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I am fairly proficient at using PowerPoint, and I have learned the hard way that more is usually just more. Keep things simple, and there is actually a "formula", as it was, that I learned on my Advanced Instructional Techniques course: 6 x 6. That's a maximum of 6 lines of 6 words per slide, so that it can be read easily, and it doesn't overwhelm. Of course that makes it difficult for the instructor (or whomever is creating the PPT lesson), as you can't simply "copy and paste" from the lesson plan or reference.
Another thing is to limit the background graphics, especially if it is a crappy, pixelated mess.
Also, something I take the time (when possible) to do, is to create a handout package that simply isn't a page 1-63 of EVERY slide in the package (removing nausea such as stage number 3, QTC/QFC slides, etc). It saves a lot of paper, and toner (greyscale, handout, 3 slides per page works).
I am involved in the DL (Distributed Learning) work at the Armour School (and which the rest of the CTC is doing as well), whereby we are taking the courses and putting them into a "page-turner" format, that uses Macromedia Flash and Flashplayer. At the moment they are fairly plain jane, but you can put in some pretty cool animations, vid clips (bandwidth issues prevent 410MB full-screen clips, of course). I have seen some pretty wicked Flash animations for map and compass, adjusting arty fire, MPI for small arms, etc. They have civvies working on the hard technical stuff (graphics, programming, etc), with Army guys telling them what we want.They will be stored (eventually) on the Documentum server, and will be available to everybody, with a view to having students do a good chunk of their theory classes while they are at work at their home unit, rather than coming all the way to Gagetown to sit through 5-10 days of death by PowerPoint. There is also talk of conducting classes over the 'net, like civilian universities do, with an instructor providing real time help to people all over Canada (and overseas, in neccesary). Yes, Virginia, the CF is finally getting pulled into the 21st century, kicking and screaming!!! Of course, this doesn't at all replace coming here to enjoy the experience that is Gagtown, but it will reduce the amount of time that people are away from their families, which has been a major complaint with guys who have spent their fair share of time overseas or in the field.
Anyway, again as it has been mentioned, PowerPoint (as well as all other trg aids) is just a tool in your tool belt. It doesn't make one a better teacher, but it can assist one in getting the info across to the students.
Al
Another thing is to limit the background graphics, especially if it is a crappy, pixelated mess.
Also, something I take the time (when possible) to do, is to create a handout package that simply isn't a page 1-63 of EVERY slide in the package (removing nausea such as stage number 3, QTC/QFC slides, etc). It saves a lot of paper, and toner (greyscale, handout, 3 slides per page works).
I am involved in the DL (Distributed Learning) work at the Armour School (and which the rest of the CTC is doing as well), whereby we are taking the courses and putting them into a "page-turner" format, that uses Macromedia Flash and Flashplayer. At the moment they are fairly plain jane, but you can put in some pretty cool animations, vid clips (bandwidth issues prevent 410MB full-screen clips, of course). I have seen some pretty wicked Flash animations for map and compass, adjusting arty fire, MPI for small arms, etc. They have civvies working on the hard technical stuff (graphics, programming, etc), with Army guys telling them what we want.They will be stored (eventually) on the Documentum server, and will be available to everybody, with a view to having students do a good chunk of their theory classes while they are at work at their home unit, rather than coming all the way to Gagetown to sit through 5-10 days of death by PowerPoint. There is also talk of conducting classes over the 'net, like civilian universities do, with an instructor providing real time help to people all over Canada (and overseas, in neccesary). Yes, Virginia, the CF is finally getting pulled into the 21st century, kicking and screaming!!! Of course, this doesn't at all replace coming here to enjoy the experience that is Gagtown, but it will reduce the amount of time that people are away from their families, which has been a major complaint with guys who have spent their fair share of time overseas or in the field.
Anyway, again as it has been mentioned, PowerPoint (as well as all other trg aids) is just a tool in your tool belt. It doesn't make one a better teacher, but it can assist one in getting the info across to the students.
Al
