Classroom Technology

Prior to college technology wasn’t integrated much in my education. If technology was used it was more of a side thing like using a computer to type a report or searching the internet for information. Even when I started at community college my first few teachers still used overhead projectors or wrote notes on the boards. Eventually I took a communications class in my second semester at community college where the teacher used PowerPoint presentations to do her lecture. She was one of those great examples of how to use PowerPoint to accent your lecture not run it. She never overwhelmed slides. She limited her slides to an outline rather than word for word what she was covering.

Her use of PowerPoint made lectures and note taking less stressful. I always felt like I was on top of what we learning because she gave us an outline of the important parts. All we had to do was take notes on the specific information. If I missed something in class I wasn’t as worried because I would simply refer back to my slides and the outlines would usually remind me of what we covered. I also felt like me and the other classmates were more engaged and open to discussions. We weren’t frantically trying to write everything down so we were more interactive with the teacher and each other. I also felt like we all weren’t worn out after class! Sometimes taking notes from a board or based on what someone says can be exhausting!

Later in the semester she gave us an assignment where we had to give a speech and use PowerPoint to enhance our speech. This was pretty intimidating because I had never put together a PowerPoint presentation. I soon realized that it was a fun way to spice up your presentation. I ended up doing really well on that presentation and became more comfortable with the enhancements that PowerPoint can bring.
The teacher did a great job in using the PowerPoint presentations to add to her lectures. She also helped to increase our learning and enjoyment of the class because note taking became less stressful. We also learned the basics of PowerPoint so we could take that with us to our future classes. It really helped that she tied in the PowerPoint notes with the topic of communication and how it can be a tool to do just that. Applied lessons such as this, I feel, are always more enjoyable for students and a key to longer retention of skills. - John Wagner