Techno-Tasking Vs. Chewing Gum While Walking

Prompt #7

A paragraph on what you feel are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of using presentation software in the K-12 classroom.



A paragraph on how you might use PowerPoint to support student learning at each knowledge dimension in a particular lesson. Be explicit in your example!



Use Chapter 5 and online resources.A paragraph on an issue related to educational technology that now interests you. You may provide information, ask questions, include links, etc.

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Given my experience with presentation software, I can see the advantages that they present to students, allowing them multi-dimensional support while students present information to a group. However, the crutch of presentation software may hinder students' potential speaking abilities. Though presentation software is a common accesory to present-day lectures, presentations, etc., I feel that its presence may, in the long run, cause classic public speaking capabilities to become a rarity.

Powerpoint is very relevant in the classroom, as its visual and sound abilities appeal to a variety of learning heuristics. In secondary English courses, teachers may find a variety of uses for powerpoint in the classroom. While presenting a lesson on poetry or literature, instructors may post specific examples of literary elements on slides to give students specific points of reference. In studying Shakespeare's Macbeth, for example, I might include a passage demonstrating the author's use of iambic pentameter within the drama to further the students' understanding of the literary technique.

Graduate student Clint Reddekopp published a scholarly article at The University of Saskatchewan focusing on the growing paradigm of 'Techno-tasking." The article focuses on the recent multi-tasking that students demonstrate while using technology. Ultimately, Reddekopp concludes that all lessons must include some form of technology to ensure that gaps are bridged between the teachning genereation (oral lecture) and student generation (technology). Lecture-only courses lack success rates of technological lecture, yet relying on technology soley causes techo-tasking in students, which may or may not foster life-long learning.(http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/redekopp/index.htm) for more information on the effects of tecnho-tasking on the student population.