Presentations

Whether learners use keynote on apple devices, google slides or PowerPoint, being able to share the device’s screen simplifies the process of transferring the presentation slides from the learners’ device to the projector/screen quicker and easier.

I used Apple TV at the British Council Vietnam, which is straightforward as long as the devices are connected to the same network.

screen mirroringCast your iDevice to Apple TV from the control menu. If it’s the first time that device is being used to mirror the screen, you will be shown a code and your device will ask you to enter it before it will work. Only one device can be mirrored at any given time and a new device that connects to the Apple TV to mirror their screen will disconnect the current device. Be warned that your learners will probably find this out and use it for maximum disruption.

If you are providing devices for learners to use then it is recommended that they leave devices with you while presentations are going on lest they be tempted to continue preparing their slides rather than enjoy their classmates’ presentation.

Benefits of screen mirroring is that learners practise their presentations with the phone or tablet and that will be how they will perform to the class later. There is also the removal of the filesharing problem and learners needing access to the classroom computer.

Downsides of mirroring is the quality of your wifi network and idiosyncracies of the access points used in your institution. The iPads I have used have connected to the wrong network and refuse to connect to the required network and the whole exercise was reduced to small slides shown from the iPads the learners were using.

Creating Slides

Young learners in Japan, Korea and Vietnam place much stock in images for their presentations, so it would be prudent to limit the number their slides can contain otherwise you might find that your learners have beautiful slides but nothing to say about them.

Technology is new and exciting in the classroom, and learners will probably treat them differently to their pens and notebooks (also technology). It might be a good idea to get your learners to create their presentation notes along with ideas of what images and information they need for their slides before they get their devices out and start creating. Your learners may have good memories but they still need to organise those thoughts into a cohesive presentation.

With group presentations, it will be difficult to avoid learners dominating the devices and have idle members. My preference is to give a time limit for each member of the group before handing over duties to someone else. It’s a bit arbitrary but resolves the issue of lack of sharing and skills development.

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