Powerpoint

What is It?Powerpoint is a widely-used presentation program that allows you to display a series of digital "slides" to a class via a computer and projector. On a given powerpoint slide, you can present text, images, videos, sounds and even embed web links to launch from the presentation.  What Access do We Have to it at NC State? NC State has a campus-wide licence to Powerpoint, meaning that any NC State office computer can have the program installed on it, if it does not already. All NC State computer and projector equipped classrooms/Smart Classrooms have Powerpoint installed on the instructor station computer. Additionally, NC State Full-time and Adjunct faculty are eligible to purchase a copy of the complete Microsoft Office Suite (which includes Powerpoint) for home at an extreme discount (contact the NC State Human Resources office). 

How do I Get Started With It? 

• Dive right in!

  • Find it on your office/home computer (Start Menu>Programs>Microsoft Office) and create a new presentation. "Insert" menu and "new slide" for new slides and click on "Click to enter text" blanks to fill in your text. Scan through Finkelstein's tips for PowerPoint in Education -- particularly her thumbnail of Mayer's 5 principles.

  • See Also: Microsoft's "Creating your First Presentation" (Powerpoint 2007)

• Take a Workshop or  1on1 Consult

• Check the Live Faculty Training Schedule. or contact the DL Department to setup a 1 on 1 consult: 419.545.0808 or dl@ncstatecollege.edu 

• Figure Out Where/How It Would be a Good Fit First

  • Use the Case Studies below and or the procedures for How/Where to Start with Technology to determine your objective with your first Powerpoint implementation. Then use the Powerpoint documentation or a Live Workshop or 1on1 Consult (419.545.0808 or dl@ncstatecollege.edu) to figure out how to make your implementation for your needs.

Potential Impact on Teaching and Learning Case Studies/Scholarship:

• "Discovering the Power of Powerpoint: Rethinking the Design of Presentation Slides from a Skillful User's Perspective" - Alley & Neeley, 2005

• "Five Ways to reduce PowerPoint overload" - Cliff Atkinson & Richard E. Mayer

• "The Rhetoric of Powerpoint" - Jens Kjeldsen

Related Trainings:

• • Using Powerpoint to Enhance Learning

  • Powerpoint "Nuts n' Bolts" session

  • Improving Learning with Powerpoint Faculty Learning Community

• Microsoft's Powerpoint 2007 Free Training

Local Experts:

• • Carmen Morrison cmorrison@ncstatecollege.edu