Just a Thought

I love colored chalk. No. Really. It's great. Especially pink chalk. That stuff is awesome.

MACUL Application/Reflection (sort of)

It is finally spring break! Though it doesn't truly feel like spring outside. In fact it feels like fall: cold, windy, and dreary. But I think I'll take this opportunity to reflect on what I learned from MACUL... those many weeks ago.

Twitter is fun, addictive, and when used correctly, I imagine effective for certain purposes (though I have not updated in weeks). LiveBlogging has potential... though I wish the comments made by others participating would show automatically on the screen. Otherwise, it just looks like I'm talking to myself.

I attended a session about how to use Powerpoint effectively in the classroom. And one of the interesting pieces of information I learned during this session was the effectiveness of placing a picture on a slide and having the text on a separate sheet of paper (handout).

So.

I decided to attempt a lesson using this suggested method. The lesson was with my 11th graders on the characteristics of Gothicism. Actually, I was quite proud of this lesson. I got some great pictures (classic paintings and the like) that I thought really embodied Gothicism. What I didn't take into account was the following...

The importance of an LCD projector.

Powerpoints in my classroom must be given through the television set. The quality of the Powerpoint slides then goes down dramatically. My students were squinting trying to see what was on the screen. And the impact that I was hoping for? Kind of missed it...

Alright I have to admit there were more factors other than the technological that got in the way. However, I'm going to try look into a possible LCD Projector that I might be able to borrow. Maybe? I don't do Powerpoints that often, but to engage visually oriented learners it might be a good idea to try this type of lesson again with something that might make the images have more impact.