Ulrika R
PowerPoint
Something that I think is useful and makes the English lessons more interesting is PowerPoint. This is a program that helps you make presentations with both text and pictures and even sound. You can on your own decide how advanced the presentation would be, you can also decide how long the pages should be shown and on which way they will show up on the screen in front of the class. It functions like a slideshow of digital papers on the screen. This is a few examples on what you can do in PowerPoint.
• Tables
• Diagrams
• Use your own pictures
Today in school pupils are well known with computers and know how to use them, often before their parents and teachers, so why should we not take advantage of this. Often is computer a way to make conversation between both teacher and pupils and between pupils. If the computer is something that a pupil is good at, let him/her take advantage of that!
From which age can pupils be able to work with this program? Well, since the pupils shall learn English the most common age are from the third class and older. Of course we teach younger pupils English but before year three the most common English lesson consists of few words and phrases. I think that pupils from third class can begin to make their own PowerPoint as they learn more English and if you like they can work in groups. The reason why I think it is appropriate from year three in school is because pupils have to be able to read and write, if they can´t do this on their own the lessons could be problematic and even make the pupils not want to study the new language.
I have seen pupils in year four made brilliant presentations by using Powerpoint. They have by them selfes made this presentation and are very proud of it, they also think that they have learned a lot both about the program and about the subject.
When the pupils have done their first PowerPoint they probably want to do another because this is a stimulating way to learn English and work with ICT at the same time!
//Ulrika R
This is a very good ICT resource, I agree. And its very helpfull for the pupils. Just like you mentioned the pupils are often well known with computers and know how to use them.
ReplyDeleteI think that pupils who are jet to learn how to read and write however still could benefit from PowerPoint in a learning situation. One of the most beneficial aspects of usisng PP as a resource is that, just like you mention in your blog post, you can use this resource for other ways to comunicate than written language. By using sounds, images and perhaps even films in your PP children could learn even though they have problems using the written form of the language. This meaning that if used properly this resource actually could make an excellent form for teaching younger pupils.
Nevertheless it´s a fantastic resource for pupils to use in school and just like you wrote in your blog it is a stimulating way of working with any kind of subject. Motivation and interest are key for learning and using these kinds of resources is a godd way to unlock these issues.
// Frida Wetterling