WHAT'S THE (POWER)POINT?

Professors and students around campus were asked about PowerPoint and if it provides any benefits. 
Photo Courtesy of  Microsoft 

    Colleges and universities across the nation help their students learn in different ways. While this is true of the United States, it is also true locally. Concord University has a variety of professors who do not all teach the same way. An article published by Business Insider suggested that universities ban PowerPoint usage in the classroom because it makes students ignorant and professors boring. Professors and students were asked at the university on whether PowerPoint is beneficial or not.  

Many professors voiced their opinions on PowerPoint and how it assists students in learning. A majority of professors expressed that PowerPoints are a good learning tool, but they have to be used correctly. When Dr. Kim Chambers, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was asked, she responded, “If used correctly. In the sciences, there’s a lot of diagrams and things. It’s a good thing to put up so students can follow what you’re talking about. I even like to put notes on there to help students remember what that slide is pertaining to.” However, she also stated that if the students do not actively engage in the lecture and take their own notes, solely relying on PowerPoint is not enough. 

    Dr. Alloway, Associate Professor of Chemistry, weighed in by saying, “I really like using it and I think it’s helpful if it is used correctly. A PowerPoint shouldn’t have tons of words on it. It shouldn’t be a thing that students are reading during class, but to me, it provides an outline of what we’re going to cover in a day.” She explained that it helps her keep her thoughts in order and helps ensure she doesn’t miss anything. “I don’t want to mention something to one section and not to another section and then put it on a test thinking I’ve told everyone about it,” she states. Mrs. Akers, Instructor of Communication Arts, says she is a frequent user of PowerPoint and states her opinion on it. She says, “The PowerPoint should not say the same things that you are saying. The purpose of the PowerPoint is to augment understanding. PowerPoint slides should not have a whole lot of text. If people are reading a lot of text, they won’t be paying attention to the presenter who should be the center of attention.”

    However, there are professors who use if for some classes and not for others. Dr. Hawthorne-Allen, Associate Professor of Physics, says, “I use Power Points in PHYS 105 Introductory Astronomy because it is useful for students to see images of objects in space provided by telescopes as we discuss them in class and it is hard to provide equivalent or better opportunities with other technology readily accessible to students. I also use them to help clarify common misconceptions in astronomy, some of which are on the slides provided by the textbook and thus serve as class examples for analysis and assessment.” On the other hand, she does not use them for physics courses because she says they are not as effective as using board examples, interactive exercises on small white boards and lecture demonstrations. She is also in agreeance with the other professors in that PowerPoint can effectively enhance learning of complex diagrams while they can also be a hindrance if used poorly by the instructor. Dr. Winfrey, Professor and Division Chair of Science, Mathematics and Health, is similar in his style with Dr. Hawthorne-Allen because he doesn’t use PowerPoint in his lower-level courses. He likes the use of PowerPoint for upper-level courses and says, “The thing I like about it is frees the students from having to take as many notes. I can also do artwork better because I’m a terrible drawer.” While discussing artwork, Mr. Jack Sheffler, Associate Professor of Art and Division Chair of Fine Arts, says PowerPoint is very useful in the arts. “You can show pictures of sculptures, buildings and so on. It’s the best way to show a quick picture and you can show different views in an animation style where you can show different angles and close-ups. It works really well,” he says. 

    There are professors who do not use PowerPoint as well. Dr. Howard, Professor of Political Science in the Division of Social Sciences, expressed her opinion by saying, “I find PowerPoints distracting. I can’t concentrate on what someone is saying; I find myself just reading the slides. Very rarely do students (in course evaluations) say that they wish I used slides, and then it is usually that they wish slides were posted online. That, I’m afraid, becomes a substitute for attending class.” She also says that PowerPoints reduce student attention and engagement. Dr. Williams, Associate Professor of Communication Arts, emphasized why he doesn’t use PowerPoint for his lectures. “I find it limits where discussion can go. It also keeps, at least some of the classrooms in this building, the rooms very dark and I find when it’s dark, students are more likely to fall asleep. I would much rather keep their attention with my voice than through the screen,” he says. Williams explained that, in his opinion, technology is unreliable and he doesn’t trust it enough to use on a daily basis. 

    With professors expressing their views on PowerPoint, one may ask what students think. Concord students were asked of their opinion on PowerPoint in the classroom. A biology major says, “PowerPoint is a good learning tool when used correctly. I like when professors provide us with the PowerPoints they teach from.” In agreeance, a chemistry major weighed in by saying, “PowerPoint is okay, but it depends on the teacher and involvement. PowerPoint can be good.” Some students expressed their dislike of PowerPoints. A social work major says, “PowerPoints are boring. I feel like the professor is just reading to me and not actually teaching. I’m a hands-on learner so PowerPoint does no good for me.” An education major states, “I do not feel PowerPoints are as powerful and useful as examples or hands-on learning. PowerPoints are more of an aid than a learning platform. I’m more of a tactile learner and I like to do things with my hands.” Additionally, a business major states, “I feel as if PowerPoints aren’t useful because they don’t always cover all the content needed on that particular area. It’s more reading than actual teaching. I would do away with PowerPoints, they just give you a visual and nothing more.” 

    The different views amongst professors and students of the university provide an interesting perspective for the Business Insider article and how PowerPoints should be used in the classroom.