PowerPoint Presentation Best Practices and GPS Project Overview

Creating Great PowerPoint Presentations

  • Purpose of Lecture: Prepare for GPS project (10% of grade) and final exam (15% of grade).

Agenda

  • Creating a great PowerPoint presentation.
  • Using the notes pane (required for GPS).
  • Preparing for the presentation (final exam).
  • Best practices for delivering the presentation.

Experience Level with PowerPoint

  • PowerPoint is a standard presentation software.
  • Many features may be new.

Slide Design Best Practices

  • Slide Design.
  • Backgrounds.
  • Images.
  • Text and Layout.

Slide Design Themes

  • Use the "Design" tab to select themes.
  • Choose a theme that correlates with content without being distracting.
  • Greenville Tech has its own slide deck with the GTC logo.
  • Themes should enhance the message, not detract from it.

Backgrounds

  • Color arrangement should provide good contrast.
  • Dark background with dark text is not readable.
  • Colors should be audience-appropriate and visually appealing.
  • Backgrounds should engage, not distract, the audience.

Simple Text and Layout

  • Backgrounds should be visually appealing.
  • Less is more; avoid flashy graphics that overpower the message.

Templates and Layouts

  • Use the "Home" tab to find templates.
  • Include title, content, and reference slides.
  • Experiment with PowerPoint to get comfortable before starting the GPS project.
  • Choose templates appropriate for the audience, material, and desired effect.

Slide Transitions

  • Use transitions found under the "Transitions" tab to engage the audience.
  • Transitions should be purposeful and not distracting.
  • Transitions can be applied to text to reveal it line by line.

Graphics

  • Graphics can enhance the presentation but can also be distracting.
  • Insert pictures using "Insert Picture" for better quality than copy-pasting.
  • Images should be appropriately sized, positioned, and enhancing.
  • Avoid too many images or images that don't relate to the message.

Text on Slide

  • Text should be large enough to be seen from the back of the room (at least size 24).
  • Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
  • Avoid full paragraphs; use short bulleted points.
  • Slides should supplement the presentation, not be read verbatim.
  • Color and contrast should complement the presentation.
  • Check spelling and grammar.

Slides That Need Improvement

  • Example 1: Long sentences, bad color contrast, distracting image.
  • Solution: Use bullet points, clear images as backgrounds, appropriate image.
  • Example 2: Too many distracting colors.
  • Solution: Concise organizational chart using shapes instead of distracting images.
  • Example 3: Hard-to-read fonts.
  • Solution: Consistent font style, size, and color throughout the presentation.
  • Avoid excessive capitalization, bolding, italics, and underlining.

References

  • Include a reference slide in APA or MLA format.
  • Use resources like Owl Purdue University Online Writing Center and the Greenville Technical College library.

GPS Project

  • Use the notes page for the GPS project.
  • Type out the entire presentation for each slide in the notes pane.
  • Submit the slide presentation with the attached notes page through Blackboard.

Image Quality

  • Inserting images directly is better than copying and pasting to avoid blurriness.

Delivering the Presentation (Final Project)

  • Professionalism counts.
  • Dress appropriately, articulate words clearly, and practice the presentation.
  • Stand, face the audience, make eye contact, and don't read verbatim.
  • Use bullet points to expand upon information.

Additional Resources

  • Greenville Tech Library databases, YouTube for PowerPoint tutorials, Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) for APA/MLA.

Blackboard and GPS Project Details

  • GPS project due July 6 (approximately two weeks and five days from recording).
  • Located in week five module on Blackboard.
  • GPS Project Options:
    • Option A: Goal to obtain a bachelor's degree or university transfer.
    • Option B: Career choice if not transferring.

Grading Rubric

  • The grading rubric details how the GPS project is graded.
  • Look at the rubric to see the criteria and how to maximize points.

Conclusion

  • Start working on the GPS project early.
  • Review the PDF instructions and grading rubric.
  • Reach out for help if needed.