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Setting up Timeline
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Our first meeting
We had our first meeting to discuss our plan of attack per se. Carolyn wanted to establish some goals and interim mileposts. I agreed with this approach, and revealed that was my intention as well. I asked her for a rudimentary schedule of her work times so as to establish a timeline with goals. We agreed to meet for approximately 1/2 hr per week, in as regular a fashion as possible, both our schedules permitting. -
Power Point Introduction
Presented a short powerpoint to Carolyn. She mentions that being an audience member is nothing new to her, but that she is interested in the technical aspects of "building" a presentation. We discuss conceptulizing the project; I mention that the nuts and bolts are of secondary importance, and that the first thing to accomplish is to decide very specifically what to include in the presentation. -
How to create a powerpoint presentation
Carolyn and I discuss the basics of a powerpoint production. I demonstrate a simple 5 panel, presentation and we explore the several features of this program. Carolyn then generates her own 5 panel generic production. Satisfied that she has the basics, we explore her lesson plans and determine a portion best suited for such a presentation. -
First powerpoint to live class
Carolyn presents her first powerpoint, to her class, something we developed together. She quickly adapted to the production, but was somewhat hesitant during the presentation of it (I was in the back of the class). We have determined a method for evaluating the effectiveness (comparison of previous tests to the next one). Next we plan to incorporate multi media (perhaps You Tube) into another lesson. -
Multimedia Additions
Carolyn expresses interest in moving picture presentations to augment her current stock of stills. She does not want the "show" to steal the content and decides to look for short presentations. She selects a modern dental lab instructional production and carefully feathers its presentation into the lesson. Her class agrees to participate in her experiment. -
Clip art and other features
We explore advanced features of powerpoint. Carolyn understands the "death by powerpoint" concept and is seeking ways to convey information in non-boring ways. We explore interesting but not overly cutsey methods of dressing up the presentation. Carolyn remarks that the more creative you become in presentations, the better you should know your audience. The line between condescension and speaking over heads is more difficult to perceive. -
Other uses of technology in the classroom
Carolyn feels comfortable with PP, but still prefers to maintin some paper handout features with students-specifically fill in the blank worksheets for lecture. She states this maintains a desired level of direct student involvment in the lecture. We explore other uses of technology in the classroom, such as automated scoring (via a program called TeacherKit) and discuss CMS, which is not used at her facility. I assign her a short essay exlporing CMS vs. Web2.0 type platforms. -
CMS and TeachKit
Carolyn has a good grasp of typical CMS programs such as D2L and Moodles, as well as web based learning program CATE (specific to some classes at this JC). She appreciates the flexibility and power of TeachKit, but still prefers to enter grades in a way she is accustomed, pen and paper. Carolyn has seen no appreciable difference in quiz scores, but is not discouraged and sees this as progress (any non-drop with new tech is a plus).