Posted on 04/04/2007 6:50:36 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Research points the finger at PowerPoint
University of NSW research shows the human brain processes and retains more information if it is digested in either its verbal or written form, but not both at the same time.
Photo: Andrew Meares
Anna Patty Education Editor
April 4, 2007
If you have ever wondered why your eyes start glazing over as you read those dot points on the screen, as the same words are being spoken, take heart in knowing there is a scientific explanation.
It is more difficult to process information if it is coming at you in the written and spoken form at the same time.
The Australian researchers who made the findings may have pronounced the death of the PowerPoint presentation.
They have also challenged popular teaching methods, suggesting that teachers should focus more on giving students the answers, instead of asking them to solve problems on their own.
Pioneered at the University of NSW, the research shows the human brain processes and retains more information if it is digested in either its verbal or written form, but not both at the same time.
It also questions the wisdom of centuries-old habits, such as reading along with Bible passages, at the same time they are being read aloud in church. More of the passages would be understood and retained, the researchers suggest, if heard or read separately.
The findings show there are limits on the brain's capacity to process and retain information in short-term memory.
John Sweller, from the university's faculty of education, developed the "cognitive load theory".
"The use of the PowerPoint presentation has been a disaster," Professor Sweller said. "It should be ditched."
"It is effective to speak to a diagram, because it presents information in a different form. But it is not effective to speak the same words that are written, because it is putting too much load on the mind and decreases your ability to understand what is being presented."
The findings that challenge common teaching methods suggest that instead of asking students to solve problems on their own, teachers helped students more if they presented already solved problems.
"Looking at an already solved problem reduces the working memory load and allows you to learn. It means the next time you come across a problem like that, you have a better chance at solving it," Professor Sweller said.
The working memory was only effective in juggling two or three tasks at the same time, retaining them for a few seconds. When too many mental tasks were taken on some things were forgotten.
cognitive load theory = another name for the long-understood CRS syndrome
I’ve found that I get a lot out of a very wordy PP presentation when I’ve downloaded and reviewed it myself.
Many people write a full paper instead of a simple outline when they do a PP ... This can be good.
However, it is true that when such is being presented, the speaker can cause information overload and confusion while I’m trying to spend time figuring out the last slide that I would have liked to hear more about.
WRONG! Well, at least for me. I come away with a much better understanding when I work something through, as opposed to someone just telling me.
I seem to regularly get .pps files from people that are quite ummm, interesting. Nothing but pictures. Come on guys, I KNOW I’m not the only one that sees this great use of powerpoint all the time :)
I had a revelation about this when I saw Ran in the 1980’s. It’s sort of a telling of Lear with a feudal Japan backdrop. Anyway, the movie is so good, after I watched it I forgot it was subtitled at all.
Dull movies or even over-rated movies, I notice the subtitles.
Since I learned to read, I’ve hated being read to.
And let’s face it, that’s what PowerPoint encourages the presenter to do.
There’s also (for me, at least) the knowledge that I could read what the guy’s reading to me a LOT faster than he can read it. That irks me as well.
I was wondering why we remember movies so well?
It just means they have
a skillful secretary.
(I have never seen
an executive
who made up his or her own
presentation slides!)
Note to professors:
Have more lectures where young girls
get hacked by slashers . . .
Now that I have read your home page I understand the logic of your reply. I just thought it interesting that I remember so much of a movie, being a visual learner, but do not remember powerpoints. And I am in college at this time. I will admit, too, that I have never watched a slasher movie. Do not want those images seared into my brain. Maybe its because we do not think of words on a screen as a picture, right brain process, but use the left side, the language side to do the reading AND listening at the same time during the PPT presentation. Like trying to listen to 2 people at the same time. :-) Just wondering.
Some of those movies
have a religious subtext
that's quite intriguing . . .
Movie Subliminals -- The Rate of God (Accident? Purposeful?)
Ha ha ha!!!
Somehow I doubt it, but heck you never know.
Luckily, I’ve served with most of these people for over 20 years, from the time they were LTs or Captains, so I was pretty comfortable with them anyway.
It would be a funny sight, though.
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