As a part of the Chapter 8 assignment, I am asking that you create a PowerPoint presentation that will complement a “live” demonstration of your process or operations of a piece of equipment.

“PowerPoint” is a Microsoft presentation software that you can find packaged either as a separate program or bundled in the Microsoft Office Suite.  It is one of the most frequently used presentation programs on the market today, and because it is used so often in the business and professional world, it will be helpful for you to become familiar with it.  You will need to access the program in order to complete this part of the project.

If you live in the Mountain View College service area in North Texas and can come to the campus, you can find it in a number of the open labs of the college.  If not, I will be happy to provide tutoring.  If you live outside of the college’s service area, you will find a number of useful tutorials online that give very thorough but simple instructions for using this program.  (I have listed a number of these websites at the end of this page.)

Tips and Guidelines for Developing Your PowerPoint Presentation

1) Your presentation should be only an outline of your user manual, not a full-text version in PowerPoint.  Include only those main “talking” points, not all the fine detail.
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2) Choose a background template (or an original graphic) that complements your topic and doesn’t overshadow the information itself.
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3) Don’t clutter a screen with too much information.  Keep your talking points brief.  Use grammatically parallel phrases rather than complete sentences.
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4) Use graphic aids to illustrate parts of the equipment or process. (Note: Don’t use graphic aids that are not crisp and clear.  Sloppy graphics will detract from the quality of your presentation and hinder rather than help effective communication.)
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5) Use the “Custom Animation” feature to introduce each line of text “on mouse click” rather than exposing a full screen of text at one time.  You will lose some of your audience who will be trying to anticipate where you may be going with your remarks.
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6) At the end of a complex process explanation, you may wish to include a summary of the key steps or stages in the operations.
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7) Be alert to the “safe area” of a screen.  Don’t place text or graphics near the edge of the computer screen as you are developing a PowerPoint screen.  Allow about a 10% safe area or border at the top and bottom and left and right in which you place nothing.  Different brands of data projectors will tend to clip the safe area at different depths around the screen perimeter.

Some Stylistic Tips

1) Keep consistent:  use the same layout, text font, color schemes, styles of images/graphics throughout the presentation.
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2) Place light text on dark backgrounds, dark text on light backgrounds.
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3) Use the same type of transition between slides; avoid “Random” transitions.
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4) Use the same type of animations from slide to slide when introducing lines of numbered or bulleted text.
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5) Never use text smaller than 24 point when anticipating a presentation before a group; what may look sharp and tidy on a computer screen may not project clearly for an audience in a large room or auditorium.

Some Links to PowerPoint Tutorials

1) PowerPoint in the Classroom
2) Online PowerPoint Tutorials
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This page was last modified on August 27, 2007,
and is maintained by Dr. Geoffrey A. Grimes.
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