Is PowerPoint Evil?

Read "PowerPoint is Evil" by Edward Tufte
Listen to a NPR story about PowerPoint in the classroom.
Read "The Power of PowerPoint" by Victoria Brown.

After reading the article “PowerPoint Is Evil” and listening to the NPR recording, I get the sense that those against PowerPoint are not so much opposed to its use, but opposed to the way in which many teachers are using it.  There is a consensus that it has some educational value, whether it be for teacher presentations or helping struggling students organize thoughts.

However, I do see Tufte’s point.  The elevation of format over content and turning a school lesson into a sales pitch is a problem.  This is so easy to do with PowerPoint, even if you are consciously trying to avoid it.  Also, the comments that students need to learn how to read, write with full sentences and hold complex conversations are all solid arguments. It seems that PowerPoint, as it is typically used, is not supportive of these skills.

In “The Power of PowerPoint”, Brown lists Tufte’s disapprovals: 1) the use of bulleted text or lists, 2) the overreliance on templates and ready-made graphics, 3) the linear format, and 4) limited space for textual information.  She then provides interesting evidence and examples of how PowerPoint, if used correctly, can overcome these obstacles and how it can be used to meet learners’ individual needs.  For example, Brown points out that despite the overreliance on templates and graphics “PowerPoint does not dictate the content on the slides” (p. 232).  Also, teachers can use “Speaker Notes” to increase audience participation or use the “hide” and “reveal” features to guide students’ individual learning or provide additional practice as needed.

The debate on how technology affects learning is an interesting one.  I do see the problem with the program but also think that experienced and knowledgeable teachers can avoid them.