A Research Note Assessing the Benefit of Presentation Software in Two Different Lecture Courses

Abstract

Teaching Sociology recently published several articles dealing with the use of computer-assisted pedagogical techniques. Many authors assess the effectiveness of specific computer-assisted instruction (CAI) forms by examining either student performance

The impact of slide-construction in PowerPoint: Student performance and preferences in an upper-level human development course.

“…Although students have a high regard for classes using PowerPoint as a lecture tool (Blokzijl & Naeff, 2004; Frey & Birnbaum, 2002; Smith & Woody, 2000; Szabo & Hastings, 2000) and student performance may be impacted positively (Kunkel, 2004; Szabo & Hastings, 2000), it is important to consider the potential drawbacks of constructing slides. For example, on one hand, the software may lead presenters to simplify content, creating bulleted lists and simple graphs (Mackiewicz, 2008).…”

“…Although student perceptions of PowerPoint are quite positive, actual student performance and achievement data are not as clear. For example, Kunkel (2004) and Szabo and Hastings (2000) found that students in classes that utilize PowerPoint get better grades on exams as compared with students in classes without PowerPoint. However, other researchers found no differences in student performance comparing classes with PowerPoint slides and those without such slides (Apperson et al, 2006; Bartsch & Cobern, 2003; Beets & Lobingier, 2001; DeBord, Aruguete, & Muhlig, 2004; Ricer, Filak, & Short, 2005; Smith & Woody, 2000; Susskind, 2005; Szabo & Hastings, 2000).…”

“I’m Ambivalent about It”

“…Most studies have found PowerPoint to have no measurable influence on course performance and a minimal effect on grades—concluding, as Levasseur and Sawyer (2006:111) do, the technology brings “no significant change in learning outcomes when instructors augment their lectures with computer-generated slides” (see also Dietz 2002; Howard 2005; Kunkel 2004; Susskind 2005). In the studies that found an association between slide usage and higher exam scores, students were exposed to slides during lecture and were also either given printed versions of slides prior to class or were able to access slides via the Internet.…”

Empowering PowerPoint: Slides and Teaching Effectiveness

“…Tufte (2003) launched the most vehement critique, arguing that PowerPoint slides lead to over-reliance on a hierarchy of ideas, over-simplification, and linear thinking on part of the presenter and audience. In surveying classes with and without PowerPoint lectures, Cyphert (2004) and Kunkel (2004) discovered that there was no significant difference in student performance or understanding of material. Further, these studies argued that PowerPoint usage stifled pedagogical creativity and led to poorer audience engagement.…”