Do you think that a “simple”
technology does make difference? When I teach in the class, I prefer providing
examples, elaboration as well as additional materials in lecture powerpoint to
support my illustration. This may be students’ learning practices - they always
directly copy “all the additional things” from the powerpoint slides in their
handout, rather listen, digest and jot notes. In view of this situation, some
students may need more time to write down the things or some may not listen so
well about what I am telling. This definitely affects the quality of learning
and the pace of teaching.
Then I try a mean to improve the
situation - encouraging students taking photo of the additional slides, if
necessary, after I finish what I have to teach. It is because near to all
students should have mobile phones with camera feature on hand. At the very beginning, it may be again the
students’ learning practices - most students still insist on jotting down by
hand rather using technology. To better let students alert that photo could be
taken after teaching, I have inserted a “camera” picture in those slides where
additional materials are provided, like below examples.
This can give a signal to students that
they have to listen to me firstly and time will be given for photo-taking
afterwards. The situation turns better
now. More and more students can pay attention on what I’m teaching rather than
jotting notes only. Yes, only a “simple” technology can also make difference.
You may agree that a good story telling
should need the help of good presentation skills. Then you have to watch the “Present Like Steve Jobs” in which we can learn about the secrets of Steve Jobs' presentation skills. Steve
Jobs is not only a technology giant, but also an excellent “salesman”.
I agree that it will be much time saving if we allow students taking photo on something important rather that copying them. However, it is not applicable in secondary school now, because cameras and mobile phones are still not allowed without permission due to security problem.
回覆刪除Hi Alvis - What a great story! An innovative use of technology to solve a pedagogical problem. Although Eric does have a good point that at the secondary level there are issues with mobile phones not being allowed in class.
回覆刪除In my practice, I have tried emphasizing to students beforehand that the presentation is available on Moodle, so they need not spend class time copying from the slides. But I like Alvis's idea as it allows students to show slide by slide that they are engaged with the material.
Avis, What an impresed story! With innovative use of technology, you can motivate students more attentive at mass lectures. That shows you have spent much time and paid great effort in preparing your teaching materials. Thanks for your sharing. You shows us a good example of being a professional teacher. Good job.
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