Session 5

Best Practices

There are many ways to integrate technology in an educational setting. The ways to integrate it are almost as diverse as the ways to establish a best practice. Technology is all around us. It takes a technologically literate person to recognize technology not just for what it is, but for the infinite uses it can have when it is coupled with a little creativity and imagination. But for as many diverse practices as there are, I have to say that I like one of the most basic ones. I like power point presentations. It is simple software with great flexibility.

I was introduced to Microsoft Power Point by way of conferences and meetings a few years back. The first uses of power point presentations that I witnessed were simple slides with bullets and paragraphs. When it was my turn to show the logistics for our next operation in the desert, I decided to try to accomplish it with a power point presentation. I borrowed the software and began playing with it. My first presentation was very basic. It took a few more presentations and experimenting with it to get the automation, sound, and animation features to be integrated smoothly into the conferences. I believe power point is one of the most used, even sometimes abused, software programs. It is easy to learn. Still pictures and animation give it a visual attractiveness that can aid in keeping the audience engaged and interested. Some people have not used this program because they have not taken the time to learn it, others feel it is boring. Just like with any other technology, the situation and individual will dictate the best practice to follow.

Weekly Log
-Download and listen to Session 5 MP3
-Formulate session 5 response
-Continue working on projects due
-Read classmates blogs
-Post comments on classmates blogs