Active learning with Google presentations

Abstract

Active learning requires students to engage with the course content by discussing with others, applying prior knowledge, and making connections between new ideas, knowledge, and their own experiences [1]. Many college instructors use PowerPoint and deliver course materials in a lecture format, making active learning less likely. One way to incorporate active learning in a college classroom is to use Google presentations. Google presentations are a part of Google docs, a web-based office suite that can be edited by multiple people from any location with Internet access. Google docs include documents similar to Word, spreadsheets similar to Excel, and presentations similar to PowerPoint. Google docs do not have all the functionality of Microsoft Office products but have basic features. Students in our Management Information Systems (MIS) interact with the course material by creating Google presentations in teams.