Here's a useful warning from the USA, where it seems that students complain if their lecturers don't use technology, and complain when they do, that they don't do it well. PowerPoint seems to be the least helpful. My constant plea is to put yourself in the shoes of the listener and think how your high-tech presentation will look and sound to the class. Anyhow, here are the points, as reported here.
In a recent survey of students at 13 colleges conducted by Educause, a higher-education technology group, students said they liked technology — when used well — but some gave their professors failing grades when it came to using PowerPoint, course-management systems, and some other kinds of classroom technology. Some specific complaints:
- Reading PowerPoint slides verbatim: Many professors cram slides with text and then recite the text during class, which some students say makes the delivery flatter than if the professor did not use slides.
- Wasting class time fumbling with software and cables: Professors who are uncomfortable with technology can spend too much time troubleshooting instead of teaching.
- Failing to moderate chat rooms: Some professors require students to make weekly contributions to online chat rooms, but then never monitor the results or mention the discussions in class, making the discussions seem like busywork.
SOURCE: Educause Center for Applied Research
Filed under: Practical teaching
