“We don’t eat cake with a hammer and we don’t play volleyball with a knife.”
–Jens Kjeldsen
I love this quote because it summarizes part of the author’s argument quite succinctly -that technologies reflect ideologies. However, I still think his other point –that technology is a tool to be used to complement entertaining and enlightening instruction –is even more valuable.
Overall, I think Jens Kjeldsen’s article “The Rhetoric of Power Point” is a very important critique of how teachers may fail to realize that Power Point can stifle the creativity and clarity of their instruction. I had a few thoughts and questions regarding media rhetoracy. I wondered if novice instructors can follow such advice if their teacher training programs offer little critical guidance on how to use PP to their advantage. At many universities, this is often the situation because there are simply too many other areas to cover and, as a result, this point is sometimes overlooked. I find that newer teachers can feel compelled to incorporate technology into their instruction without being prompted to really critique the role of PP or other software in their work.
Though the article offers much needed food for thought, I also wondered what resources the author would suggest instructors use to find examples of the higher quality presentations he has described.
-I have emailed him and I am hopeful that he will respond.
3 responses so far ↓
1
nah17
// Feb 12, 2007 at 11:12 pm
After reading and reflecting on your post, I too wondered about other possible resources instructors could use for presentations. The article was creatively critical of PowerPoint which is a dominant tool so many use due to accessibilty and ease of use. However, I tend to wonder, if people did not use Power Point what is another dominant method which might be used? Nevertheless, as the quote you stated described, to get certain things accomplished we wouldn’t use methods that would not be benefical or complete the job. We would choose the best method possible and at times, Power Point may just not be that method.
2
omer
// Feb 13, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Hi Lori,
I have seen some “bad’ examples of PP presentations from some good teachers. I think there is a way of using it as a tool to improve instruction or learning, which the author defines as “rhetoracy”. It is not making the material more appealing per se–although there is room and facility for that through PP–but using it to the most effective degree usually within the structure that PP provides and sometimes by stepping out of the limits it imposes. I took author’s main argument as evidence of the inconsistency of most of media technology with human cognition, just as Richard Mayer would have us believe.
3
nah17
// Feb 19, 2007 at 10:44 pm
You had some insightful thoughts regarding the article. I definitely agree with the quote you pulled in regards to the utilization of Power Point. The author did do a thorough job of clarifying his stance on Power Point use. It is true that Power Point may be used for the wrong purposes some times, thus causing an ineffective presentation. I would also have to agree with you on the question of what other technology could be suggested to replace the use of Power Point. That is great that you emailed the author and I hope you hear from him soon.
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