post #7

1) There are some advantages and disadvantages to using presentation software in the K12 classroom. An adavantage would be for your students who are visual learners. Some students learn by linking images together in their head to formulate a flow or pattern. Sometimes you can not just verbally explain a process but, you must give images(pictures) and verbal explanations. A disadvantage could be that the presentation software can be seen as distracting. Instead of allowing the kids to read and do assignments on their own, your basically doing it for them. By displaying the information on a projector is allowing the students to skip out on reading the material for themselves.
2)If I were to use powerpoint for presentations I would incorporate interactive tools to involve my students throughout the learning process. I would set-up review questions at the end of the powerpoint for the students to answer. I would have links in the power point to different slides that have the right/wrong answers. Then I could reward the students with candy for picking the correct answers. This way the students are paying attention and learning new information I am presenting them with.
3.)I don't think twitter and facebook should be used in the classroom. These websites are a major distraction for students. They can chat with their friends about things that aren't related to education or assignments you have posted. They should use other tools such as WIKI to interact with other classmates on an assignment.