[LM_NET] Target: Is PowerPoint driving you nuts - or am I just an antique?

[Jacqueline Henry <JHenry@GANANDA.ORG>]

I am ready to launch a full-on assault against PowerPoint.  I have been following 
Joyce Valenza's series on the topic with great interest. 
 
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1340000334/post/130020413.html?nid=3714 
 
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1340000334/post/1030023103.html?nid=3714 
 
Before I start down the same path - I want to be ready to answer the kids 
objections.  I know they are the natives and I am the immigrant.  I want to be able 
to communicate with as little an accent as possible.
 
Here's the scenario:
Students have a research project.  The end product is a PowerPoint.  Being a 
digital immigrant - I anticipate they will gather information first, take notes 
(silly me) - or at least print information and highlight key points -  and FINALLY, 
open a PowerPoint and begin designing and entering the information they have 
decided to use.  In reality - more than half the kids open the PowerPoint first.  I 
am sure they are just doing a quick copy/paste into the slides.  The number of kids 
doing this has grown each year.  Interestingly, our 12th grade Government Teacher 
is now complaining that the kids do a terrible job at presenting.  All the faux-pas 
of PowerPoint are in evidence and - most telling - the kids stumble over 
pronunciation and cannot answer basic questions about the topic they are presenting.
 
My question:  Is there any compelling reason for starting the process by designing 
the PowerPoint first?  I know we have students who are talented graphically, and 
using  images helps them to think.  I don't want to squelch anyone's creativity - 
or block their particular part of the multiple intelligences pathway....but THIS IS 
DRIVING ME NUTS.  
 
Is it a digital native/ digital immigrant thing - or is it just a bad habit they 
have developed?  I will post a hit.
 
 
Jacquie

"The Librarian, whose job is to heal ignorance, to keep life safe for poetry and to 
put knowledge smack dab in the middle of the American way." ~ The Philadelphia 
Inquirer, 9-20-03

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jacquie Henry, MLS
Ruben A. Cirillo High School (GHS)
Gananda Central School District
3195 Wiedrick Road
P.O. Box 609
Macedon, NY  14502
315-986-3521 x 3144
jhenry@gananda.org 
Library Page: http://www.gananda.org/library/mshslibrary/indexgcl.htm 
Blog: http://nlcommunities.com/communities/wanderings/default.aspx

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------