Ah- the classic question about how much powerpoint (PPT) should a professor use to maximize learning-
I have seen many arguments about the using PPT to the max and others using no PPT at all and then some compromises-
So let’s go through the degree of PPT usage-
No PPT
I have seen older professors and some hipster professors talk about it. Older professors claim that if the professor is eloquent and interesting enough then no PPT is needed. Wow, this is real old school, like Socrates old school-
So let me go over why this is a bad idea. First most professors are good or decent researchers not necessarily good teachers. How much training did one get during his/her PhD? Not so much. Also, most professors are average teachers not great communicators. If they were great communicators, they would do a podcast or YouTube and may not teach. So very eloquent professors are very rare. And many think they are eloquent but they are really not. SO NO-
The hipster professor is a more recent phenomenon. They refuse to use PPT because it takes away from learning. Mmmm…may be? Anyway…the claim is that with no PPT, the professor can communicate better with the student and the student will be more engaged and things work out. Mmmm…may be if you have very motivated and smart students. I have seen students drift off after 15 minutes. Remember, they are the Twitter and SnapChat generation. Also, how are you going to teach complex formulas and theory without much aid. There was an infamous engineering professor who only spoke and barely wrote on the board- Yeah that didn’t go well- It took time to spell out the equation and the students got confused and it was a disaster. But he was a great researcher. So he was fine. But not his students.
So no PPT is not recommended. Unless, you have a super motivated group. Or if you teach PhDs. Yup, it is their problem and their duty to learn.
Bare Minimum PPT
I have seen professors with barebone content on their slides. Title, main topics, done-
They use it to keep track of the topic and have the students engaged and filling out the slides during class.
Eh, not bad- I have seen it work.
I had this type of PPT lecture and it was a bit annoying because I had to fill out so much. I was more busy writing down and filling in the details.
Thank God I had friends who were great note takers that saved me.
My thoughts it can be done but not always the best-
PPT to the Max
I had professors who made PPT slides into books. Not kidding.
I didn’t have much trouble except one professor would not upload his slides (this is almost 20 years ago). So trying to read the small font was true torture.
Also, there was so much stuff that we got lost.
Yeah that wasn’t so good.
Also, back in the day PPT was good but not as good as today.
So when a cool professor tried to put videos, it was a nightmare. It crashed…
But the worst was during high school, when one of the teachers used too many colors and sounds. It seemed like she put all the sounds available on Microsoft…
So putting too much IS NEVER GOOD. Don’t drown your students in PPT slides-
Then what is the best practice?
I cannot say that my slides are the best but one principle has worked for me.
I have learned the principle while I was TAing and learning from good/great professors.
I am very thankful for their wisdom and best practice.
The principle is as follows.
PPT slides should contain enough information that the student can learn on his own.
It should work like a GPS system that will enable him to fulfill his learning.
Hence, like a GPS system, I only try to put information about the stuff that the student should know. And be very direct. You don’t won’t your GPS saying too much.
Like Google Maps, I put suggestions with links if the student wants to learn further.
I never overcrowd the slide because I have bad eye sight. My fonts are large so nobody will be hindered by sitting on the back or having a bad eye sight.
But most importantly, I try to make the slides as complete and self-explanatory as possible so the student can learn following the slides.
Hope this principle helps-
Remember PPT slides should contain enough information that the student can learn on his own.
Thank You Jesus for all Your love and wisdom. Thank You God for enabling me to teach- I pray that You give me a humble and loving heart so I can love and serve the students. Amen!
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