Presentation Software

This wiki page was created to support the Tech Express workshop Punch up your Powerpoint presentations on Jan 19th, 2012.

Workshop Description

We will lead off with some best practices for presenting and then show some simple ways you can add dynamic elements to your PowerPoint slides (and similar presentation tools), including animations, transitions, embedding audio-video content. We will also demonstrate some online tools that have exciting tools that extend PowerPoint's functionalities.

Part 1: Best Practices

There are a lot of things to consider when you're designing a presentation. These include:

Context of your presentation (e.g. demonstration of findings, presenting information, etc.)
Number of slides
Use of bullet points and text
Balance of text to graphic
Use of graphics/animations/transitions

Don't ever design your presentation by typing it into PowerPoint. Write out what you want to say and then design the slides that will help you convey it. Remember that you are your presentation, not your slides.

Resources

Part 2: Design Elements

There are a number of design elements to think about when creating your PowerPoint. Used sparingly, they can improve the impact of your presentation on your audience. Each version of PowerPoint implements these tools differently, but they are universal.

Transitions

Wiping
Fading
Flipping

Animations

Use of Text Animations
Employ for emphasis
If in doubt, simply use Appear

Graphics

Avoid clipart
Make sure to use Creative Commons images or appropriately licensed material
Consider purchasing stock images if you cannot find something suitably licensed. Aim to purchase only if you are permitted to edit/alter/create derivative works from the original.

Audio

Avoid for live audiences as it can be distracting
Great for narrating slides for asynchronous delivery on the web

Video

Make sure you have permission to use the video even if it's just a YouTube video - check for license terms under the "show more" link.
Methods for embedding video change from version to version
Very easy to do if you have a copy of the video on your desktop
Embedding an online video (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo) is possible in PowerPoint 2007 and 2010 but not 2008 and 2011

Resources

Top Ten Slide Tips by Garr Reynolds
So You Want to Be a PowerPoint Superstar?: A great list of tutorials for punching up your PowerPoints.
UBC's official copyright information site
Creative Commons official website. Go here to learn about the six different kinds of Creative Commons (CC) licenses, as well as links to rich sources of CC licensed images, audio clips, music and other multimedia objects.

Part 3: Tools

There are many tools for taking your presentations to the next level. If you are placing your slides online or sharing them via e-mail, please make sure that you have proper copyright permissions for all images, audio and video clips in your presentation.

PowerPoint

Pros: ubiquity, compatibility, familiarity, comfort, support
Cons: Old, complicated functionality, unprofessional clipart and audio clips
pptPlex Windows Only Plugin that installs zooming and panning tools

Slideshare

upload PPT slides (also DOC and PDF files)
share on the web
easy to use

SlideRocket

upload PPT slides
add videos and photos easily
change themes and animations on the fly
share on the web
easy to medium difficulty

Other Tools

Brainshark

upload PPT slides
add audio narration
include other media including videos, documents, and URL slides
share on the web
medium to hard difficulty

Prezi

create presentation using one giant canvas with zooming and panning
allows embedding of videos and hyperlinks
share on the web
can be very difficult to use

Resources

Cloud Based Presentation Tools by Jennifer Hull
Why should you move beyond slides? by Adam Somlai-Fischer
Presentation Zen Garr Reynolds' blog on "issues related to professional presentation design."