I’m presenting to a 5th grade class this Friday on using PowerPoint as a presentation tool, most of whom will have never used PowerPoint. I’m going to start with a discussion of what a bad PowerPoint presentation looks like, using the model I’ve created below (which I have in video format). Later on in the year I’ll be presenting on a variety of different presentation tools. We are just starting with PowerPoint because it is on each of the computers in our mobile lab.
The next step, I’m going to give the students a few pointers, via laminated diagrams, on how to do a few basic things in PowerPoint. After that, the students will be given a PowerPoint scavenger hunt, basically a "Figure out how to make this slide" series of activities.
I see two flaws with this lesson plan so far so I have a couple of questions.
What can I do to extend this for students who finish early? How can I build more inquiry into this lesson?
Steve Johnson says:
I like Powerpoint and I’ve always liked showing it to kids. What I always do is pretty straightforward. I show them a few basics like how to add new slides, format slides, where the design piece is. Then I let them play. Then I show them something else that is cool (adding animations), then let them play. Rinse and repeat. The key is in the walking around and watching them play and discover stuff. If someone discovers something cool, ask them if they’d like to show the class. At the next break, have the kids lead the way and show what they’ve found. Keep doing that each time and not only will they be totally into it, but you’ll learn some things as well- it really is cool to see what they stumble upon.
I think you’ll find that you don’t need to actually show them too much. Just snippets- animations, transitions, new slides, backgrounds, etc., then let them run with it. The first time through I never connect it to content- they can make a presentation about whatever in the world they want the first time. I’ve done the whole “get all your content in first, then customize” thing, and I think that’s appropriate- but only after they’ve had a chance to play and explore the program.
As for whoever finishes early or is already a wiz at it- I always leave some customization tricks up my sleeve like motion paths in animation, adding audio/video, changing the designs with custom colors, etc. That usually sparks them again and will allow them some room to grow.
That’s just what I do. I like your idea of “how to make this slide”. Might be fun to have them work in pairs and see who can make it the fastest. Or maybe have kids create a slide, then the rest of the class has 5 minutes to reproduce it. I could see that being really fast paced and fun.
Anyway, I’m off to bed. Have fun!
November 17, 2010 — 12:07 am
Larry Fliegelman says:
Oh, you saw my last presentation? 😉
I spent some time with fifth graders teaching some basic presentation skills. For example I showed them to stand facing the audience. Use the presenters tools instead of turning to the screen. Write a script to speak and put only a little of those words on the slide n
The actual presentations were so much better than the previous year when I had not focused on presentation skills.
Have fun.
November 18, 2010 — 4:42 pm
Richard Kassissieh says:
A possible exercise:
1. Write in a word processor the outline for your presentation.
2. Strategize what visual aids would best support your presentation.
3. Create a set of slides based on your strategy, using only images (photos and charts, no words)
While using no words may not reflect most real-world use of presentation software, it builds the habit of composing more visually-oriented slides.
November 21, 2010 — 8:43 pm