How do you use technology to engage your students? Have you ever considered using PowerPoint? I’ve noticed an increasing number of educators integrating PowerPoints in their instructional delivery. For example, I observed a fourth-grade teacher using PowerPoint to highlight excerpts from a novel to teach a close reading lesson. The teacher skillfully scaffolded the lesson as she underlined key vocabulary and ideas during her think aloud. The students were mesmerized. PowerPoint has many additional benefits including the option to include relevant educational links, provide visual images and sounds to address the needs of the visual and auditory learners, it’s cost effective because you don’t need copies for every student, as well as the automatic timing function to transition slides is helpful to maintain adequate pacing of the lesson. A few tips when creating PowerPoints for the classroom include adding a short video to engage students, include a summary slide to reiterate the main point or learning objective, make it fun, and practice your presentation (https://education.cu-portland.edu).
“Synchronous learning is a general term used to describe forms of education, instruction, and learning that occur at the same time, but not in the same place” (Synchronous learning, 2013). Examples of synchronous learning includes virtual courses, webinars, and other online learning platforms. Benefits of synchronous learning include individualized instruction for learners which allows them to learn at their own pace, more time for teacher led small group instruction, and opportunities for schools and districts to find qualified teachers for hard to fill positions such as mathematics and science.
Considering synchronous learning for your classroom? There are some promising synchronous learning alternatives educators might consider. Skype can connect students to the world by providing opportunities for virtual field trips and live connections to other classrooms.
Skype creates opportunities for students to gain first-hand knowledge about important topics and apply their critical thinking and inquiry skills. Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) exposes learners to free courses that can be integrated in the classroom for blended learning, flipped classrooms or e-project based learning.
Engaging students in learning with technology has never been more accessible and cost effective. Software apps and programs like PowerPoint, Skype, Moodle, and blended learning make the possibilities for engaging all learners limitless.
References
Synchronous Learning. (2013). In The Glossary of Education Reform by Great Schools Partnership. Retrieved from https://www.edglossary.org/synchronous-learning/
The Room 241 Team (2013, February 11). Teachers: 5 tips for creating great PowerPoint presentations [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/teachers-5-tips-for-creating-great-power-point-presentations/
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