Comment For Teachers #2

Comment 2.1

In this first post Mrs. Kathleen Morris brought to light the possible "Death of PowerPoint", and whether or not it is still a viable source of presentation in the classroom.  Discussed throughout the post was the students  inability to use utilize the programs correctly and in reflection a tiring use of PowerPoint was occurring.  She then outlines her beliefs on the subject and gives several examples of people who are ridiculing PPT but also individuals who are still saying that with proper usage the tool is effective.  Then through an example in her own classroom Mrs. Morris had given a project to:

Research the natural disaster.

Create a model or representation of their natural disaster.

Create a PowerPoint to inform the audience about the disaster.

Present the PowerPoint using speaking notes, and present their model.

She had noticed that the students had developed a poor habit using PPT.  The students were more interested in adding effects and colors than collecting and relaying the information to the viewers.  Set out to correct this Mrs. Morris and her partner edited the assignment and instructed the students to:

• Begin by dividing their topic into sub categories and work out theoverview of their presentation.
• Research by using books and credible internet sources.
• Use resources that they understand, put the information in their own words and include a reference section in their PowerPoint.
• Create a PowerPoint that focusses on using text that was no more than titles/key words.
• Source, attribute and use Creative Commons images.
• Create speaking notes to support their presentation.
• Engage and teach the audience by presenting their model of the natural disaster.

This change affected the presentation of all the students and both Morris and her partner were pleased with the results.  Well thought out construction of all parts of the assignment were noted and the students learned several aspects of gathering information and then presenting it to a group of classmates.  

My comments on Mrs. Morris' post were intuitive and substantive.  I addressed the hope that PPT will survive and that through proper usage it can flourish in this time of booming media technology.  I stated that  several other very interesting forms of presentation like SlideRocket, Prezi, 280 Slides, Empressr,  or even Google Earth do exist, but many students are unaware or unable to utilize these programs.  Any student or professional armed with the ability to properly present information is an asset to any career they choose.  It all starts in the classroom, and she is doing a great job of teaching these students how they can be valuable and successful in years to follow.


Comment 2.2

In Mrs. Morris' second post this month, Internet Safety Tips for Students, she gives educators several tips on safety when it comes to internet security in the classroom from a student's perspective.  She shared several tips that every classroom guide can use when tasked with an assignment that requires the use of the internet.  Morris alluded several times to the studies done by Susan McLean, a retired police officer and cyber safety expert, about the risks and dangers children face as a digital citizen.  Among these tips between both Morris and McLean were: 

Always ask an adult if you’re unsure of anything when you are online.

Don’t sign up for sites that are 13+ if you are not old enough (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram etc).

Remember YAPPY (the personal information you should not share online) – Your full name, address, phone number, passwords, your plans. 

Don’t add people as online friends unless you know them in real life or have parent permission. Never arrange to meet an online friend without talking to a parent.

Remember that you cannot believe everything you read on the internet and you can’t trust everything online friends tell you.

Choose sensible names for usernames, email addresses etc. 

Talk to your parents about what you’re doing online and let them know when you’re going on the internet.

Know what cyber bullying is and tell someone if you think it’s happening to you. Cyber bullying is when someone picks on you, annoys, embarrasses, or threatens you over and over again using technology, such as the internet or a phone.

Protect your digital footprint: don’t put anything online that you wouldn’t want all your friends, family, teachers and future employers to see.

Treat others online the way you’d like to be treated.

All of these tips are extremely valuable, but I particularly felt that the third tip she shared is the most important one.  I will keep these tips close at hand when I have my own classroom, and hopefully the students will remember these rules throughout their digital citizenship.

My comments for this blog post were short and sweet.  I thanked her for the great tips she shared for students using the internet, as well as the videos that were aired on public television in the UK to prevent these cyber crimes.  To watch one of the videos, click here.  I also commented on my hopes to see a post in the future geared towards parent's and teacher's roles in cyber protection.