Structured Reflection Journal

What are the benefits of integrating presentation technologies into a classroom?

Students derive added benefit from instruction that utilizes presentation technology in many ways. First, the format is much more palatable than the traditional lecture format because it can incorporate multimedia elements.

PowerPoint and Hyperstudio presentations are flexible enough to allow many multimedia elements and hyperlinks. They can also be printed as guided notes for students and can be converted to HTML for use on the World Wide Web.

 

What presentation devices and solutions are available, and in what setting are they appropriately implemented?

Presentation devices include computers, LCD overhead panels, LCD projection devices, large screen televisions, and large screen computer monitors are the main pieces of presentation devices available. Software packages such as Hyperstudio and PowerPoint facilitate presentation design, making visually pleasing multimedia presentations easy to create.

These presentations are suitable for any classroom or large group setting so long as the environment allows for clear viewing of the presentation. This usually requires a darkened room with no direct sunlight.

 

Describe the presentation technologies projected to be available in the near future. How will such devices have impact in the classroom?

New presentation technology such as LCD overhead panels and LCD projection devices have a current place in schools, although their cost is usually prohibitive. Many school own one or a few of these devices but they are rarely placed in individual classrooms on a permanent basis. Other distance education tools and large screen monitors are also very cost prohibitive but they too are making a move into the mainstream classroom.

As the quality increases and cost drops for presentation tools we will likely see more and more school districts accept the investment of such technology. Along with this comes some exciting change coupled with new requirements on teacher education and teacher inservice programs. The method of presentation will be more varied in the future and will allow for many multimedia capabilities.

 

To what does the term "screen-agers" refer? Why is this important in considering presentation technologies?

Screen-agers are those youth who have grown up in the last two decades. They are known by this term because of their stigma as having been raised by television screens. The proliferation of cable television and video cassette recorders has been a boon to the electronics industry and a burden to those wish students would study more and watch television less.

Many people feel that students in today's classrooms expect to be entertained by what appears on a television screen rather than learn from it. It is crucial that presentation technologies are selected that differ in both design and operation than technology that students are familiar with. This effort will create a sufficient gap between entertainment and education.