Visual Images

To me, the whole point of the classroom computer revolution is to get AWAY from text as the sole means of conveying information. Given that the brain we all have is principally visual, pictures and images should be a major part of any presentation. This is not to suggest that there is no use for text, but that pictures can convey relationships, provoke interest, and define a subject in ways that words alone cannot do. It is one thing to talk about orbits and axial tilt as a way to explain both seasons and phases of the moon. Limited to words, I can easily imagine that students will not understand the corkscrew motion of the moon (which is why we don't have eclipses every 14 days..) and how it relates to the phases, or how the tilt causes the variations in seasons.

To be honest, I appreciated the comments about the use of pictures needs to be sensitive to various cultures. I had not considered that in previous PowerPoint presentations. After the lecture, I'm not sure how I'll carry that out in the future. How do I show soccer if I have to worry about the position of feet? Somewhere in this, there has to be a common sense answer. But right at the moment I can't figure it out. The only thing I can think of is to show any presentation to other teachers, or talk to them about the cultures in the schools and what is known about cultural sensitivities. I could also discuss it with parents of my students.

The presentation part of computers interests me very much and I was debating looking at all the current means and see if there are any future means of getting materials off the monitor and up someplace where the whole class can see it. In the age of school budget constraints, I wonder if there ARE any reasonable cost alternatives in existence, and what is coming down the pipe line that may be cost effective or helpful.

Another key point brought up tonight is the that of layout. I'm curious how one develops one's sense of that. I know how to put flowers in a vase. That does NOT make me someone that can be considered a flower arranger. I'm sure that practice will have an impact in the sense of comments by students, teachers and family. Looking at other peoples presentations will also spark ideas. So far I find that I am competent in my use of PowerPoint, but I don't feel that I am particularly good at it. I'm not even sure that I would consider myself a gifted amateur.