PowerPoint+Tips

Do you use PowerPoint? Do you require your students to create PowerPoint presentations?
Here are some tips for creating dynamic PowerPoint presentations, including how to add animations that pop.

First, some DOs and DON'Ts. Click the link below to read this article from Tech & Learning: ==10 Do’s and Don’ts to using PowerPoint to Deliver Lectures That Don’t Suck ==

If you want to record yourself explaining your presentation, try Screencast-o-Matic.

Map a Course Created by Michael Ruffini, professor at Bloomsburg University, for his educational technologies classes (undergraduate and graduate). Click on eCourse maps for ideas for ideas, resources, etc. for PowerPoints, virtual field trips, webquests, blogs, wikis, scavenger hunts and other instructional technology integration tips and project ideas.


 * Why use PowerPoint?**
 * multimedia software is an essential part of teaching and learning
 * most widely available
 * PowerPoint Classroom Uses**
 * **digital storytelling, webquests, virtual field trips, instructional gaming**
 * organizes information: make sure your presentation replicates a concept map of the topic
 * teacher presentation
 * student presentation
 * How animations can engage student interest**
 * research is clear on impact on student learning and interest: Richard Lowe's research shows that animations help learners engage, grasp concepts more easily, retain information for a longer period of time when compared to static images.
 * newest versions (2010) allow entry, emphasis, exit, and motion path animations (MAC users are somewhat limited)
 * Explore animation examples and resources**
 * Animation Factory Provides high-quality animations. These work best. Go to animated clip art. Thousands of resources here. You can save the animations by size and by backgrounds (including clear).
 * Try googling "free gifs"
 * Sound editor: Use audacity.
 * Sound effects: Make sure you use free (labeled for reuse) music and sounds. Try Incompetech for high quality royalty-free music. Also try fx downloads for sound effects.
 * TV Sound tracks: Need George of the Jungle? Man from U.N.C.L.E? Gilligan's Isle? Go to the Classic TV site where you'll find tons of resources. Be sure to scroll down to be able to click on the alphabetical listing. These are also royalty-free.
 * How to create web-enhanced animated PowerPoints**
 * First slide should have links to other slides (remember Hyperstudio Stacks?) which invite viewers/students to go and explore.
 * Add interactive features: timeline that is hyperlinked to online information, "game" format like Jeopardy, trampoline contest (find online), to allow students to practice concepts or which send them out onto the Internet to find answers.
 * PowerPoint Heaven Free PowerPoint animation slides for download. Import them into your presentation.
 * Use a project animation log (paper form) to track the order of animations, sound, effect, start, duration, delay, and effect.
 * In PowerPoint, open the Custom Animation Pane. Click VIEW and select CUSTOM ANIMATION.
 * Have an object fly or drive or walk across page. Add an object. Click on the object, then click on add path. Adjust the time it takes to fly across the page by adjusting the start time and duration. You can also add a delay to have the item come onto the page after a few moments.
 * Add more effects to the same page: click on the next object. Go to animation pane again. Add another effect in sync with other animation by clicking on "with previous" and set timing and duration (and delay) again.