PowerPoint as a tool for
developing the digital
competence in physics class
Marko Gosak1,2, Jerneja Pavlin3
1Faculty
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor
2Faculty of Education, University of Maribor
3Facutly of Education, Univesity of Ljubljana
marko.gosak@uni-mb.si
Natural science subjects – a
gateway for the development of
the key and generic competences
Digital competence
Involves the use of computer and other
information communication technology tools
Numerous possibilities to
promote the digital competence
during science subjects
Computer as a tool for
presenting results and
new findings
Computer
supported
laboratory work
Internet as a source of
new information
Web textbooks, applets
and many other
applications…
Representative educational materials
for physics lessons
1. ELECTRIC CIRCUITS:
• primary school physics,
• group experimental work,
• each group present their new
findings with a PowerPoint
presentation.
2. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN THE
ATMOSPHERE:
• secondary school physics,
• text- and web-based learning in
groups,
• each group present their new
findings with a PowerPoint
presentation.
DIGITAL COMPETENCE interconnected with:
Ability to work with others in groups, ability of organizing and planning of
the work, verbal and oral communication, ability of collecting data and
selection of data…
1. Electric circuits
Each group receives a different worksheet with instructions for
experimental work
Characteristic worksheet:
1. Electric circuits
MAIN IDEA – pupils are required to create PowerPoint
presentations with their results and new findings and present
them afterwards to their schoolfellows.
The teacher gives first instructions on using PowerPoint effectively.
Characteristic slides from the exemplary PowerPoint presentation:
1. Electric circuits – materials in school
practice
Some slides made by pupils:
Poskus 1

Potrebščine:

Napetostni vir (6V)

3 enake žarnice

Električne žice
Ugotovitve:
Vedno več žarnic je priključenih čim slabše svetijo žarnice.
Ta vezava je zaporedna.
Če eno od žarnic odviješ vse ugasnejo.
Slika 2
I2=0,39 A
U2=6,0 V
1. Electric circuits – materials in school
practice
Evaluation of the materials
Instruments:
- pre-questionnaire and a questionnaire,
- teacher’s observations and comments.
Sample:
- 90 pupils from three different primary schools,
- predominantly rural population,
- mixed socioeconomic status.
1. Electric circuits – materials in
school practice
Some results from the pre- and post- questionnaire:
1. Electric circuits – materials in
school practice
Some observations from the pre- and post- questionnaire:
- 52 % of pupils knew that the appropriate number of indents is till 9,
- 53 % of pupils have learned something new,
- new learned things were linked to the editing of the figures and tables,
general knowledge about the contents of the presentation…
Some observations from the teachers:
- 80 % of pupils took into account all the suggestions for designing the
slides,
- the oral presentations were successfully carried out by 60 % of pupils,
- problems were not a consequence of the lack of knowledge but lack
of experiences with the oral presentations.
2. Optical phenomena in the atmosphere
Each group receives a worksheet on a different subject.
Link to additional
graphical materials.
Links to web pages
where additional
information can be
gathered.
Instructions on how to
find useful information
via web browsers.
MAIN IDEA – pupils are required to create PowerPoint presentations with
their new findings and present them afterwards to their schoolfellows.
2. Optical phenomena in the atmosphere
Colours of the sky and of the Sun:
Sonce
aerosol
molekula
zraka
opazovalec
2. Optical phenomena in the atmosphere
The rainbow:
Refractions in the air:
sončna
svetloba
odbita
svetloba
sliko predmeta
vidimo obrnjeno in
pod predmetom
2. Optical phenomena in the atmosphere
Halos:
Aureola and glory:
22°
22°
2. Optical phenomena in the atmosphere –
materials in school practice
Evaluation of the materials
Instruments:
- pre-questionnaire and a questionnaire,
- teacher’s observations and comments.
Sample:
120 students from five
different secondary schools.
Results:
- students are quite well acquainted with PowerPoint,
- progress has been noticed by designing proper slides (font size,
bold fonts etc.),
- students prefer a lot of special effects and animations.
Teachers report:
- students had difficulties by their oral presentations due to lack
of experiences.
Conclusion
NATIONAL PROJECT: “Development of
Natural Science Competences”
MATERIALS: Electric circuits, Optical
phenomena in the atmosphere
POWERPOINT IN
THE CLASSROOM:
Designing new
educational materials.
Fostering the
development of the
digital competence and
several others as well.
Students:
• like to handle with PP,
• are quite familiar with PP,
• lack of expertise on more advanced
handling with PowerPoint,
• lack on experience with oral presentations.
Thank you for your
attention!