As a visual learner, I benefit from presentations that include lots of images, videos, and anything interactive that keeps my attention. I do not benefit from too much wording from the presentation. I also learn from repetition, so taking notes throughout the presentation significantly increase my learning of the topic. Interaction also aids my learning from a presentation. I thrive on peer and instructor interaction through a period of instruction. It forces me to stay alert and exchange ideas/opinions on the topic being discussed. Some of the best presentations that I have sat on, deviated from the presentation and forced the class to critically analyze a topic and discuss. Unfortunately, I do not benefit from a monotonous presentation where the instructor talks the entire time. If the teacher is using a Power Point presentation, having the copy of the brief/presentations also aids me in staying focused because I can follow the presentation and take notes on the paper copy. I am a big fan of online education however, I enjoy and learn more from a resident classroom presentation vice an online presentation. I think that sitting in a classroom forces you to listen to the period of instruction whereas an online presentation you have to battle distractions.
Will, it sounds like we have much in common when it comes to learning. I find it difficult to learn material when I have to sift through the rhetoric and find the bottom line. I like it when presentations are not very wordy and are to the point. I usually will take notes and at the end of a unit before the test, I will take my notes and try to organize them into a graphic organizer of some kind. This allows me to find conceptual meaning and make personal connections with the material. I also prefer interaction. It helps me to discuss material as it is integrating itself in my brain. I am also a huge believer of interacting with the material in some way. I do very well when I am given opportunities to apply what I am learning. It really helps me. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to hear your perspective on presentations in education. Sometimes it is easy to forget how others or our students learn as opposed to how we receive information. I agree that following along is a huge help for learneres as opposed to simply listening to a lecture. Using a variety of techniques really allows students to stay engaged at a much higher level. Personally I love being able to work on my graduate degree online as opposed to going to class. I did thoroughly enjoy taking an intensive but prefer learning online. Thanks for the post and good luck with the remainder of this class!
ReplyDeleteI, too appreciate a handout for a presentation but only when the presenter is elaborating on the content of the slides. It really annoys me to receive a handout and have the presenter read the same information from the slides with no other information added. I can read the handout for myself.
ReplyDeleteI really do like our online classes. With my schedule, and those of our children and my husband, online classes force me to mine out information. These blogs have helped me get to know people through their posts and to share about myself. I'm a bit of a geek, anyway!
Have a great week!