Powerpoint

PowerPoint is a presentation software program that uses a graphical approach to presentations in the form of slide shows. Their main purpose is to communicate effectively with a maximum impact in a small amount of time. In the classroom this equates to informing with clarity and understanding and to persuade the students to take action. If used right, a PowerPoint presentation can:
• Amplify your message
• Accelerate information absorption
• Assist comprehension and hence faster decision making
When used well they can increase the engagement of students. Initially, the LM needs to incorporate the prior knowledge of the learner and appropriate complexity of content and interests of learners. A well-constructed interactive presentation has the ability to deepen student knowledge and understanding by presenting the central ideas to a topic and then linking relatively complex connections to those ideas or concepts. This form of multi-modal learning is becoming more desired for the 21st century learner.
Cisco (2008) notes that research indicates that students make substantial learning gains with the use of visual and verbal multi-modal learning. Students are more engaged in learning activities that incorporate multi-modal designs, and on average out perform students who learn using traditional approaches with single modes.

Cisco. (2008). Multimodal learning through media: What the research says.
Retrieved August 14, from http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/docs/education/Multimodal-Learning-Through-Media.pdf