The Power of Design10 ways to optimize your

PowerPoints for Distance Learning

Distance Learning and Instructional Media ServicesNelson Poynter Memorial Library

University of South Florida St. Petersburg

PowerPoints that work well in other settings may need some ‘tweaking’ for online audiences

Your PowerPoints will be shrunken down and harder to read when recorded and put online

Here are some helpful tips

Planning for the Online Student

Your PowerPoint will be shrunken down when students view them

Small font sizes can be difficult to read To compensate, use at least size 32 font

May vary depending on font type

#1 Font Size

Stick to standard, legible font types Maintain consistency throughout all slides◦Keep all headings same font type◦Keep all body text same font type

#2 Font Type

Use high contrast colors (vs. low contrast)

Maintain consistency◦‘Headings’ and ‘Body Text’ colors

consistent throughout presentation

#3 Font Color

Max of 3 different colors (for entire presentation)

When in doubt: Use black and white

#3 Font Color

Be direct: keep sentences short and to the point

Use bulleted lists of key points when possible

Avoid lengthy descriptions / paragraphs

#4 Content

Leave white space on all sides (edges) of the PowerPoint slides

Can’t fit all of your information onto one slide using the previous tips?

Break it up into multiple slides!

#4 Content

Online students associate underlining with hyperlinks

If you want to show emphasis use Bold or Italics

◦Avoid using only color to convey meaning, some cannot perceive it

#5 Avoid Underlining (if not a link)

Only use images that directly support, add context to, or help explain a concept

Avoid ‘fluff’ images – these take up valuable slide space and are distracting for some people

#6 Images

Alternative (Alt) text is a textual description of the image

Include alt text for all of your images (for students with visual impairments)

#6 Images (Alternative Text)

Right-click on image and Select “Size and Position”

Select “Alt Text” tab, delete file name, input alt text

Select “Close”

#6 Images (Alt Text Process)

Decorative Images (i.e. borders, dividers)◦Insert one blank space for alt text

Long Descriptions (i.e. graphs, charts)◦Include within Slide Notes (indicate this

within Alt Text)

#6 Images (Alt Text Process)

Include graphs and charts only as necessary◦(Do I need this graph/chart to explain the

concept?) Provide title for the chart (main idea) Don’t overcrowd the slide with text

#7 Graphs and Charts

Graphs and Charts are often very hard to read, so make them as large as possible

Include a description of the graph / chart (and what it is meant to convey) in the notes section of the slide (indicate this within Alt Text)

#7 Graphs and Charts

Use descriptive hyperlinks to websites Instead of…

For policy information: http://www.usf.edu/techsupport.alc3/learn.policy

Try…

Policy Information Website

#8 Hyperlinks

Highlight the text you want to make a link

Right-click, select “Hyperlink” Type / paste the website URL where it says ‘address’

Click ‘Ok’

#8 Hyperlinks (Process)

Use templates / layouts provided by Microsoft

Type in appropriate areas◦i.e. Type title in “Click to add title”◦i.e. Add body text in “Click to add text”

#9 Layouts

Please don’t use them! May create problems with Assistive Technology

Cannot be used with our recording software

#10 Slide Transitions

There are many useful tips that one should follow in order to produce PowerPoint slides that are optimized for a distance learning environment. Although you may be experienced creating presentations on your own for use in classrooms or in other professional settings, and work well in those settings, online students present a unique challenge. In order for slides to be visible, clear, and helpful for online students, we have prepared several guidelines that may help you design slides that are optimized for the world of online learning.

Remember to keep your sentences short, avoid lengthy paragraphs, use images only when appropriate, maintain color consistency, try not to overcrowd a slide, and break up a single, overcrowded slide into two or more slides if necessary.

If you would like more information, please visit:http://www.visitthissite.helppts.learn.usf.edu/hlp/qwe.suggestions.dcl1.forwhepan.3.com

Example Slide (before)

Although the previous slide is okay, let’s apply some of our tips to try and optimize our slide for Online Students…

Review

Tips for PowerPoint development:◦Be direct◦Be consistent◦Avoid information overload◦Avoid ‘fluff’ images

For more information, visit the website Help with PowerPoints

Example Slide (after)