Instructional Module Three

Using PowerPoint® in the Classroom

Introduction

Uses for PowerPoint

Online Tutorials

Download  a PowerPoint Workbook

Technology Resource Centre

Using for PowerPoint in the Classroom

PowerPoint presentations can be categorized into the following areas listed below.  Click on each category for further information and examples.

• Informational Presentations

• Procedural Presentations

• Celebratory Presentations

• Electronic Portfolios (Includes a template for creating student portfolios)

• Interactive Activities

• Create & Print (Make overhead transparencies or digital books)

Informational Presentations

The purpose of this type of presentation is to present information about a particular topic or concept..  For a student this type of presentation will organize the information gathered for a report or represent the learning of a new concept.  The student may present the information to a large group such as his/her class, to a small group or to the teachers.  The presentation my be completed by an individual or a small group or each member of the classroom might contribute a slide. 

For a teacher this might be developing a presentation to teach a lesson, introduce a concept, or present information at a workshop.  The presentation might be presented to a large group using a data projector or it might be presented to a small group gathered around a single computer.  The presentation may be designed for one student to view in order to learn new information, a procedure, or complete a guided activity.

Student Created Presentations

Procedural Presentations

Procedural presentations offer information on "how to" accomplish or succeed at a particular task or concept.  Procedural presentations are useful to explain a step by step process or procedure to reach a desired result.

Presentations Created by Teachers for Students

Presentations Created by Teachers for Teachers

Celebratory Presentations

Celebratory presentations usually have a collection of numerous pictures highlighting a particular event or passage of time.  The presentation often includes music and is created for an audience.  Examples include:

• classroom memory album
• scrapbook
• year end multimedia presentation
• school promotional presentation
• field trip
• review of events for a sporting team or school club
• graduation ceremony

Electronic Portfolios

Electronic portfolios can be created using PowerPoint.  Electronic portfolios are created by students to demonstrate a collection of their learning achievements throughout a school year.  Electronic portfolios can also be developed by teachers for use during a job interview or to chronicle their teaching career.

Articles about Electronic Portfolios:

• Electronic Portfolios in the K - 12 Classrooms
• Electronic Portfolios
• Create Your Own Electronic Porfolio
• A webquest for teachers on creating a teaching electronic portfolio

Click here to view a template for students to use to make an electronic portfolio.  To download this template as a zip file click here.

 Interactive Activities

Interactive activities can be created using "Action Buttons" in PowerPoint.  Once the concept of using an action button is understood then linear presentations can be transformed into hyperlinked presentations. 

A typical PowerPoint presentation is developed in a linear fashion.  Clicking on one slide will advance to the next slide. If you were to print out the individual slides on paper, you could form a neat line, seeing the progression of the presentation.

A hyperlinked presentation opens new doors.  It is possible to click on one button to go to a slide deeper in the presentation and then click on a button to take you back to slide one.  Using the action button feature allows the developer to create interesting, interactive presentations.

Examples of Interactive Activities

Interactive Presentations to Download

PowerPoint can be used in other ways as a useful teaching tool.

Print Screen to Make Overhead Transparencies

• The "Print Screen" button is located on the keyboard (Print scr).  This function is particularly useful when demonstrating or instructing how to use an Internet site or software package. 
• Imagine this scenario.  You have your class scheduled to work in the computer lab on research project. You would like the class to use a particular web site once they are settled at the computers.  In order to save time in the lab you would like to provide the necessary instruction in the classroom but you don't have a computer that is connected to the Internet.  A useful teaching tool is to take a screen shot of the intended site, paste it into PowerPoint, print the slide and then make an overhead transparency.  Then the only equipment needed is an overhead projector and screen.  Once the instruction is complete in the classroom, valuable time in the computer lab can be concentrated on the activity. 
• The "print screen" button is like a "copy button".  When you press the button there isn't any indication that you have copied the screen.  But you have!  When you navigate to PowerPoint, create a blank slide, then click on the "paste" button.  The screen shot will insert as a graphic and will be resizable.

Digital Books

• Digital books are simply PowerPoint slides or handouts printed on paper.  The slides are an excellent size to print out individually and then staple into a book.  The print handouts option offers the opportunity to print 6 miniature slides on a page.  Students can cut out the individual slides and staple together to make mini-books!