Dynamic Powerpoint – Beyond Basics By Cindy Cohen 8035
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.
Great advice for anyone who uses PowerPoint. I need to share this with the folks in my principal’s cohort!