Powerpoint is Evil - Assignment Example

Technology in Learning After reading the article and listening to the NPR program, it is clear that the use of technology and specifically PowerPoint in this case, is completely misunderstood by some. In his article, Edward Tufte argues that PowerPoint is destructive since it mainly focuses on stylish presentation as opposed to the quality of the content. On the contrary, the use of technology should be seen in the same way as the use of books where the quality of content is based on the author and not the technology itself.

In the NPR program, one of the scholars notes that PowerPoint is an open ended creativity tool, and this means that it is like a blank sheet of paper on which content can be written. PowerPoint, just like any other piece of technology, helps enhance learning and how students relate with their teachers and interact with content. Teacher-centered uses of technology are not as effective as student-centered ones. Student centered technology allows students to be more creative and view content in new ways.

For example, in the NPR program, one of the teachers notes that PowerPoint has enabled her students to retell the story in new perspectives. With teacher-centered technology, the teacher is still in charge of learning, and this does not really change it from the traditional teacher-centric classroom. One of the most important aspects of the student-centered uses of technology is that it allows the learner to organize his activities, thereby making the student responsible for his own learning.

PowerPoint, for instance, can help students organize their information in new and exciting ways that are appreciated by both the student himself and the teacher. Through student-centered technology, learners will be in a position to build connections with the various materials that have been covered in class. As noted in the NPR program for instance, PowerPoint allows students to bring together information from a variety of sources. Student-centered use of technology is thus revolutionary.