I have recently within the last year started performing my lectures without using the powerpoints we are given. I feel that the power points hamper my ability to deliver the subject matter at times due to the way it was organized, since I was not the one who organized it. I have been performing these using lecture, hand written notes on the board, tree diagrams, visual aids, tangible physical parts and pieces. I started using the power point more as a way to summarize everthing i talked and discussed with the students during the lecture, rather than as a crutch for teaching by. Don't misunderstand though powerpoints can be a valuable tool, but they are just a tool. This method use took me about a year and a half of teaching with it to get it to the point that I feel is better than trying to follow a scripted powerpoint. It requires a whole lot of lesson planning that I had to review and revise almost every 3 week phase to ensure that I was maximizing my effectiveness. I still don't believe I am done with it. Teaching, just like learning is an ongoing process. Preparation is a key factor to everything. I have torn up, thrown away more note pads and 3x5 cards with things that didn't work as planned or as well as i had hoped than i'd care to admit. The point being no matter what make sure that you actually have a plan, that plan is your "parachute".