How to Use MS Powerpoint to its Fullest Potential

l o a d i n g

T h i s i s a n o n-F l a s h m u l t i m e d i a

James here, is an experienced teacher.

Being the resourceful teacher he is, he jumped in the ICT for education wagon.

He is good with PowerPoint.

His colleagues complimented on his creations.

He caught students’ interest with the technology used.

BUT recently…

…students have lost interest in his presentations.

They no longer look forward to his classes.

We as teachers share the same predicament.

Why would our students not be attracted to teaching aids like...

These?

Because...

WE ARE NOT THEM

studentswant Flashy visuals similar to what they

are exposed to on TV. Internet . Video games Color combinations similar to what they are exposed to with current trends and fadsSchemas that they can relate to such as pop culture and icons . Interactive games .

If we bring these into the classroom, students will pay more attention and be more eager to learn.

And to fulfill this goal we have to be

CREATIVE & INNOVATIVE

Do we have to be a computer expert to teach using ICT?

How to use the PowerPoint to its fullest potential

Do we have to be a computer expert to teach using ICT?

How to use the PowerPoint to its fullest potential

Creativity & Innovation

Using Available Resources

A Quick Study

Guidelines on Using PowerPoint

The Bane for Teachers

Conclusion

Slide Presentation Samples

Introduction

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A Quick Study



Conclusion


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Introduction

• Creativity is a dwindling aspect in creating CGTAs

• CGTAs outperform traditional teaching aids

• CGTAs have potential to grab attention

• Attention/interest is not a constant variable

• Attention/interest is governed by trends and lifestyles

• Trends and lifestyles are much portrayed using ICT

• Therefore ICT is a good medium for teaching

• But are we using it the right way?

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A Quick Study



Conclusion


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Introduction

• Students are more exposed to ICT elements and the creative ways they are being used

• Trendy teen websites

• Interactive games and forum boards

• Flashy animation

• Net youth culture (Blogging, netpal, chats)\

• Themes, colors, layouts, etc.

• Students have advanced in ICT further than teachers and educators

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A Quick Study



Conclusion


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Introduction

• This paper discusses on ways of improving CGTAs

• Finding out ‘attention grabbers’ of students

• Debunking the ‘ICT for experts’ myth

• A guide for the average teacher

• Using PowerPoint creatively

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Introduction


A Quick Study



Conclusion


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• Is creativity trained or an inherited trait?

• Creativity being discussed here is one that has a purpose

• Creativity in ICT to teach students

• Creativity to grab students’ attention so that they are able to learn

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Introduction


A Quick Study



Conclusion


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• Creativity is in the eye of the beholder

• A good first impression is the first step to initiating learning

• We must take into consideration students’ ICT schemas

• ICT elements that never fail to grab attention are ‘attention grabbers’

Creativity in the eye of the beholder

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Introduction


A Quick Study



Conclusion


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• ‘Attention grabbers’ are integral components of CGTAs

• This paper proposes a taxonomy of ‘attention grabbers’ collected from surveys, observations and experience

• Useful when creating a PowerPoint generated teaching aid

Attention grabbers

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Introduction


A Quick Study



Conclusion


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• Layout / Organisation (template)

• Themes•Color combinations•Thematic concepts•Text schemes

• Visual graphics and audio• Content

•Youth connotations• Fun and games / humor

A proposed TAXONOMY

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Introduction


A Quick Study



Conclusion


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• ‘Attention grabbers’ governed by trends and lifestyles

• ‘Attention grabbers’ determined by age and gender

• This paper deals with ‘attention grabbers’ that can be used for all (universal)

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion


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The INTERNET as Guidance

• For youths, the internet is a medium of play and social interactions

• Internet is a lifestyle . a trend . a society

• Social niches : noob . l337 . hax0r

• We are pushing our ideals on how youths should use the internet instead of accepting youth’s ideals of it

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion


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The INTERNET as Guidance

• Do research on what elements of the internet are ‘attention grabbers’

• Use these ‘attention grabbers’ in CGTAs.

• Basically we use internet as a guide to understanding the youth ICT culture

>

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion


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The INTERNET as a Resource

• Knowing the internet youth culture is a prerequisite to creating CGTAs

• Googling helps narrow the search for elements

• Observe teen websites to see how they are constructed and what they offer

• Be involved in youth ICT socio-culture

• Download plug-ins to broaden your abilities

>

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion


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POWERPOINT as a teaching medium

• Survey : Every teacher knows PowerPoint

• But most only use it for one-way presentations

• We must ACCEPT the fact that it needs constant exploration to unlock versatility

• We must BE FAMILIAR with it through trial and errors and the proposed guideline

• APPLY creativity with using it in lessons

>

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion


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• PowerPoint meant to be one-way presentations

• But there is more to it . We must push it to its fullest potential

• Its versatility is endless provided we use creativity and innovativeness

• PowerPoint is losing its attraction. Be creative to return back its value in education

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion




• Flash has outclassed PowerPoint and stole its youth audience

• PowerPoint can fight back by bringing in elements of Flash into it

• A rational choice because many teachers are literate in PowerPoint

•PowerPoint CAN mimic Flash06 07 08 09 10 <

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion



POWERPOINT as an interactive tool

• Transform one-sided PowerPoint into a two-sided dynamic multimedia

• Hyperlinks – add interaction through pressing buttons

• Makes answering in text a possibility

• Creating games, tests and puzzles

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion



POWERPOINT as a home teacher

• PowerPoints can be brought home

• Hyperlinks direct students to tasks

• Hyperlinks direct students to responses

• As e-books or e-notes

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Introduction

A Quick Study



Conclusion



POWERPOINT as an assessment tool

• Objective questions are possible with ‘Hyperlinks’

• Feedback can be given on the spot

• It can portray animated graphics (movies) to test students

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Introduction



Conclusion


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A Quick Study

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• To find out ‘attention grabbers’ for students

• To find out what teachers are doing wrong

• To find out any conflicts between each party’s idea of ‘attention grabbers’

Why the study was carried out

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Introduction



Conclusion


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A Quick Study

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Top 3 important factors for students

• Organised layout 69%• Nice animation 59%• Interesting colors 48%• Fun and humorous 48%

Top 3 important factors for teachers

• Organised layout 92%• Specific theme 69%• Fun and humorous 69%Data and Findings

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Introduction



Conclusion


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A Quick Study

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Best THEMES for students

• Retro/ Psychedelic/ Funky 66%• Modern (futurist) 41%• Zen/ Japanese 31%• Tri-color 31%

Best THEMES for teachers

• Modern (futurist) 38%• Black & white 23%• Bright colors 15%Data and Findings

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Introduction



Conclusion


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A Quick Study

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Worst THEMES for students

• Black and white 35%• Yellow black 24%• Floral 14%• Bright colors 14%

Worst THEMES for teachers

• One color 92%• Tri-color 88%• Retro/ psychedelic/ funky 88%Data and Findings

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Introduction



Conclusion


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A Quick Study

• Several contradictions between opinions

• Hence, CGTAs do not work and sometimes work against the lesson

• 1st concern Teachers totally disregard color combinations

• 2nd concern Conflicting opinions regarding themes

Findings Discussed

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Introduction



Conclusion


01 02 03 04

A Quick Study

• Teachers tend to go for black and white .

• Students go for color explosions (retro/funky)

• 3rd concern Teachers are literate in PowerPoint but not literate in students’ ‘attention

grabbers’

• Teachers must bring these in lessons using creativity and innovation with the PowerPoint

Findings Discussed

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A Quick Study

Introduction


Conclusion


Refer to handout

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A Quick Study

Introduction


Conclusion


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organisation

themes colours graphics functions ideas

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organisation


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• Use similar layout concepts for all CGTAs

• Have a content table or site-map as a side-page

• Use a menu bar interface ( horizontal . vertical . free-form )

• All content should be in one window (content window)

• Allocate an area for page information

( title . chapter . page numbers . sidepage links)

• Divide a page into 4 areas :

Page Info | Menu bar | Content window | Graphic space

• Study the layouts of teen websites and software for inspiration

• HYPERLINK is a powerful function for organisation

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organisation


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• A theme is first thought of . . . then put into effect

• A theme revolves around color , fonts , music , graphic , etc.

• Every good website and software employs a theme

• Different people have differing views on themes

• The favored themes for youth are governed by trends and lifestyles

• There are a few universal themes that would cater for all students

• Currently themes for teens are :

Modern | Japanese Anime/ Zen | Retro | Grunge | Tricolor

• Themes for young adolescents are :

Cartooney | Nickelodeon-ish | Retro | Tricolor | Modern

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organisation


• Growing in popularity among teens due to its comeback in trends

• Psychedelic color combinations using vivid colors such as

• Plays with retro shapes such as rounded triangles and spiral circles

• Inspiration : PowerPuff Girls . Funky Friends . Scooby Doo . Bleach

Austin Powers . Nokia . IKEA . Joss Stone . Happy House .

Theme 01 Retro Psychedelic Funky 70s

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organisation



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organisation



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organisation


• Clean and clinic looking

• Uses one main color with several secondary colors such as

• Plays with angular and skewed rectangles “ >> ” and “ | ”

• 3D effect : transparent layers , gradients and bevelled separators

• Numbers have 0 beside them : 01 02 003

• Font-faces to use are : Century Gothic . Arial . Tahoma . Impact

• Accompaniment : Digital sound effects and modern ambient music

• Graphics : Technical pictures and modern architecture

• Animation : Flash-like . Uses flickering , fast-paced movements

Theme 02 Modern Futuristic Sleek Sharp

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organisation



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Yellow black Yellow black White black Yellow red

• Colors determine themes

= psychedelic

RULES FOR COMBINING COLORS

• Not all colors can be combined together and contrast well

• Color preferences differ between gender but not so across levels

• Safest way to combine colors is to use colors which only differ in hue; which only differ in saturation or which only differ in brightness

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organisation


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• Colors which differ in HUE

• Colors which differ in SATURATION (shades)

• Colors which differ in BRIGHTNESS (lightness)

• Different shades of gray portray a ‘neutral’ combination

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organisation


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• Orange is the new black. Orange goes well with white or grey

• Pastel colors go well together for a subdued effect

• Refrain from using these color combinations as main themes

Yellow black Yellow black White black Yellow red

Blue black Red black White black Blue red

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organisation


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• Do not stretch pictures . If you need them a certain size, crop them

• Do not overuse clip arts and gif.animations. Keep to 1 or 2 clip arts per page and 1 animation for one page

• Always choose a picture that needs the least editing and of a good resolution

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organisation


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• Refrain from using auto photo editors

• They rarely fit into themes

• Students are not exposed to such editing in the Internet

• The best editing trick is not to edit at all

• Visualise the picture you need and google it

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organisation


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•Teachers tend to over-abuse CLIP ARTS, WORD ARTS and text animations

• Word Arts can be substituted using simple formatting of texts

• The current trends of formatting texts are:

WORDART WORDART wordART

W O R D A R T W O R D A R Ts a m p l e t e x t

WORDART

wordart wordart

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organisation


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• Teachers favour text animations because in one click it adds movement into pages

• It is not the content that needs to be animated, but the package

• Text animation when used creatively can add professionalism

This is an example of irrelevant animation

This animation is more familiar to teenagers

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organisation


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• Timeline is a concept not usually associated with PowerPoint but with Flash and movie editors

• The strength in Flash is the ‘timeline’ function

• With timeline every slide page can look like an animation Flash movie

• Timeline is quite easy to master. It has only 3 variables

• On click

• With Previous

• After Previous

• Even with the last 2 variables, the use of timeline is endless if one is familiar with sleek movements of Flash

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organisation


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• Motion Path is another function that adds movement to a page

• The best way to employ motion path is to guide texts and pictures to their final placements/ location in a page

• This function resembles closely Flash’s motion path animation

• Observe Flash websites and be inspired by their sleek movements

• Transparency adds a 3D feel to a page

• Autoshapes can be made semi-transparent to portray layering of pages

•

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organisation


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• Interactive Fun and Games

• Involvement in pressing buttons to give answers

• Multiple choice questions

• Information gap questions (eg. Hangman)

• Hands-on activities

• Using ACTIVStudio to make a lesson into a boardgame

• Highlighting/circling answers

• Writing down answers on the board

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organisation


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organisation


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A Quick Study


Introduction

Conclusion



The myths and fallacies of ICT, a local teachers’ perspective

• Teaching with ICT is for ICT expert teachers

• Students know better than teachers syndrome

• Critical Period theory

ICTin education



A Quick Study



Introduction


Conclusion

Teachers do not have to be computer experts to create impressive CGTAs

With proper guidance (such as a guideline), the task is narrowed into a path to successful teaching aids

Recommendations• Workshops on immersing teachers to ICT-creativity

• A change of software interface by software producers to cater for teaching and education

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A Quick Study



Conclusion

Introduction


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A Quick Study



Conclusion

Introduction

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Education

How to Use MS Powerpoint to its Fullest Potential