Facilitating using PowerPoint

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Whenever you see this help icon on the left, you can click on it to view the range of help documents that guide you on the use of Moodle and other aspects of this course.

There are various types of resources and activities contained within this course. They can be accessed by clicking on the links to them - normally indicated by blue text. For example, to open a page which lists the general aims of this course, click on the blue text below.

This course works best when everyone participates in the online discussion forums. If you have not seen this before, you will soon get used to posting your own comments and replying to others.

Toolkit

The course has several 'topics'. You can go directly to the current topic we are working on by clicking on the large icons at the top of the page. When you first enter the course all topics are displayed. You will find that using the icons will load the web page more quickly as only that topic is then displayed.

Things you must do are indicated by the 'ToDo' icon on the left, it indicates an activity that you must complete. Some of these activities are assignments or quizzes. it is important that you realise that Moodle tracks all of your activity on the course - when you login or logout; what pages you viewed; your score on a test; any files you have uploaded/downloaded.

When all of the activities marked like this are completed, you will have successfully completed the course! However, there are many other activities, particularly those that illustrate how Moodle works, that although not mandatory, you will learn much more by trying them out to appreciate all of it's features.

Lesson modules are the main 'lessons' of the course. There is a lesson module for 3 of the 4 main course topics. Lessons can be produced in a variety of formats. The introductory activities provide some examples of this.

Learning outcomes, performance criteria and evidence requirements for the course

Outlining different ways one can send messages using the Moodle learning management platform.

An overview of the tasks I have to do every week of the course.

An overview of the tasks I have to do every week of the course.

Two ways to navigate Moodle (i) using navigation block (ii) using breadcrumbs

Learning Outcomes

How this online course is facilitated

How will you be assessed?

Course Outline

Communication

Communication modes

Navigating

Course Navigation

How to message in Moodle.

How to upload and submit an assignment

Course Resources in pdf format

Prerequisites

Welcome: Let's Get Started

Course Introduction Checklist

Week One: Let's Get Started

My experiences with PowerPoint

Week One Checklist

Guide: Seting up a laptop computer to run a slide show on a projector

What is PowerPoint?

Topic Two: Let's Get Started

Topic Two Checklist

What MS PowerPoint skills do I have to demonstrate?

List of the PowerPoint features / options you have to demonstrate in a set of PowerPoint slides

Sample of checklist corresponding to the sample PP slide set.

How will I acquire the MS PowerPoint skills needed?

How do I demonstrate that I have the MS PowerPoint skills listed in the checklist?

MS PowerPoint Tutorials

Topic Three: Let's Get Started

Topic Three Checklist

Planning for assessment of your facilitation

PowerPoint Presentation Guidelines

Becoming PowerPoint Capable. Tips and tricks by Shelly L. Belflower

Checklist of criteria a quality PowerPoint should adhere to.

Learn about criteria that quality PowerPoint slides should meet. 

Information from web on PowerPoint slides design.

Design tips for PowerPoint

Below you find some information taken from the web. Read it critically asking yourself whether or not it is a good tip in YOUR learn environment and with YOUR learners.

From: https://student.unsw.edu.au/design-tips

Make it clear

• Visuals should be concise, simple and relevant.
• Arrange your visuals in a logical sequence in line with your presentation structure.
• Each visual should convey a specific idea, point, or topic area. Use one message per slide.
• Limit the amount of text on each slide. Don’t reproduce your entire presentation script, just main points and key words. Edit out words you don't need until each statement is as concise as possible.
• Check spelling and grammar.
• Limit the number of slides to 5 or 6 per 10 minutes.

Make it big

• Visuals should be readable from the back of the room.
• Use a large font (at least 24 points).
• Avoid overly elaborate typefaces. Choose a simple font, like Helvetica, Arial or Times.
• Don’t use all capitals. Blocks of text are hard to read.
• Make sure captions on pictures or graphs can be clearly seen from the back of the room.

Keep it simple - Don’t overdesign

• Your slides should be simple and clear. Eliminate unnecessary information and clutter.
• Make use of white space and don’t cram too much on each slide. For each addition, ask yourself ‘is this necessary; what does it add to the message?’
• Avoid busy backgrounds that make text hard to read.

Keep it simple - Don't go overboard with technology

• Aim to communicate, not to win an Oscar for special effects.
• Use animations sparingly. Effects like flying or flashing text can distract your audience. What value do they really add to your talk or your topic?
• Only include elements like sound and video if they are the best way to convey particular information.
• The sound effects that accompany PowerPoint animations are best avoided altogether.

Be consistent

• Choose a general 'look' for your presentation and stick to it. Maintain a unity of key design elements from slide to slide.
• Don't get carried away with fonts, colours, styles etc. Use the same themes (colours, backgrounds, fonts etc) throughout your slideshow.
• Visual consistency can link your slides and help your presentation to flow.

Be visual

• The impact of visuals is greatly increased by colour IF it is used well.
• Ensure there is a clear contrast between text and background colour.
• Use a highlight colour to emphasis key words.
• Don’t use too many colours on one slide.
• Use colours that harmonise rather than clash. Bright shades can look harsh when projected.
• If you’re not sure how to put colours together, make use of the colour schemes available in PowerPoint.

Move beyond bullet points

• Take advantage of the medium and look for ways to convert data to visual information. Would a picture, graph or chart convey information more effectively than text?

Use graphics well

• Choose graphic material to support your presentation. Don’t include graphics purely for decoration.
• Use 1-2 images per slide.
• Pictures should be clear and in focus.
• Tables or graphs should be simple and readable from the back of the room.
• Remember that what may look clear and focussed on your computer screen will probably be paler and less focussed when projected onto a large screen.

A PowerPoint presentation by Satyajeet Singh

Reading about pedagogical criteria for PowerPoint slides for use in facilitation

Set of slides to be evaluated against criteria list and improved.

PPT suggestions interactive use PPP

Checklist PPP for use in learning session

Planning for PowerPoint supported session

Topic Four: Let's Get Started

Assessor's observation checklist.

Set of sample slides to illustrate skills in using MS PowerPoint features listed in the checklist. 

Topic Four Checklist

Best practice in using PowerPoint

PP presentation covering dos and don'ts

Topic Five: Let's Get Started