PowerPoint was designed to make business presentations.It provides a variety of color backgrounds so that you can prepare on-screen slide shows or even print color transparencies to facilitate classroom presentations. The on-screen mode is useful to teachers who have a VGA to TV converter so that they can display their work on the larger classroom monitor.The computer monitor can be used, especially in a lab where there are multiple computers, but it is usually too small for use with a whole class.

Basically, PowerPoint lets you make up your own “filmstrips”.It is used in class in the same way.A visual with text is presented to the class and the teacher can add key ideas, ask questions, and have the class take notes.It is much more flexible, however.You can change the order of the slides by dragging and dropping them to the new location in the slide sorter mode or you can save parts of presentations and integrate them in new situations.

I would recommend the building of slide shows for each topic that you cover during the school year.You can save them from year to year and make additions and deletions as needed.You can add sounds, music from CD’s, photos, graphics, and animated transitions.

PowerPoint is easy to use.All you have to do is use the built in Wizards to guide you through your first few presentations.I have downloaded a tutorial to assist those of you who have never completed a presentation.If you open Netscape, and go to File, Open Page... then navigate to the PowerPoint Tutorial folder.You will open ppt.html . It will give you a general introduction to PowerPoint.

A few cautions before you start… Do not use too many animations or sounds in your presentations.These tend to distract the audience.Be sure to print handout pages for your audience.You can put up to 6 or so slides per page and these can be used for student notes.Print and outline for your use.It will show you the slide number and give you space for your notes.They also have note pages.These give a full slide printout plus a large area for notes.I find that the outline page is big enough.Also, do not put too much text on the screen at one time.A few lines and a graphic will make a clean looking slide.

Once you go to present your slides, click on the screen icon.A mouse click or arrow key can be used to change from slide to slide.It is possible to set an automatic advance based on a practice run.I don’t recommend this because it reduces your ability to expand on a topic in relation to student interest or questions.

Save your files and modify them after each presentation.You will work out any problems and come up with valuable lesson files for next year.

It is now possible to save the slide shows for the web.The html documents are loaded to a web server and the slide show controls make it easy for people to step through your presentation.You can also record your narration and use the .wav files but these are sometimes too big to run smoothly across the web.

It is sometimes handy to capture screen shots to add to your presentation.You can do this with software such as CaptureEase Pro.This is great when you are making presentations concerning the use of software.In class activities, .jpg or .gif files taken with a digital camera make great graphics.Students are always eager to see themselves and their classmates.It assures that they pay attention to your slideshow.

If you feel that you need additional help.Go to http://www.dogpile.com and search for PowerPoint Tutorial.You will find many great sites to supply you with everything you will ever need to master this super program.

PowerPoint 97 Basics

http://www.iupui.edu/~webtrain/tutorials/powerpoint97_basics.html

PowerPoint 2000 Basics

http://www.iupui.edu/~webtrain/tutorials/powerpoint2000_basics.html

PowerPoint in the Classroom

http://www.gp.k12.mi.us/ci/ce/powerpoint/home.htm

PowerPoint Beginning Level

http://208.183.128.3/tutorials/powerpoint.htm

PowerPoint Advanced

http://208.183.128.3/tutorials/powerpoint2.htm

PowerPoint 2000

http://208.183.128.3/tutorials/ppt2000/index.html

Downloading Zipped PowerPoint Presentations

http://208.183.128.3/tutorials/zipppt.html