PowerPoint-Karaoke brings a breath of fresh air to the classroom – without any music. Instead of singing, students are suddenly faced with completely unfamiliar slides and have to spontaneously turn them into a presentation.
KAPOPO provides ready-made presentations at random and many other features – an uncomplicated tool for teachers that can be used immediately.
One person who has been using all these possibilities in her lessons for years is Nadine R. – teacher and school influencer alias (@Spektakulehrer). In this interview, she reveals how PowerPoint Karaoke makes students more courageous, makes teachers’ work easier, and how spontaneous presentations can turn into real learning moments.
Hello Nadine, thank you for taking the time to do this interview!
Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers: How did you become a teacher, what do you enjoy about it, and what subjects do you teach?
My name is Nadine, I have been an English teacher in Rhineland-Palatinate for over ten years and work at a vocational school where commercial training meets upper secondary education. For me, this is the perfect mix because I get to work with young people who have an incredible amount of real-life experience and, at the same time, big goals.
Becoming a teacher was never a childhood dream, but rather the result of many detours. Looking back, however, I realize that nowhere else can I be myself as much as in a classroom.
I have been an influencer since 2019. I wanted to show that teaching can be creative, humorous, and human. The name @Spektakulehrer was a spontaneous idea at the time, but it fits: school is often a spectacle, and I simply take my community along with me.
What do you pay attention to when giving a presentation, and why is practice so important?
A good presentation doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s enough for me when someone shows me: I understand what this is about, and I’ll take you on this journey with me. Clear structure, understandable language, and a little courage to leave things out.
Many people underestimate how important presentations are later in their professional lives. That’s why practice is necessary. I’ve seen so many quiet students suddenly light up when they realize they can really do it.
How does modern youth language affect presentations?
Young people today speak faster, more directly, and sometimes with incredible creativity. This naturally flows into their presentations. The trick is to harness that energy while still maintaining a professional tone. I often say: you can speak the way you are, but you need linguistic “fine-tuning” when it matters. That’s exactly what we practice.
How did you get into PowerPoint-Karaoke?
I had to fill in for a substitute teacher and urgently needed something spontaneous that didn’t look like a worksheet. Somewhere I stumbled across PowerPoint karaoke and thought: This is either brilliant or a disaster. And then it turned out to be brilliant. The students laughed, improvised, celebrated each other, and suddenly realized that they could do much more than they thought.
What makes PowerPoint-Karaoke so effective?
The mixture of surprise and joy of playing. No one can hide, but no one is exposed. It’s a safe space where uncertainty is allowed. And yet they grow from it. It’s actually teaching in its purest form: doing, trying, learning, laughing.
How do young people react at first and later on?
The first few seconds are always panic. Then often comes a smile, then a flow. After two rounds, you notice that inhibitions are lowered. Some even develop hidden comedy talents. I love these moments.
What skills do they improve?
Spontaneous speech, body language, quick structuring, humorous communication, self-confidence. It trains exactly the skills that school hardly ever covers, but which are constantly needed in real life.
A practical example?
I remember a student who hardly spoke before. Then he was given a slide with a monkey on it. He turned it into the most absurd, logical, and at the same time funniest presentation. The class cheered, he was red with pride, and later he said, “Ms. R., I think I can really do this.” I don’t forget things like that.
How do you integrate KAPOPO and PowerPoint Karaoke?
Completely flexible. When energy levels dip, I do two quick rounds. When we’re stuck in a presentation session, it becomes a warm-up. And in substitute lessons, it’s my lifeline. I use KAPOPO because I have materials that work immediately in no time at all. KAPOPO is also a popular tool in the last few lessons before the holidays: we stay on topic and avoid the 7th movie or 3rd breakfast.
Which KAPOPO features do you like to use the most?
Definitely the random slides. That’s where the best stories come from. Plus mini games when I need a quick activity. What’s important to me is that it has to be ready to use immediately, without preparation. KAPOPO delivers that.
Any tips for teachers?
First: Demonstrate it yourself. Yes, it feels embarrassing, but that’s exactly what gets the group going.
Second: Keep it short, maximum one minute of speaking time.
Third: Create an appreciative atmosphere. Laughter is allowed, but not mockery.
Does PowerPoint Karaoke help you personally?
Absolutely. Spontaneity is like a muscle. If you use it regularly, you relax much more quickly in challenging situations. I’ve tried it with my colleagues and we laughed until we cried.
Do you get stage fright?
Yes. But I now trust that the first ten seconds are the worst. After that, I get into my stride. I tell myself beforehand: I don’t have to be perfect. I can be real. That works best at school and in front of the camera.
Where can people follow you?
On Instagram at @Spektakulehrer. There I share teaching ideas, tools, school reality, humor, and a little bit of chaos from my everyday life. If you’re interested in honest teacher content, this is the place for you.
Dear Nadine, thank you very much for your time and the informative and valuable insights!
