Post Number 4

As a teacher, I would have students do basic outlines of the chapter they will be presenting on to get the general idea of the content. The outlines would be typed using a word processing program and then turned in for grading. From their outline, students could then make an idea map, using a program such as Inspiration. After all of the initial research and outlining, the students would then make their presentation using storyboard software, so their presentation is both interactive and fun for the other students.

I would encourage outlines because it involves the students in active reading so they know what the key concepts are in each chapter. I would also encourage idea maps if I am requiring a presentation from the information because it provides an organizational structure that will make subsequent ideas easier to address. It also provides a way for students to make sure they are following their topic and not getting off subject or out of order. I would not necessarily require a storyboard presentation because they can be very indepth in creation and time consuming. For a larger, maybe end of the semester project, I would have students prepare one, but for little presentations in between I would only require PowerPoint presentations.

We didn't have class last week, but from the prior week, I enjoyed learning about Inspiration because it could prove to be very useful. I think that working our way around the web was supposed to be the topic for last week, and I would have enjoyed learning how to help students navigate the web in doing research for a class and making sure they find the right information and know how to cite the information they use so they don't get in trouble. The internet is a very powerful tool, but students need to be aware of its pitfalls and know how to give credit where credit is due.