Hi Craig:
It sounds like you've found an effective method to reaching your students, with or without PPT. I think there's a way to use PPT without it dominating the students attention and too many instructors either rely on it too much, over use it, or deliver poorly designed slides. Darn, it's hard to have too much PPT all at one time!
Anyway, good that you've weaned yourself away from too much PPT.
Regards, Barry