Blog Post #7

I think that one of the biggest advantages of using a program like powerpoint (or any kind of presentation software, really) is that students who take a long time to write things down have what was previously said on the slide that is behind the presenter. I also think that it helps keep a lesson on track because it is, in a certain way, an outline. However, I think there are several problems that come with this. One of them is that students often only pay attention to what is written on the screen, and not to what is being said, at least, I know I do that sometimes. I think, also, there is something that is absolutely wonderful about the spontaneity that takes place in class discussion and I am a very large supporter of education that maybe isn’t on the syllabus but does come form children’s curiosity. So, maybe having an outline isn’t THAT great of a thing. However, I think, at the same time, it would help keep a person like me a little more focused.

I am noticing that quite a few people have said that they felt like powerpoint wouldn’t be a good tool to use when teaching English. I actually did my assignment for this week on To Kill a Mocking Bird. I used it to present historical information, show pictures of the south in the 1930’s so viewers could get a better feeling for the setting of the novel, and show the due dates for reading and the paper. (This class doesn’t exist, but it does in my mind). I have had a few teachers use power point for things like this and I, personally, really enjoyed it. Actually, I had one teacher who taught a religion course who only used powerpoint to present pictures of maps. In this way, I feel like it can definitely be useful to English teachers. I think it also helps to put one major question up – mine was about why knowing history is important to literature – for the imaginary class to discuss. This way, no one needs the question repeated, and no one can say that they don’t know what’s being asked.

I think that I am still interested in the place of technology in the classroom. I, personally, am still not sure how much technology I would like to use in my classroom. I know that, on a certain level, the technological revolution is one that I should embrace for the sake of children, but I think that there is something really great about using a pencil and paper. I know, I write almost everything that way still because I think there is a certain amount of importance in the motion of writing and how it connects to your brain and it’s function as a catharsis. But, I don’t think that means computers are totally out. I think it’s something I’ll have to experiment with. But, I’m very curious to know what other people think about it.