Ok, sorry, I can't really help you with that. But if you have a little bit of "free time" (aka work time/prep time), pull out your computer and pull up either Microsoft Powerpoint or Apple's Keynote. I personally prefer Keynote. When I first bought a Macbook in 2010, I couldn't figure out how to navigate the program, but when Apple rolled out an update that was free for everyone who had purchased the previous version and it was super-amazing! So easy and it makes so much more sense.
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| I am currently working on a website for my students and classes. So this article is shown on both my personal website and my school website just so I could practice the design. When it is functional, if ever, I will have to let you know. |
Choose A Layout
First thing that I recommend doing is choosing a layout for each class. I pick a layout that will work for the entire school year. For 7th grade, I use the brown "Typeset" layout. Eight grade gets the orange and charcoal "Improv." Ninth grade sees "Renaissance" on a daily basis, and the 10th grade gets my favorite "Moroccan." Whenever I have a special presentation like "Remember 9/11" or a Presidential speech from the night before, I will use "Photo Portfolio." I think consistency is a key aspect to a well-run classroom and that goes all the way to the background of my presentations. (By the way, I am just a little OCD. :) But, the kids know and appreciate it (whether they realize it or not).
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| 9th Grade: Cultural Geography always knows this Layout is theirs. Also I make sure to place a limit on the amount of information included on each slide. Sure, I said a lot more about Scandinavia, but this was exactly what they needed to know at this moment. |
Include Only the Most Important Information
Don't put every word that you plan on saying on the presentation. The students will have a hard enough time discerning what information they need to know for your assessments. You don't want to overwhelm them with a flood of information. I filter this information by only including that I want them to write in their notes. The students are informed that they can put the information in their own words, and I typically will not slow down for them to copy the notes. For the 7-8th grade, I will pause for a few moments after I finish that slide's worth of information because they are still learning, but the older ones just have to deal with it.
Use Basic Animation
During my class time, I want the students to focus on me - not my digital presentations. To accomplish this, I use very basic animation. Just enough to keep the next bullet point hidden until I am ready to present it. I keep it boring (only in animation), so the students are not distracted by motion on the screen. Every last bullet point in my presentations are animated to "Appear." You might want to use a different animation, but don't go wild!
Be Interesting
I Know I just told you to be boring, but don't! Be interesting! Using digital presentations allows you to visually connect with you students. It opens you to a whole level and learning style that you cannot attain simply through auditory learning. Use pictures appropriately throughout your presentation. What did Cicero look like? What are some illustrations of the Tower of Babel? What might the Hanging Gardens of Babylon looked like? I insert as many pictures as humanly possible without pulling off a cluttered look. Some of my presentations are about 25 slides of information and another 25 slides of pictures. Sometimes I use real life photographs, illustrations, cartoons, comics, and photos from places that I have visited (that relate to the class.) I also use video clips, but that is another story. The students love seeing what you are talking about! Also, they do live in a media-obssessed world, so it makes sense to relate as much as they possibly can. One last thing, the pictures make history real. It goes from dusty old textbook to living reality.
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| 8th Grade: American Republic is my favorite presentation layout. I love the charcoal and white. It makes the pictures pop. And who doesn't love American history? |
Little Details
For the benefit of your students and more so for your own sanity, preview your presentations between you take it into the classroom. Make sure that the font is large enough to clearly be seen by everyone in the room. Make sure the pictures are not blurry or too blurry to be seen. Make sure the slides have the same consistent transitions. Make sure that words are not running of the page or details of a picture are obstructed from view. I often check presentations on my own computer, and if I have any concerns I will project the presentation on my tv at home just to make sure.
Plan Ahead
I would be lying if I didn't tell you that it takes lots of time to prepare these presentation. Sometimes I will have just a short period of time or a poor internet connection, so I will just pull out the notes that I have prepared ahead and start transposing the text into Keynote. That will save me a ton of time late. Also if there is a really rough patch of time and I couldn't get the pictures in - at least I have the text complete and can still teach without changing the consistency in my class. (I am saying only do this in an emergency! Don't make a habit of it.) And finally, it really does take a while to do this. A regular week night is not the best time for me to create a presentation - look over it, sure! but never create. So look at what is coming up for your next week and add the pictures and animation while you are watching your favorite tv shows or movies over the weekend.
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