Faculty of Arts Technologies for Learning Centre

							Faculty of Arts
Technologies for Learning Centre


 PowerPoint for Active Learning

                   Terry Butler
                  2000 January 5
 PowerPoint - What is it?

Presentation Software
 used in business and education to provide
  visuals to accompany a presentation
 a type of software which includes competitors
    – Corel Presentations
    – Astound
 PowerPoint

Traditional use in an educational setting
 "eye candy" - visuals to accompany an oral
  presentation
 gives an outline which can be provided to
  students outside the classroom setting
 PowerPoint

Traditional use in an educational setting
   guidelines for effective use
    – keep each slide up for at least 30 seconds
    – put no more than four main points on any slide
    – keep the visual moving! (plan for a special slide if you
      have a long stay at one point)
   make the fonts very clear and legible, not just so
 PowerPoint

Traditional uses in an educational setting
   advantages
    – students can keep the big picture in view
    – note taking can be more meaningful
   disadvantages
    – still a one-way street for communication
    – if an outline "says it all", how much is being said?
 PowerPoint for Active Learning

What is “active learning”
 techniques which engage the learner, promote
  activity not passivity
 can be used in class and outside of class
 we use them all the time in lectures
    – “Are there any questions?”
 PowerPoint for Active Learning

Uses which support active learning
 provide advance reading for students
 use multimedia to capture more than the outline
 "post to the web" in a smart way, that supports
  further exploration
 have the students use PowerPoint themselves!
    PowerPoint for Active Learning

provide advance reading for students
   slides can have links to documents or web
    content
     – here is an example: Microsoft Word Document
     – here is another example: web site
   printing the slides
     – formats, colours, graphics all affect this decision
   handouts: before or after?
    PowerPoint for Active Learning

use multimedia
   presentation can have
    graphics built right in
    PowerPoint for Active Learning

use multimedia
   you can link to sound files
     – the icon activates the sound when clicked
    PowerPoint for Active Learning

use multimedia
   you can record a voice over for the presentation
     – “Record Narration ...”
    PowerPoint for Active Learning

"post to the web" to support further exploration
   “Save as HTML ...” option lets you create a web
    site with your presentation on it
     – disadvantage: it does a poor job (better in
       PowerPoint 2000)
   A better option is to post your actual
    PowerPoint file
     – students can view it with the free viewer
     – “Pack and Go...” option helps
    PowerPoint for Active Learning

have the students use PowerPoint themselves
   students can annotate your presentation
     – use Notes Page view in PowerPoint
     – use voice over (“Record Narration...”)
     – or create a word processing document
   students can create their own presentations
     – useful skill set for them as teachers or otherwise
     – gives scope for their creativity in non-verbal forms
    PowerPoint Workshop

explore advanced PowerPoint features
multimedia

 include graphics
 include sound files
 explore slide animation features
    PowerPoint Workshop

explore advanced PowerPoint features
publish to the web

   Upload PowerPoint file option (save the .ppt
    file)
    – if file is not self contained (has links to media or
      documents) use the “Pack and Go” option and save
      the result as a ZIP file on your website
   Publish as HTML option (creates .html files)
    PowerPoint Workshop

explore advanced PowerPoint features
teaching students to use PowerPoint

 software is installed in many public labs
 training resources in the TLC
    – books
    – online tutorials
    PowerPoint Workshop

explore advanced PowerPoint features
PowerPoint 2000 is part of Office 2000 suite

 will be installed in public labs in summer 2000
 preview is available in TLC and at Microsoft's
  homepage for PowerPoint
Resources
 Contact
  – Terry.Butler@UAlberta.ca
 More information about PowerPoint
    – www.microsoft.com/office/powerpoint/default.htm
   Other PowerPoint courses offered on campus
    – www.ualberta.ca/Training