I’ve analyzed the student survey results from the PowerPoint module.  I can’t give specific figures but over 80% agree or strongly agree that their presentation skills have improved as a result of the module.  The same percentage also agree or strongly agree that they would recommend the class to a friend.

A surprise is that many students were not as enthusiastic about Atkinson’s Beyond Bullet Points method as I was.  Hopefully, it’s more the way I presented it than the method itself.  I also was surprised by the relatively low approval of the culminating presentation.  In reviewing the assignment, I may have not been clear on the expectations (this was also evidenced by the number of questions by the students).

In summary, the basic structure and lectures worked but I need to make the assignments more specific in terms of what I expect.  I will also do a better job in explaining Atkinson’s method.  I am really pleased at how well the students did in their final presentations and I am glad that I did my small part in helping to create better PowerPoint presenters.

Enjoy:  http://www.uvsc.edu/disted/cheat/flv_player.html

In February 2008, I will be presenting on personal knowledge management for part-time faculty.  I focus on part-time faculty because of their unique information needs.  Most PTFs have to juggle several  classes or a day-job and a class so they are constantly trying to catch up on assignments and grading.  Thus, the more help they can receive in managing information, the better.  Plus, their tools need to be sophisticated enough to help PTFs in making sense of information such as attendance records, graded assignments, and scheduling finals.

A lot has changed since I presented on this topic over a year ago.  That is the nature of the Internet and the tools that I advocated for PKM.  It will be exciting to revisit this topic again.  If any of you have any suggestions, please email me.  Thanks.