Do Professors Prefer PowerPoint Slides or White/Blackboards in Lecture Halls?
The age-old debate about whether to use PowerPoint or whiteboards/blackboards in lecture halls continues to engage educators. While some favor the structured and convenient nature of digital presentations, others argue for the tactile and interactive experience of traditional board writing. Let's explore the perspectives from different professors and the pros and cons of each method.
Powerpoint Slides:
Universities and academia have widely embraced PowerPoint (PPS) as a tool for presentations. Its versatility, visual appeal, and ease of use make it a preferred choice for many professors. Diane, a professor at a liberal arts college, explains, “I started using PPS because my penmanship is awful; it limits me too much if I have to write detailed notes on slides. Plus, I can include multimedia, graphs, and images, making the content more engaging and informative.”
Another advantage of PPS is its post-class availability. 'Post-Class Availability' - this refers to the ease with which professors can distribute their presentations electronically. Jai, a professor at a technological university, says, “It's great because shortly after class, the entire presentation can be made available to students via a website for download. This accommodates students who may have missed parts of the lecture and allows them to review the material at their own pace.”
Whiteboard Writing:
However, many educators prefer the interactive and personal touch of writing on a whiteboard. Alex, a biology professor at a research institution, recalls, “Back in the day of physical slides, I traveled to UC Berkeley for a lecture but forgot my slides at home. It was a fortunate mistake because we ended up using the big hall with blackboards all around the perimeter. I started in one corner and drew my equations, models, and results as I moved around. It was one of the best lectures I ever gave because it was engaging and easy to point back to earlier slides to better explain later concepts.”
Using whiteboards also allows for spontaneous and interactive teaching. Linda, a history professor, adds, “Moving around the classroom while writing on the board keeps me engaged and helps me connect better with the students. I can point to specific examples, highlight key concepts, and encourage discussions on the fly. Students have to stay alert because I'm not reading from a script. It's a fantastic way to keep the class dynamic and active.”
Hybrid Approach:
The most effective approach often involves a hybrid method that combines the best of both worlds. Both PPS and whiteboard writing can be used to reinforce each other. For example, Joe, a mathematics professor, uses PPS to introduce and summarize concepts, while he writes on the board to provide deeper explanations and examples. “I use PPS to introduce the topic, give an overview, and show graphs and multimedia elements. Then, I step away from the screen and write on the board to delve into the technical details, demonstrate examples, and engage with the students. This combination keeps the class interesting and helps reinforce the material,” he explains.
Ultimately, the choice between PowerPoint slides and whiteboard writing depends on the professor's teaching style, the subject matter, and the students' learning preferences. Many professors find that a combination of these methods is the most effective. Educational technology should be seen as a tool to enhance, not replace, a well-crafted lecture hall presentation.