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      PowerPoint-less?!
      Submitted by Georgia Papamic... on 19 May, 2010 - 23:20

      C'mon...Let's admit it - the majority of us, when students, didn't quite like spending time studying vocabulary items. 

      And now we know that the majority of our own students don't enjoy that, either.

      There are various methods in order to present the new vocabulary items in class, ie via songs, flashcards and blah, blah, blah.

      During the current school year I was blessed with an interactive whiteboard. So, I've tried to make the most of it by presenting the new vocabulary items with power point files.

      In fact, it is something like flashcards, but more interactive and interesting for the learners, the teenage ones, in particular. 

      What I do is:

      • I insert a funny or worth remembering picture which refers to the meaning of the word.
      • The new word appears written under the picture.
      • I give them the new word in context with an example.
      I know that sometimes it might require a lot of preparation and effort, yet it is really worth it!

       

      The truth is that I got inspired by a co-teacher of mine and her students seem to like it, as well.

      So, if you have the chance or if you are currently using an interactive whiteboard, you should definitely try it!

       

       

      Average: 3 (3 votes)

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      Rob Lewis's picture
      Rob Lewis
      TE Team
      Powerpoint in class
      Submitted on 26 May, 2010 - 15:31

      Hi Georgia

      Thanks for sharing what you're doing! I agree that powerpoint is great for this kind of thing. It does take a bit of time at first, but is worth it when you have a huge collection at the end of a term/course.

      With secondary groups I used to use definitions + words, and would only show the definition (the word itself appearing 'on click'). It's great for quick vocab revision at the beginning or end of a lesson, getting everyone's attention, or just to add an element of competition. 

      If you have lots and lots of words there (by adding a few words for each class) you can use the number pad to jump between them so you don't always go in the same order e.g. if you type '15' during a presentation you go to slide 15.

      Powerpoint is a much undervalued teaching resource...

      Rob

      Georgia Papamichaelidou's picture
      Georgia Papamic...
      Hello, Rob!
      Submitted on 26 May, 2010 - 22:45

      Hello, Rob!

      I'm glad you are actually using the PowerPoint.

      In my opinion, technology itself is somehow underestimated and used in somehow wrong ways.

      I like your method and I think I'll give it a try, especially with phrasal verbs or idioms.

      Thank you!