Media

  • overhead projector
    • instructor faces the class
    • considered old-fashioned, low-tech
    • projector is heavy to carry but portable
    • standard equipment in classrooms
    • foils are heavy to carry around
    • foils get out of order
    • your writing on them must be washed
    • needn't dim lights
    • easily produced
    • you can write and draw on them, and use color
    • presentation sequence is not fixed
    • border notes can be added
    • points can be emphasized
    • can be overlaid
  • 35mm slides
    • attractive
    • easy to present (esp. with remote control)
    • relatively inexpensive
    • portable
    • easily reproduced
    • can use front or rear projection
    • requires adherence to fixed sequence
    • must dim lights
    • can't write on them or visually emphasize points
  • video tape
    • can convey much
    • expensive to produce
    • less standard (esp. European formats)
    • small screen
    • hard to stay awake
  • audio tape
    • irreplaceable for certain kinds of info
    • especially good for customer interaction training
  • whiteboard
    • must turn your back
    • easily erased, edited
    • delay while you write
    • handwriting matters
  • flipchart
    • can track the main points
    • can grow and give a sense of progress
    • can be referred-to
    • can be used as a recording mechanism
    • the giant Post-It kind is especially useful
    • after class, retains discussion points
  • computer projector
    • heavy to carry but portable
    • the fan is obnoxious
    • becoming standard equipment in corporate classrooms
    • easy to prepare, edit, update, e.g. with Powerpoint
    • lots to go wrong
    • perceived as high tech
    • great for demos
    • must dim lights
    • limited interaction/emphasis possible
    • can highlight text with mouse, sometimes
    • draw-on-it software is available
  • the web
    • ubiquitous
    • requires computer- and internet-equipped classroom
    • lots to go wrong
    • easily produced and maintained
    • can generate (ugly) printed workbooks
    • the paperless classroom
    • everyone knows how to use a browser
  • printed workbooks
    • students get something tangible
    • an easy way to welcome people to your classroom: hand them a workbook
    • conveys an image, a corporate look-and-feel for what you're delivering
    • margins to take notes in
  • text books
    • expensive
    • conveys a sense of quality, value
    • associates your message with industry pundits
    • additional effort for course developers to reference chapter and page numbers
    • references must be maintained as new editions are printed
    • more to carry (books are heavy)
Dan Keller © 1999