This was a good session that gave some basic common sense tips on using PowerPoint.

Why would we want to use it (well)?
• This generation has little tolerance for delays or mistakes in delivery of information
• It’s an easy way to get information across in a short time period

Caution:

• Too much information – on each slide
• Color choices (may depend on lighting in presentation location)
• Can be “eye catching or eye watering”
• Presentation often not test driven to catch problems

If well used can be extremely engaging

Tips:

• Proof read
• Don’t include all information
• Practice test run
• Don’t over-use the software in the classroom

Key – Keep the focus on the presenter

Start with the basics

• Know your information
• What are the key points or concepts
• Make an outline (enter basic information on blank slides)
• Order is important
• Add relevant materials (diagrams, images, audio, video)

Consider approaches for presenting

• How is the slide being used?
• Ask a question on the slide (stop for discussion)
• Break up with a related activity (stop presentation, do short activity, go back to presentation)

Adjust style elements (easy place to waste time)

• Visual interest is key but remember to keep focus on the presenter
• You can use WordArt to make notes on each slide to remind you of details, changes, and additions – what needs to be done to each slide
• Do test run
• Prepare your oral presentation (this is the part that many people omit!)
• To prepare you can take your original outline and print it out or print slide handouts.
• 3 slides to a page and you can have lines on the right side for notes

Presentations without a presenter

• Podcast presentation
• Save each slide as a jpeg
• Insert into MovieMaker
• Create audio voiceover using Audacity put together audio and movie – Podcast

*They did a Distance Learning Day at Good Shepherd. They submitted lesson plans, students stayed home and did assignments via internet. This type of podcast presentation was part of her lesson.