2B. Activity
Designing Engaging Presentations |
Presentation design and flow can really make or break your professional learning program. View the video to the right (Steve Jobs Iconic Moments) to watch Steve Jobs unveil the iPad for the first time during his keynote presentation. As you view the video think about the following:
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Although the video above is introducing a consumer product and NOT an instructional strategy, curricula, tool, and/or resource for educators, the intention is the same--to engage your audience and obtain buy-in on something new. To engage professionals in learning new concepts, ideas, and skills in a traditional professional setting, whether it be online or face-to-face there are three important factors-- Preparation, design/use of media, and delivery that supports the presentation. These three factors must work together for the educators you work with to stay engaged and focused because, as we know, when educators are asked to attend an event, there are many items on their mind such as grading, planning, communicating, etc. Garr Reynolds, author of the book Presentation Zen and blogger mentions these three components. Review his Presentation Tips to self-evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
Elements of Successful Presentations When designing both the delivery part of your presentation AND the multimedia that accompanies your delivery, it is important you have all the important elements that will engage your participants in continuous learning which will lead to applications. The four items below are your checklist to engaging presentations:
Review the blog post from PowToon entitled You Are No Longer Allowed to Present to get a better idea of these essential elements. View the PowToons Video to the right on Presentation Design to view some best practices of presentation design. |
Presentation Design Summary and Exercise |
Alternatives to Traditional Presentations
Microsoft PowerPoint was launched in 1990 and prior to that, Mackiev's HyperStudio was used beginning in 1989 to present multimedia. The term "Death By PowerPoint" is sometimes used as many of us have seen hundreds, if not thousands, of presentations. With the increased access of Web 2.0 tools, there are several alternatives to traditional slide deck presentations that can provide novelty and excitement for some of the educators you work with. Review at least two different options below to get a sense of what it offers:
Traditional Vs. Job-Embedded Professional Development
Professional Development Overview
The following content was adapted from: http://education-2020.wikispaces.com/Professional+Development under a Creative Commons License
Before you begin preparing your presentation, you must first think about and understand the culture of professional learning that exists. Professional learning is not just something that is important for teachers. It is important for all those involved in education from the support staff right up to the administrators. Professional learning that includes participants from support, teaching and administration at the same time can help to bridge the divisions between groups. When differing groups work together, there is a greater chance of understanding each others work and also in forging bonds between the groups to work towards a common purpose. Developing a culture of continuous learning and modeling the use of personal learning networks will be key to engaging students and the community. Below we focus on professional learning for teachers.
Professional Learning for Teachers
Quality teachers can be one of the greatest determinants of student achievement. Teacher’s education, ability, and experience account for more variation in student achievement than all other factors. Studies have found that 40 to 90 percent of the difference in student test scores can be attributed to teacher quality (Darling-Hammond and Ball, Teaching for High Standards: What Policymakers Need to Know and Be Able to Do). What’s more, teachers are under more pressure than ever to perform, help students produce high test scores, and demonstrate effectiveness in the classroom. Knowing the subject matter, understanding how students learn, and practicing effective teaching methods translate into greater student achievement. Therefore, it is vitally important that teachers be well prepared when they begin teaching and that they continue to improve their knowledge and skills throughout their careers.
Despite the difficulty of finding specific methods for professional learning, there are several resources that can help districts, schools and educators take the correct steps toward better and more effective professional learning.
Characteristics of Quality Professional Learning
Professional Learning Goals and Professional Learning Roles
Federal Government
Working Together
Many teachers also reported acquiring professional learning through collaborative and reflective activities outside traditional training settings. The graph below from research in 2003-04 shows the large discrepancy between traditional PD and a more job-embedded approach (defined in the following section). How much has really changed today and how can we develop a paradigm shift in your role as a professional developer?
The following content was adapted from: http://education-2020.wikispaces.com/Professional+Development under a Creative Commons License
Before you begin preparing your presentation, you must first think about and understand the culture of professional learning that exists. Professional learning is not just something that is important for teachers. It is important for all those involved in education from the support staff right up to the administrators. Professional learning that includes participants from support, teaching and administration at the same time can help to bridge the divisions between groups. When differing groups work together, there is a greater chance of understanding each others work and also in forging bonds between the groups to work towards a common purpose. Developing a culture of continuous learning and modeling the use of personal learning networks will be key to engaging students and the community. Below we focus on professional learning for teachers.
Professional Learning for Teachers
Quality teachers can be one of the greatest determinants of student achievement. Teacher’s education, ability, and experience account for more variation in student achievement than all other factors. Studies have found that 40 to 90 percent of the difference in student test scores can be attributed to teacher quality (Darling-Hammond and Ball, Teaching for High Standards: What Policymakers Need to Know and Be Able to Do). What’s more, teachers are under more pressure than ever to perform, help students produce high test scores, and demonstrate effectiveness in the classroom. Knowing the subject matter, understanding how students learn, and practicing effective teaching methods translate into greater student achievement. Therefore, it is vitally important that teachers be well prepared when they begin teaching and that they continue to improve their knowledge and skills throughout their careers.
Despite the difficulty of finding specific methods for professional learning, there are several resources that can help districts, schools and educators take the correct steps toward better and more effective professional learning.
Characteristics of Quality Professional Learning
- Continuous learning, not a one-time seminar
- Focused on improving classroom practice and increasing student learning
- Embedded in the daily work of teaching, not relegated to special occasions or separated from the learning needs of students
- Centered on crucial teaching and learning activities—planning lessons, evaluating student work, and developing curriculum
- Cultivated in a culture of collegiality that involves sharing knowledge and experience on the same student improvement objectives
- Supported by modeling and coaching that teaches problem solving techniques
- Based on investigation of practice through case study, analysis, and professional discourse
Professional Learning Goals and Professional Learning Roles
Federal Government
- Provides guidelines for boosting teacher quality
- Holds states accountable
- Adopt standards
- Require district, school, and teacher plans
- Allocate resources
- Approve professional learning providers
- Require evaluations
- Provide statewide training programs and academies
- Develop a state plan
- Provide technical assistance
- Offer curriculum and instructional support
- Lead staff development training
- Advise on legal and financial issues
- Oversee county school districts
- Adopt standards
- Develop a district plan
- Train principals and teacher leaders
- Evaluate professional learning
- Provide support for teachers
- Deliver professional learning
- Manage federal and state requirements
- Access online information and activities
- Attend conferences
- Participate in curriculum planning
- Work collaboratively
- Pursue National Board Certification
Working Together
Many teachers also reported acquiring professional learning through collaborative and reflective activities outside traditional training settings. The graph below from research in 2003-04 shows the large discrepancy between traditional PD and a more job-embedded approach (defined in the following section). How much has really changed today and how can we develop a paradigm shift in your role as a professional developer?
Job Embedded Professional Learning
According to an excerpt on Professional Learning from the Center for Innovation and Improvement Handbook on Effective Implementation of School Improvement Grants (2011), "Teachers often acknowledge that the professional learning they receive is of limited usefulness to their daily work and to their professional growth." A more proven method of professional learning is that of a job-embedded approach. View the video on the right to get a better understanding of this type of professional learning. Job Embedded Professional Learning can exist in many forms and compliment traditional forms for professional learning allowing for immediate implementation and acquisition of new skills. These can include the following:
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Activity Instructions
Using an alternative presentation tool or graphic organizer other than PowerPoint or Keynote, develop a professional learning proposal to present to stakeholders in your school, district, organization, etc. For both traditional and job-embedded, share at least one professional learning opportunity, the benefit, and a specific strategy for how you can engage participants in active learning throughout.