________________Classroom Instruction Best Practices_________________
A. Lecturing
I.
II.
III.
Lecture organization, capturing and maintaining student attention, interactivity and
delivery:
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/instructionalstrategies/lectures.h
tml
Improving lecturing: http://www.faculty.londondeanery.ac.uk/otherresources/other-resources/files/BJHM_466_469_CTME_lecture.pdf
Lecturing for deep understanding and considering cognitive load:
http://clte.asu.edu/teachingtube/#deep
B. Classroom Presentation Display Technology
I.
PowerPoint Slides
 Font size - Make sure that the font size on your slides is large enough for
students in the farthest row to see clearly. To test that you’re using the
appropriate font size, go to the student desks farthest away and try to read
your PPT slide.
http://www.thinkoutsidetheslide.com/ViewingDistanceTable.pdf
 Font choice - Use san serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, Calibri, etc.)
http://www.symplebyte.com/general_usage/fonts/serif_or_sans-serif.html
 Font color - Ensure that there is sufficient contrast between your background
color and the font color (i.e. use white, light gray or beige background and
dark blue or black font). Using a basic white background and dark blue or
black text will also help ensure students with color blindness can read
effectively. According to WebMD, color blindness affects 1 out of every 10
males, but is rare in females.
http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1177053/What-causes-color-blindness
 Slide content – Avoid including entire paragraphs on a slide
 Slide organization - Limit the main points on your slide to 3 items
II.
Document Camera
 Paper type - Use pastel colored paper as this transmits a better picture (e.g.,
light blue)
 Paper type - Ensure that the paper doesn’t have a shine as this will make it
difficult to view
 Transparency use - For graphics on acetate sheet (i.e. transparencies), turn
off the overhead lamp on the document camera and use the base lamp
instead (Note: It’s probably preferable to copy your transparencies onto
pastel colored paper).
 Annotation - Print, rather than write cursively.
 Text size - Write large enough so that all your students can see (To test
whether the printing is large enough by simply dropping the paper on the
floor – if the printing or type can still be read, it’s large enough to be seen on
the monitor).
 Use sharpie - Write with a sharpie marker, as opposed to a ballpoint pen for
greater legibility.
 Contrast - Ensure that there is adequate contrast between the writing
implement and the paper you use.
http://www.utas.edu.au/tl/prof‐dev/docs/pdfs_videoconferencing/use_docum
ent_camera.pdf
C. Crestron Controller (Crestron control units are found in the following MCCC classrooms:
CLRC second floor, C8, Whitman 2)
I.
Using the Crestron controller
Step 1 ‐ If Crestron screen is blank, touch the screen to activate
Step 2 ‐ Click the “On” button under “System Power” to turn on the data
projector
Step 3 – Turn computer on (i.e., click power button on PC tower)
 Step 4 ‐ Click on the appropriate output you wish displayed on the screen
(e.g., computer, document camera, DVD, VHS, laptop, etc.)
II.
DVD – VCR controls
 Step 1 – Click either the DVD or VHS output button on the Crestron screen
 Step 2 – Place DVD or VHS tape into the appropriate slot (DVD and VCR on
lower right or left of desk)
 Step 3 – Use the device controls (i.e., Play, Rewind, Fast‐forward, etc.) on
the Crestron screen
III.
Document Camera
 Step 1 – Click and hold down the “On” button until the document camera
lights turn on
 Step 2 – Choose “Doc Cam” on Crestron screen
 Step 3 – Place the item you intend to display on the document camera base
and use the controls to adjust the picture (see below):
Mir (Reverse the image)
Frz (Freeze the image)
Neg (Display film negatives)
Title (Freeze the top 1/8 of the screen)
D./S. (Switch between static mode and dynamic
mode)
Far/Near (Focus far or near)
Split (Image Split function)
Ppw (Control the projector On/Standby)
Pin (Projector input signal selection)
(Move the image up/down)
CCD/PC1/PC2 (CCD/RGB input signal selection)
S-VIDEO /VIDEO (Video input signal selection)
LAMP (Control the arm lights and back light)
AUTO (To auto adjust white balance and auto focus)
+T/W (Increase and decrease the magnification)
IV.
Starboard Monitor
The Starboard monitor allows instructors to annotate on any document being
displayed on the monitor, as well as saving and exporting all the annotated
documents for future use.
 Step 1: double‐click the StarBoard Software icon on the Desktop or Select
the “Start” button on the Desktop (lower left) → click “Programs” → click
“StarBoard Software” → click “Starboard program”.
 Step 2: To annotate using the Starboard stylus (see back of monitor) or
computer mouse click “Pen”. To use the Starboard stylus on the computer
click “PC” (see image below).
Click this tool to use
the stylus to navigate
Click this tool to annotate on
the desktop or on other
applications, such as MS Word,
Excel, PPT, etc.
Here is a link to more Starboard support information, such as help guides,
demos and tutorials:
http://www.hitachisolutionsus.com/starboard/training/software_tutorials.shtml
** Please turn off all equipment (i.e. computer, document camera, etc.) after you’re
finished.