PowerPoint for Power Lessons

Say what you will about Microsoft, they have created a pretty nice way to present information digitally in PowerPoint. It's neat, versatile, highly compatible, and simple to use.

In fact, it may be too simple. Many instructors (more at the higher education level than in K - 12) use it ad infinitum. Sometimes we get tired of watching PP presentations.

I am of the belief that teachers should use those tools that are simplest and most effeicient. Efficiency is a tricky thing to measure, though. One must take into account how much information he is trying to convey versus how much is actually being learned. Instructors too often fall into the trap of thinking that, since they presented material, they taught it.

Teaching only happens when someone is learning. Students don't learn much by watching boring PP presentations. There are plenty of bells and whistles in PP to allow any teacher to make any topic engaging.