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How to use PowerPoint effectively. G.S. Betney (2011). Today’s workshop. What is PowerPoint? Designing PowerPoint presentations – some do’s and don’ts Creating a PowerPoint presentation Delivering a PowerPoint presentation. What is PowerPoint?. PowerPoint is a presentation program
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How to use PowerPoint effectively G.S. Betney (2011)
Today’s workshop • What is PowerPoint? • Designing PowerPoint presentations – some do’s and don’ts • Creating a PowerPoint presentation • Delivering a PowerPoint presentation
What is PowerPoint? • PowerPoint is a presentation program • Easy to learn • Easy to use • Can incorporate clipart and multimedia such as graphics, video, audio..
PowerPoint however is not… • A replacement for presentation skills • A replacement for knowledge • Easy to use WELL
A warning from the experts • “In the hands of an agile expert, Microsoft's (MSFT) PowerPoint can be a powerful weapon. For everyone else, the world's best-selling presentation software has the impact of a squirt gun. It isn't that the software is hard to use. On the contrary, the fact that it's so simple to use may be why so many audiences are asleep before the fifth slide.” • Business 2.0 (http://www.bkdgraphics.com/documents/KungFu.pdf)
Designing PowerPoint presentations • Choose a design template that has high contrast between text and background especially when using projection equipment • The idea is to make it easy for your audience to read NOT to distract them with overly complex designs and colours, remember that some people are colour blind • Bad design can create problems especially for students with bad eyesight or dyslexia
Fonts • Be consistent • Don’t use more than three fonts in a presentation • Do not use script fonts or fancy fonts • You may wish to adjust the font for handouts
Font size • Your font size should be big enough to be seen!!! • For a large room at least 24 point • Be consistent
Text • Do not put too much text on a slide, this can lead to the number 1 PowerPoint error of ‘reading’ the slide • No more than SIX bullet points per slide • Use the NOTES feature • Use headlines and sub-headings
Text • Use spell check – just press F7 – spelling errors always look unprofessional, much more so in 24 point projected onto a screen • Ask a friend to proofread for you before you actually present • Use correct punctuation and be consistent • Use upper case and lower case letters
Animation • Animation is fun but can distract your audience from what you are saying so: • USE SPARINGLY • Not like this….
Music • Music is best avoided but can be pedagogically useful at the start of a lecture • How, why and when?
Graphics • Clip art • Photographs • Only use if it illustrates the point • Only ONE per slide
Charts and Tables • Charts and tables are useful to explain complex ideas • Make sure they are big enough to see easily including legends • Normally only ONE per slide (unless comparing)
Creating a PowerPoint presentation • Do NOT start by opening PowerPoint • Always PLAN the presentation out first • Create a ‘storyboard’ • Then…
Then just add your text etc…. • Remembering to adhere to the guidelines about: • Backgrounds • Fonts • Colour • Text • Etc….
Inserting clip art • Click on ‘Insert’ in the tool bar • Select Clip Art • The task pane will open in the right hand side of the screen
Type in a search term • You may have to try several search terms • This is especially the case if you are trying to illustrate abstract concepts. • Let’s try teacher…
Just choose the clip by clicking on it and then drag to resize to fit
Animating text • First type in your text • Then click on Animations • Then choose Custom animation….
Delivering a PowerPoint presentation • PowerPoint is there to help you get your points across NOT to distract the audience and dominate the lecture. • It is NOT a substitute for knowledge • Remember PPPPP • Prior practice prevents poor performance
Delivering a PowerPoint presentation • Do NOT read the slides, explain the points • Do NOT speak with your back to the audience • If necessary use a spare laptop or hard copies so you don’t have to look behind you • Do not rush, spend 2-3 minutes on each slide
Handouts • It is usually a good idea to provide handouts • When to give them to your audience is a matter of some debate • You can produce them with 3 slides per page and space for notes