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Showing posts from March, 2012

Have You Ever Died of PowerPoint Presentations?

  Today I had the privilege to attend a so-called workshop on Teacher Anger Management. The presenter holds a PhD in educational psychology and has been conducting workshops and training sessions for many years. What made the workshop unusually tedious and droning was how the presenter used PowerPoint as a tool to replace him. I mean, here is a PhD holder in educational psychology and an experienced teacher trainer, yet he does not have any clue on effective presentation, regardless of the presence of a visual aid such as the PowerPoint. He clearly didn’t have a clue on the basics of multimedia theories and practices. If he had ever read anything in terms of working memory and long term memory and the effect of the verbal and visual channels on the attendees’ minds, he would’ve definitely revamped his presentation and restructured his workshop. At the end of the workshop, teachers said that they learned one important thing from the workshop: Not to use this type of  PowerPoint presen

Ten Videos Every Educator Should Watch (and Reflect on)

The internet abound with videos for educators, some contextual and benefit educators in particular situations  at a particular time (e.g. tools tutorials) while others are timeless by focusing on what really matters in education. Below are 10 videos that every educator should watch and reflect on his teaching context. Changing Education Paradigms: Sir Ken Robinson (an adapted animation) In this talk from RSA Animate, Sir Ken Robinson lays out the link between 3 troubling trends: rising drop-out rates, schools' dwindling stake in the arts, and ADHD. An important, timely talk for parents and teachers. Changing Paradigms: Sir Ken Robinson   2.  Five Ways to Listen Better: Julian Treasure In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure, "We are losing our listening." In this short, fascinating talk, Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening -- to other people and the world around you. Five Ways to Listen Better   3.