whether an answer
is right or wrong. This 'How to...' sheet (Word 97) explains how it's
done:
How to create action
buttons in PowerPoint
There is no point in using ICT as a tool unless it provides a better
way of communicating information to the audience. We have found that
the children's concentration is maintained for longer periods than
that of an 'average' lesson.
Once the teacher is familiar with PowerPoint,
it can increase the efficiency of delivery of the learning points.
Resources such as word cards and banks may be shared between classes
and saved for the future. Previous slides from plenary sessions can
be used in worksheets for follow up session as reminders of key points,
or referred to the following day.
PowerPoint does not need to be used for every
lesson, as certain lessons do not lend themselves to this style of
teaching. A mixture of lesson delivery helps PowerPoint remain a novelty.
The design of the presentation is best kept simple
and not made too flashy. The focus can all too easily shift to the
style of the presentation, rather than what the presentation is attempting
to convey. Use of multimedia features can enhance the presentation,
but only if used to focus concentration.
We have found that PowerPoint is most effective
when viewed using a data projector, and even better with a SmartBoard.
Concentration is enhanced as everyone in the class has a better chance
of seeing. Interaction is enabled with the SmartBoard. The children
enjoy using the board, again focusing concentration.
PowerPoint is an ideal tool to enable repetition
in order to consolidate key facts. Teachers can target specific
learning objectives on pupils with difficulties. However there is
a trade off between specific content and the amount of time required
to produce the resource. PowerPoint is a useful tool when used at
the end of study to reinforce further learning.
