Using the WWWriters' PLACE as a multimedia
resource for classroom presentations.
It is becoming
increasingly common to find oneself teaching in a smart classroom equipped
with a computer system offering Internet access and projection to a large
screen for class viewing. The WWWriters' PLACE is especially well-suited
for this kind of teaching environment. It is easy to access the site on
the Internet and project it in front of the class. Then, as the class discusses
writing, reading, and thinking, the students can see the material on the
screen at the same time. The class can also follow links from the WWWriters'
PLACE to other sites on the 'Net.
This becomes even more effective when the teacher opens a word processing
window along with the Internet browser. Then the students and teacher
can work together as a group, moving from the instructions at the WWWriters'
PLACE to demonstration and application in the word processor. Or, with
permission in advance, the teacher can open students' electronic files
and respond to them with the class.
Currently there are PowerPoint presentations attached to many
of the pages here at the WWWriters' PLACE. As bandwidth increases
and downloading time becomes less of an issue, these PowerPoint slides
will be replaced by streaming audio-video presentations. The site is designed
and maintained to support the minimum level of technology our students
are now using. It is totally revised and updated every summer.
There are two additional advantages the site offers as a presentation
software. First, by adding a strong visual element to classroom presentation,
the site helps meet the needs of many hearing impaired students.
Visually impaired students can use their computers to enlarge the
font and improve readability. Second, since the site is designed for online
as well as onsite courses, absent students can be directed to the
appropriate hyperlink(s) to do make-up work.
