Module+1+Presentation+Software


 * Module 1: Presentation Software **

[] This site provides really nice tutorials on how to use PowerPoint. [] This article talked about the Pros and Cons of PowerPoint and how it can defintiely be a very powerful classroom tool. [] This website highlighted some cool ideas on how to use PowerPoint in the classroom. [] Some cool PowerPoint templates.
 * Reading Assignment **
 * Search the web for helpful sites for PowerPoint and other presentation software (also review the links provided). These can be sites with templates or examples for you to use or articles about the usefulness of PowerPoint or Keynote. Copy and paste three links into our discussion area with a brief description of each site. **

You will create a presentation using PowerPoint or Keynote that will be of some use for your classroom. Make sure to include the following:** I chose to create a @Glog. I uploaded it to my wiki. The Glog gives a brief introduction of myself and my family. I think I am going to use this as a means to introduce myself to my students at the start of the school and I think I will have them create their own glog doing the same thing; however, I will want them to use Spanish to communicate the information.
 * Action Assignment #1
 * **Insert images**
 * **Insert video (optional)**
 * **Insert sound**
 * **Insert audio (mp3, recording, etc)**
 * **Insert hyperlink (either external or internal)**
 * **Insert an Action Button**

**Discussion Questions #1 How often do you use presentation software (PowerPoint, Keynote, etc) in your classroom? How do you use it? Is it mainly during lecture or for note taking? Do you find it useful or cumbersome? Would you consider using the online presentation tools? If not why not? If yes, why?**

I would have to say that I use presentation software almost daily. Having LCD projectors in the classroom I like to have my daily plan up as students come in the class so they can see what is all planned for the day. I normally have my daily plan created on one or two Powerpoint slides. I also include any links to websites, documents, etc. on the PowerPoint to help with faster class transition. Last school year was when I really got into using this and other useful online tools and resources because I actually had the great honor of being assigned to just one classroom, which makes so much easier to be ready and going for each class; unfortunately next year, I will once again be teaching from a cart and will be changing room nearly every class period! I defintly know that I will continue to incorporate and use presentational tools in class as it not only helps me be more organized, but the students also respond to it better than having no visuals. I also love to use PowerPoint for games, my students always love to play games!!!!! There is a wealth of online teaching tools and resources out there that can really enhance our everyday lessons.


 * You must also respond to at least two other classmates.**
 * In response to Anne Brahe:** Anne, I agree with you in that PowerPoint and other presentational tools are great classroom resources in which we can incorporate so many additional learning tools such as graphs, charts, images, etc. I also agree that overdepending on PowerPoint can get very tedious for students and I also agree that we need to limit our use of it in order not to over use it.
 * In response to Erin Tipler:** Erin, I totally understand where you are coming from when you said that you felt it was harder this year to be as creative with your lesson and that it was also harder to incorporate the use of presentational tools into your lessons because of the fact that you were teaching something you had never taught before. I have found myself in that same boat several times too. Last year I also taught a level that I had never taught before as well as two other levels. I like to change things up every year, but found that this year I had less time to do new, fun things with all my classes because I was too worried about the level I ahd never taught before. While we are all striving to use more technology in our classrooms and in our lessons, it is really hard to do this when we are strapped for time. Thankfully this year I am back to just the two levels and I am already planning on using some of the new technologies we have learned about in our Master's program, as well as improve on some that I have already used.