May 1995 — Features

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Students Assess Computer-Aided Classroom Presentations

In fact, the students' main concern appears to be note-taking and they seem frustrated when they cannot copy the required information. 2.Students are afraid of classes becoming depersonalized, or the instructor losing his/her personal teaching style, gestures, expressiveness and control over the class. 3.Students dislike it when faculty simply read aloud each bullet point. They suggest including only the key points and orally elaborating on them, using traditional teaching styles. 4.Several instructors do not appear to be proficient at using equipment. Students feel this is distracting and wastes time. 5.Students do not like it when setting up the equipment wastes class time. 6.Students do not like it when the technology is used in every class. At the same time, they believe it needs to be used more than just a few times. 7.Students note that "jazzy" presentations slow down the amount of information provided and give less "meat." Room Design and Layout 1.One of the most common complaints is that the rooms are too dark for students to see notes or the instructor. 2.A larger image or screen is needed for larger classes. 3.Students dislike it when faculty stand in front of the screen or sit down to control the computer. Hardware 1.Students suggest that sound quality be improved. 2.They suggest system response time be improved. Benefits, as Judged by Students Students noted the following benefits of computer-aided presentations: 1.Make classes more interesting, exciting, fun, entertaining, less boring and were a welcome change of pace. 2.Make class more organized. 3.Help students understand the material better and enhances learning. 4.Make the information clearer, neater and more colorful. 5.Aid note-taking in general: highlights the important information and key points; is a vast improvement over classes in which instructors use hand-written notes that many students cannot read; helps students see words hard to pronounce or spell; helps students unfamiliar with English language. 6.Help students pay attention and stay focused on the subject. 7.Aid visual learners. 8.Provide a more flexible, versatile, and efficient way of teaching. 9.Reinforce and support the material. 10.Indicate that professors are keeping up with technology.

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