Possible Uses for PowerPoint in Classes

Hello everybody,
Although I can use PowerPoint very well, as teaching tool, I have learned a lot by reading the different sources recommended (hot keys, shortcuts, the audience needs and characteristics, goals and handouts, when and how to talk, when to address seeing and hearing, using mixture of media…etc). I think I can do a lot with PowerPoint to get my students engaged all the time and during all the stages of the lesson:
1. Warm up: graphic images or pictures may be used. Groups look and comment, or look and answer questions, look and solve the problem given…etc

2. Main Points: Using a certain technique, like questioning technique, with the help of different media that address different senses and learning Styles, the main points of the lesson can be handled. Students anticipate, ask, answer, speak, discuss, draw, write, listen, conclude, present…etc

3. Application Activity: Giving a model sample (using text, pictures, vide-clips, web-links…) of the application Activity for the Students before doing the activity individually, in pairs or in groups. I think this helps Students know what is expected from them and how their work will be assessed.

4. Wrap up: Using images or other graphics to help students recall what has been taught. Other techniques can be used (True/False, close test, fill in the gaps, correct the mistakes, fill in the gaps, label the figure…etc).

5. Homework: Homework technique can vary to suit the material taught. Using text, Video-clips, web-links, WebQuests, Online Discussing Groups…etc homework can be assigned. Students can be asked to present their homework as a PowerPoint presentation.

In my opinion, PowerPoint is a magic tool to teaching aids.

All the best

Ahmed Khattab

Enhancing Learning by Engaging Students

Hello everybody,

I think "Online Discussion Groups" will suit my students as a technique to get them involved. The advantages of Online Discussion Groups are:
1. Students feel they have a community of their own
2. There is no face to face observation and this gives students enough freedom to get involved and be natural, creative, to share and care
3. the moderator can direct the discussion all the time to be on the desired track
4. this technique basically uses e-mails to send, receive and subscribe. so, it enhances the use of technology and multimedia and the skills required.
5. Files are allowed in different format
6. Having different intelligences, skills and learning styles, students can benefit from each other and help one another
7. Students can work at ease, at any time or anyplace
8. students can use an endless resources from the internet
9. An online discussion rubric can be used for evaluation or assessment

All the best

Ahmed Khattab