PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a presentational form of teaching (Laurillard, 2002), and has been around since 1984 (Gaskin, 1984). Even though it has been around longer than some others it is still an excellent e-learning tool.

PowerPoint combines pictures, diagrams, music, video, words, sounds and images, just to name a few. As mentioned above Laurillard says that PowerPoint is a presentational form of teaching, so when using it, it is important that together with the presentation the teacher needs to continually explaining and reiterating what is shown on each slide. This will help to engage the students by having what they are seeing on the screen being linked to what the teacher has to say and in this way PowerPoint is being used as a learning support (Oliver, 1999).

I found the following website when looking at the fundamentals of PowerPoint and it is definitely worth a look for beginners to figure out how to use PowerPoint. http://www.actden.com/pp/.

Reference List

Gaskin, R. (1984). Sample Product Proposal: Presentation Graphics for Overhead Projection. Retrieved August 4, 2009 from http://www.gbuwizards.com/files/gaskins-original-powerpoint-proposal-14-aug-1984.pdf

Laurillard, D. (2002). Design tools for e-learning. Retrieved August 4, 2009 from http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/auckland02/proceedings/papers/key_laurillard.pdf

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm