PowerPoint is a commonly used presentation tool. PowerPoint presentations often have a poor reputation, one that is often deserved. This week we look at the role that PowerPoint plays in the American military. You may be surprised by its ubiquitous presence. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.
The article expresses the concerns of military commanders that PowerPoint “stifles discussion, critical thinking and thoughtful decision-making.” What is your opinion about the use of PowerPoint? What should the commanders do to correct the problems that PowerPoint creates? What do you think about the amount of time that is spent in the military making PowerPoint slides? How should the military use PowerPoint? What should be done to make PowerPoint presentations more interesting? What do you think about the practice of using PowerPoint for “hypnotizing chickens?”
PowerPoint Article
20 comments:
I also believe that PowerPoint “stifles discussion, critical thinking and thoughtful decision-making”, however it is very useful, and in the broader view it is not as bad as they portrayed it to be. To correct the problems that PowerPoint makes, commanders should make the slides contain only the main ideas. Also, there shouldn’t be a lot of slides, since making them is time consuming. I thought that spending an hour a day making a PowerPoint presentation way too much. The military should use PowerPoint to get across their main ideas and as a starter to a discussion. The rest of the ideas that are not on the PowerPoint should be either spoken by the presenter or handed out in an extra paper. PowerPoint presentations should contain maps, pictures, visuals, graphs, and videos as well as text. Also they should be short and to the point. I think that the practice of using PowerPoint to “hypnotize chicken” is true because people start to feel sleepy during these very long presentations.
In military terms I would say that while a PowerPoint can and almost invariably does take a while to produce it can be very useful and remarkably flexible for everything from briefings on the duties of that day to battle strategy that will be implemented in a particular area of invasion. I would say that if the commands and the officer core find this program unsatisfactory then they should commission Microsoft to create a new program of presentation that is designed for use only be the military. But should this fail then the commanders and officer core should just learn to become more proficient on PowerPoint and also learn to work around its perceived shortcomings. I would say that while this amount of time spent on one thing might very well be an exaggeration of the amount of time that could or rather should go into something like this then the military should learn to use its time better much like my parents are attempting in my mind failing to teach my brother to do this very same thing. The military should use PowerPoint only when they have no other means of briefing or some other use of this program. Another would be that only those who have the time and inclination to use this program should do so. In particular those members of the military that deal the planning, strategy and tactics of the military. There are many things that could be done to make PowerPoint more interesting. For example the number and variety of backgrounds should be expanded a little bit and also I think that Microsoft should consider installing a program whereby the presentation can read it self in the voice of the one of the commanders or higher military personnel.
My opinion on PowerPoint is that it is a helpful way to make your presentations go smoother and easier. I think though that a person should not always use it for everything because at times, it stifles discussions. I think what the commanders should do to correct the problems that PowerPoint creates is to make people limit the usage of PowerPoint. I think that the amount of time the commanders do to correct the problems that PowerPoint creates is unbelievable. They should limit the time because that is just unbelievable! I think that the military should use PowerPoint only in times where there are no alternatives because probably all of the commanders are bored out of their minds from PowerPoint. What should be done to make PowerPoint presentations more interesting is that they should include transitions between each slide, include some sound effects, include some fun images and to just not make it so serious. I think about the practice of using PowerPoint for “hypnotizing chickens” is really creepy, but at the same time, I find it to be so shocking and amazing. It is unbelievable!
-Abdo Malhas
Aliyah Said...
I think the PowerPoint is a good way for presentations and is easier, also very useful. For the commanders to correct the problems they should limit some on the information that is contained on the PowerPoint so it wouldn’t take hours which is mention in the article to create the presentation. For the time spent on these PowerPoint slides is helpful but shouldn’t take hours to make. I think the military should only focus on main topics rather than going into detail in every slide, this cuts down the time spent. I believe that the presentation should contain picture, videos, and any other type of multimedia devices that could be added this would make the presentations more interesting. Hypnotizing chickens is a horrible practice 25 minutes and 5 minutes for questions if anyone is still up is awful I think they should change their hypnotizing chickens practice.
I believe that PowerPoint is a useful tool for creating presentations that are comprehensive and informative. Commanders should just put the main idea of the slide to correct the “problems” that PowerPoint creates, although I don’t think it creates any problems. A lot of time has been spent in the military making PowerPoints, but it is time well spent. The military should use PowerPoint for advertising, as well as pumping up and/or educating troops. They should add more moving things, and maybe a video or two to increase PowerPoint’s interest, specifically because people who join the army are very active, and need these things. I think that the “hypnotizing chickens” method is smart, but terrible, as it allows the presentation-giver to dodge questions, but it doesn’t get their message across well.
My opinion of PowerPoint is that it is good. It is an easy and efficient way to get information across. The use of PowerPoint makes everything a lot easier. However it does “stifles discussion, critical thinking and thoughtful decision-making.” Therefore, I think that commanders should limit their presentation to just having main point because this can correct the problems that Power Point creates. I think the amount of time the military spends on PowerPoint is crazy however, the military is serious business therefore, and it requires a lot of time. The Military should just use PowerPoint to announce main points not have lengthy presentation. I think to make PowerPoint more interesting is to have it be interactive. I think that the practice of using PowerPoint for “hypnotizing chickens” is true because people can get bored.
My opinion of the PowerPoint is a benefical tool for creating presentations. To correct the problems that the PowerPoint cretes, the commanders should limit the usage of PowerPoint. I think the amount of time spent in the military making PowerPoint slides is not wasted and bring many merits. The military should use those PowerPoint to give out the main things that are needed to be said, instead of giving a lengthy and dragging presentation. In order to make the PowerPoint more interesting, there should many visual imageries such as a video or a diagram. The "hypnotizing chickens" method used in the PowerPoint is not an effective way to pass on information to others.
I believe that the power point presentation is very useful in creating presentations to inform people in the better way possible. I think that the commanders should have a written plan of the slide to solve problems that power point creates. I think it is a lot of time spent on the military power point slide but it was a successful try. I think that military should use power point to teach soldiers about wars and the ways of fighting. To make the power point presentation more interesting, the creator should add pictures to explain the text. I think that the “hypnotizing chickens” method is smart, but not that good, as it allows the presentation-giver to dodge questions, but it doesn’t get their message across in the best way.
Generally, I think PowerPoint is a very useful tool for creating presentations in every kind. It can also help to explain important discussions. I think the commanders should just make one powerpoint slide more overviewable, which means that they should not make a spaghetti graph, but spread the information on several slides. To that I would somehow protect the powerpoints so that no unwanted people can see the data in the presentation. I think on one side the PowerPoints are good because the information can easily be structured. On the other things can be done far more quickly if they use different methods of sharing data. I think that they should just use more design and an easier structure to make the PowerPoints more interesting and better understandable.
I think that the use of PowerPoint is very efficient, and that the military commanders don’t know what they’re talking about. I think that commanders should make PowerPoint about main ideas only, and have fewer amounts of slides. I think that the amount of time they spend on making a slide is too much. I think that in order to make PowerPoints more interesting, they should make them less boring. I think that the use of PowerPoint to “hypnotize chickens” is true, because I find it very hard to pay attention during a PowerPoint because they can get very long and boring.
I wouldn’t say PowerPoint is that bad, I mean sometimes it's better than reading a long paper or essay; but I would think that in the military it might make the thoughtful decision making a little difficult to do. Since I haven't seen any of the PowerPoint presentations given in the military I can't accurately say what should be done, but judging and PowerPoint I would say keep it short and sweet, the shorter it is the less agonizing. I think the amount of time that is spent in the military making PowerPoint slides is beyond a waste, I would think they should be thinking about strategies to fix the problems rather than making PowerPoint presentations about the problems. I would say the only time the military should use PowerPoint would be to lay out a strategy. As I mentioned before, I think the only way to make a PowerPoint more interesting would be by keeping it short, and to the point; no rambling on about non-important issues; and trust me the longer it is the more people fall asleep . Honestly using PowerPoint for "hypnotizing chickens" might just work, because the amount of boredom a person can experience during a PowerPoint presentation is RIDICULOUS… -It's Leen :)
I think that Power-points are good and effective but if it were too uninspiring, then I would get really bored and not pay attention. The commanders could try adding customized effects like animation, flash, movie, transitions, and other catchy and original ideas. I think it is good but the time that they have is great for them to make great power-points, but it does not look like they are using the time effectively. As I said the military should come up with special custom made flash, animation, and other stuff to make the presentation catchier, and they could have an activity during the presentation to make people active and alive. They could maybe hire an expert to create the presentation effectively and powerful. As I said before animation, flash, activities, and there needs to be some kind of flow and resourceful. I think the “hypnotizing chickens" technique is weird and ineffective.
The article expresses the concerns of military commanders that PowerPoint “stifles discussion, critical thinking and thoughtful decision-making.” My opinion about the use of PowerPoint is that’s true, but at the same time it's very helpful and it's not as bad as it was described, for me. The commanders should just put the main idea of the slide to correct the problems that PowerPoint creates. About the amount of time that is spent in the military making PowerPoint slides is useful but it should take as much time. Military should use PowerPoint just for short messages points, not long boring presentations. What should be done to make PowerPoint presentations more interesting is that they should be short, have videos, maps, images, and graphs. I think about the practice of using PowerPoint for "hypnotizing chickens" is that it's true because people get bored.
-Ayaa
I think the use of the PowerPoint is extremely useful and helpful in everyday life. It’s an easier way to teach and to learn. I think that commanders should limit their presentation to just have a main point. I think the amount of time spent in the military is too much but it is useful. I think the military should use PowerPoint for short, straight to the point slides. I think PowerPoint should become interactive, that would make it a whole lot interesting. I think that the practice of using PowerPoint to “hypnotize chicken” is great since with presentations that are way too long people get tired and sort of ‘doze off’. It’s better when you have straight to the point PowerPoints. That way they are effective and don’t kill people from there boringness.
-Mayaa!
It’s an easy way of presenting your ideas
They should limit their power points to only main ideas on the slide. And less text so it wouldn’t be so confusing. Maybe they spent too much time so then they should sort of improve on their Power point skill … or just not use power point.
For short slides and nothing really important More colors and animations, that might help to catch the eye It limits the time and makes it easier to understand.
It’s an easy way of presenting your ideas
They should limit their power points to only main ideas on the slide. And less text so it wouldn’t be so confusing. Maybe they spent too much time so then they should sort of improve on their Power point skill … or just not use power point.
For short slides and nothing really important More colors and animations, that might help to catch the eye It limits the time and makes it easier to understand.
In my opinion, PowerPoint is a very useful and beneficial program, I also it isn’t that bad either. Basically it is a program to help your presentation goes easier and flawless with the help of PowerPoint. I think that the commanders should add a new function to the PowerPoint and that function would be “corrections”. By the time of every PowerPoint there should be a check button where you re-view your power point in order to not make mistake such as the person in the article. I think that spending no more than 2 hours on PowerPoint each day is enough. Because in the military you don’t need to make your power point to be all fancy and add animations and cool backgrounds, you only need to put in your main ideas. One of the new functions the PowerPoint can add to make it more interesting is to add a streaming video. While the PowerPoint, now you can put in a video and others can see it while reading the PowerPoint or a .gif file. I think that “hypnotize chicken” is true because most people start to feel bored and sleepy/tired around 5 minutes into the PowerPoint.
I think the PowerPoint will be a good tool for the training of solders. The commanders should make the power point less confusing. I think the amount of time spent cant be longer then the time taken to learn the PowerPoint. The power point doesn’t need to be attractive it’s not the armies job to look good it’s their job to protect their country.
My opinion about powerpoint is that its a useful and informative tool.To solve the problems powerpoint create, they should just stick to the main point and don't put extra information.I think that the amount of time is excessive,just too much.The military should use powerpoint to get their main message across and to start their discussions.I think that to make the powerpoint more interesting they should use colors, pictures, video whatever will keep people interested. I think the practice of powerpoint to "hypnotize chicken" is true because people can easily get bored and sleepy during these long presentations.
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