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Top tips for inclusive Powerpoints

Find out morewww.city.ac.uk/learning-success

Recommendations from students

Provide slides before lectures and recordings of lectures afterwards

Use a logical sequence of points and expand on each point

Use fewer words and double line spacing

Use relevant pictures

Use the City template with the off-white background, not a white background.

Additional recommendations

Provide slides two days before lectures, making lectures more accessible

City’s brand guidelines specify that Arial font must be used for all Microsoft Office applications. Arial font is easier to read.

Use left-justified text for ease of reading

Save slides on the Virtual Learning Environment in a way that students can personalise, e.g. Powerpoint files.

“I found the Powerpoints with double line spacing much easier to read – I was actually more inclined to read the whole slide whereas with slides with more text I found I skim read.”

“There weren’t many Powerpoint slides with pictures – only a couple which were helpful, so perhaps more next time.”

Student testimonials

“Having the presentation prior really helped.”

These recommendations are based on a research study carried out at City, University of London in which students were asked their views on adjustments to Powerpoint slides (tiny.cc/inclusivity-study). These adjustments are recommended for people with specific learning differences such as dyslexia.

The vast majority of the students, regardless of learning difference, found these changes helpful. Therefore making these improvements when using Powerpoint slides is good inclusive practice as they support the majority of students, regardless of their learning difference.

For full details and the British Dyslexia Association Style Guidetiny.cc/style-guide

Find the Moodle Module Page Checklist on the Staff Educational Technology Guidance websitetiny.cc/moodle-checklist