10 uses of powerpoint in education

10 Ways to Apply PowerPoint in Education

Updated: Nov 27, 2022

While at school and college, students are learning to incorporate various tools into the education process for better results. However, while some devices seem to be already deeply integrated into education, others are still falling behind just because teachers and students still don't understand how to apply them.

One of the handiest tools that still requires attention is PowerPoint. Lots of schools and other educational facilities are using it rarely to create presentations, but they still don't realize that there is much more to it.

If we dig deeper, we can find plenty of practical ways to apply this tool in education. All you need is a bit of creativity, and this universal and beneficial tool will help you gain the best result!

How to make the most efficient use of PowerPoint in the classroom? Below, we have gathered some of the best tips!

For Students

Self-study sessions.

Everyone knows that a considerable part of students' activities (especially when they are already at college) depends on self-learning. In their spare time, young people make notes, search for additional materials, and now, there is another excellent tool for your self-study sessions!

There are plenty of helpful PowerPoint presentations online that can help youngsters learn better.

Visual Interpretations

Facing a complex topic, many students spend days and nights trying to grasp the main idea. That's when they are missing out on the most significant benefit of using PowerPoint as a tool for education! Building visual interpretations of phenomena, facts, events, and other things, one creates associations that help memorize the terms better!

Moreover, never underestimate the power of visualization. Know that any complicated information on your most researched essay may be presented via PowerPoint. If you feel anxious about crafting the presentation itself, note that there is always a way to ask for professional help.

Creative Writing and Poetry

The homework assigned during the course of different creative subjects often lacks visualization. However, with the help of PowerPoint, students can disclose more of their creative potential and turn a regular assignment into the real piece of art. This will increase engagement in the classroom and also teach students valuable tech skills. Also, you can visit sites like Studycrumb for more practical advice on writing a variety of content

Creating a PowerPoint presentation on a historical event or another academic topic, students generally memorize the given material better as they need to draw the key points and facts from it. Thus, making group or individual slideshows can help gain more in-depth knowledge.

Test Preparation

In many cases, visualizing the educational material helps students memorize it faster than they would do if they just read it in the textbook. This fact makes PowerPoint a truly universal tool for covering the material. Thus, creating quick visual notes can be extremely handy during exam preparation.

For Teachers

Interactive classes.

PowerPoint is perfect for making your lessons more interactive! This tool allows incorporating different types of fun activities that will contribute to faster and better learning in the classroom!

One of the easiest ways to start using PowerPoint in the classroom is to prepare fun, interactive quizzes with its help. It will be fun for the whole class because instead of the piece of paper and a pen, students can interact with each other and watch a neat visual presentation meanwhile.

Instructions for Lab Sessions

As a rule, during any laboratory session, a teacher needs to provide the students with detailed guidelines for further assignments. Doing so with the help of a slideshow is easy and convenient.

First of all, this automates the learning process and, most importantly, when all the instructions are displayed on the monitor for the whole class to see, this minimizes the number of mistakes to be made by students.

Charts and Graphs

Statistical data is always a great way to support a specific statement or fact, so this is something teachers are dealing with all the time. Providing this data in a visual form helps learners perceive and memorize the material better. Thus, using a presentation for sharing graphs and charts is a great idea!

Educational Games

Speaking of younger learners, they also can benefit if teachers start using PowerPoint for educational purposes. It is not a secret that youngsters perceive information the best in the form of games, and this tool allows teachers to prepare fun, interactive, and educational lessons with ease!

Final Words

PowerPoint has been around for a while. However, it seems like we are just getting started discovering its full potential.

This smart tool for creating presentations can actually come in handy in numerous ways, be you at home, workplace, or school!

Wrapping up, let's look at some of the biggest pros of integrating PowerPoint into the educational program:

● It motivates students when used right;

● It allows adding more creativity and interactivity into the classroom;

● It is fun, so students should enjoy both watching and making such presentations;

● With the right approach, it can help schools accommodate all learners' needs.

These are just some of the most significant pros of using PowerPoint! Thus, it is fair to say that this tool should be integrated into every modern learning program for creativity, engagement, and performance boost!

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What Are the Key Benefits of Using PowerPoint in Teaching and Learning?

Table of Contents

The Importance of PowerPoint Presentation in Teaching

An education-based PowerPoint presentation templates have become an integral part of teaching in today’s classrooms. They provide educators with a versatile tool for delivering engaging and interactive lessons. PPT presentations also offer numerous benefits for students, including the ability to improve concentration and comprehension levels.

Additionally, by using PowerPoint slides in conjunction with other instructional materials, such as textbooks and handouts, teachers can ensure that all students are able to access the information being presented in class. PowerPoint presentations can be a powerful tool for teaching and learning when used effectively.

The main reason behind this is that PowerPoint presentations enable you to interact with your audience psychologically. So, here we’re going to discuss the power of PowerPoint in education.

In most cases, presentations are designed for businesses and applied very commonly in business areas. Moreover, presentation slides are likewise used in the education sector and can make your educational or research content compelling.

Let’s get started. Scroll now to read the key benefits of using PowerPoint in teaching and learning .

Why PowerPoint Templates Are the Best Tool for Teaching?

PowerPoint templates are an excellent tool for teaching. They provide a consistent and professional look to your presentations and help keep your ideas organized. Presentation templates also make updating and changing your slides easy, so you can always keep your presentations fresh and up-to-date.

When teaching a subject like biology, getting your audience interested in what you have to say is essential. PowerPoint templates can help you set the tone for your presentation and reinforce the type of content you will discuss. There are various templates out there, so you can find one that will let you teach your subject efficiently and keep things neat and organized.

In addition, PPT slides can be easily shared with other teachers so that you can collaborate on projects and assignments. Overall, PowerPoint templates are a versatile and valuable tool for any teacher. With their help, you can create engaging and informative presentations to help your students learn and succeed.

How PowerPoint Templates Let You Engage Your Students or Audience?

At present, it’s more important than ever to be able to engage your audience. Whether you’re giving a PPT presentation to a group of students or speaking to a potential client, you need to be able to capture their attention and keep them engaged.

One way to do this is by using PowerPoint templates. With templates, you can create visually appealing and informative presentations. By using engaging visuals and helpful content, you can ensure that your audience stays interested in what you’re saying.

In addition, templates can help you save time when creating presentations. All you need to do with everything already laid out for you is add your content. Accordingly, templates can help you create professional and effective presentations.

Although presentation skills are essential for everyone, they are particularly important for educators. After all, a large part of a teacher’s job is to present information to students engagingly and effectively. Fortunately, there are some simple tips that can help to improve any presentation.

• First, it is important to be well prepared. This means clearly understanding the material that will be covered and knowing how to effectively communicate it to the audience.
• It is also significant to be aware of the audience’s level of knowledge and adjust the presentation accordingly.
• Finally, it is significant to be confident and keep the presentation interesting using various techniques such as humor, stories, or multimedia elements.

By following these tips, any teacher can deliver a successful presentation.

How to Create an Educational Presentation Quickly?

PowerPoint templates are a great way to teach your students detailed data. For your lessons to be practical, you need your students to focus and pay attention, so having templates allows them the tools they need to learn more effectively.

It’s a wise way of helping children in school hone their PowerPoint skills. Many children feel overwhelmed when they have to start creating presentations from scratch-templates give them a structure they can follow and tweak to make their own.

Additionally, templates can be reused multiple times, which saves you time in the long run. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that PowerPoint templates are becoming increasingly popular in educational settings.

If you’re finding a way to help, your students learn more effectively, consider using PowerPoint templates in your next lesson.

However, you can create an informative and engaging presentation with some preparation and organization. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Choose a subject that is interesting and relevant to your audience.
• Gather information and resources on the topic.
• Outline your presentation content.
• Create visuals or slides to accompany your presentation content.
• Practice giving your presentation.
• Time yourself so you can keep it within the desired time frame.

Let’s walk through the best practices to create a unique educational PPT presentation.

Choose a Subject That Is Interesting and Relevant to Your Audience

When creating an educational PowerPoint, choosing a subject that is interesting and relevant to your audience is essential.

This will help engage the audience and ensure that they learn from the presentation.

Also, choosing a relevant topic will help keep the audience’s attention focused on the PowerPoint. There are a few different ways to determine what subject would be most exciting and pertinent to your audience. One way is to consider the age range of the audience.

Another way is to think about what type of information would be most helpful to them. Additionally, you can research the interests of the audience ahead of time. Considering these factors, you can choose a subject for your PowerPoint that will be both interesting and relevant to your audience.

Gather Information and Resources on the Topic

If you want to create an educational PPT presentation, it’s essential to gather information and resources on your topic first. This will ensure that the PowerPoint is informative and accurate.

There are a few different ways to go about gathering information. One option is to do some online research. Another option is to visit a library and look for books or articles on the topic.

Once you have brought together all the necessary information, you can start putting together your PowerPoint presentation. Remember to include only appropriate information and to present it in an organized and visually appealing way.

If a little effort is put into creating a PowerPoint, you can come up with an educational presentation that you will like.

Outline Your Presentation Content

You will need to describe your content thoroughly when creating educational PowerPoint slides. This will be useful to organize your thoughts and ensure that your presentation is cohesive and informative. Begin by brainstorming the main points that you want to cover.

Then, create an introductory presentation outline, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Once you have a general overview of your content, you can begin to flesh out the details. In the body of your presentation, include supporting evidence for each point you make.

In conclusion, summarize the key points of your presentation and leave your audience with something to think about. By wisely and efficiently editing and structuring your content, you can create a captivating and interactive PowerPoint lesson that is both informative and interesting.

Create Visuals or Slides to Accompany Your Presentation Content

You must include visual components to reveal information in an instructional PowerPoint presentation. It will help to engage the audience and provide them with a more immersive experience.

Additionally, visuals can help clarify and strengthen the key points you are trying to communicate. If used effectively, they can also help to add interest and excitement to your presentation.

When choosing visuals, be sure to select ones that are high quality and relevant to your topic. Avoid using too many visuals, as this can overwhelm your audience.

Instead, focus on choosing a few useful visuals to support your presentation and help your audience understand your message better.

Practice Giving Your Presentation

Whether you are allowed to give a speech, practice builds expertise. By practicing your presentation, you can ensure that you are delivering your material in the most effective way possible.

Being careful with your delivery, body language, and overall clarity is essential when practicing. Remember that eye contact is key and that you want to project confidence in your ability to speak on the topic at hand.

It can also be helpful to tape-record yourself so that you can listen back and identify areas that may need improvement. With a bit of practice, you will be capable of giving an educative and memorable presentation.

Time Yourself So You Can Keep It Within the Desired Time Frame

If you’re planning for an educational presentation, it’s important to time yourself stay within the desired time frame. This can be exceptionally important if you’re giving a presentation to a group of students who have a limited attention span.

You can ensure that your presentation stays on track and doesn’t run over by timing yourself. There are a few different ways to time yourself. One option is to use a stopwatch or timer.

Another option for keeping track of where you are in your presentation is periodically checking the clock.

Whichever method you choose, ensure you give yourself enough time to practice to stay within the desired time frame when giving your presentation.

How an Educational PowerPoint Presentation Skyrocket Your Success

A well-designed PowerPoint slide can be the key to success in any educational setting. A PowerPoint presentation can help students grasp complex concepts and remember key points by organizing visually appealing and easy-to-understand information.

Additionally, a PPT presentation can add excitement and interest to a dull lecture or dry text. When used effectively, a PowerPoint presentation can engage students and encourage them to participate actively in learning.

As a result, an investment in a professional educational PowerPoint presentation can pay off handsomely in terms of student success.

PowerPoint templates are must-haves for both inexperienced and veteran educators. One of the top reasons is that it saves hours of manual work and struggles.

For instance, if you’ve picked a premium customizable education PPT template, it only requires a couple of minutes to edit and craft your presentation layout. It means you can develop professional PPT presentation infographics within half an hour.

There are countless templates that educators can use for a wide variety of subjects, including maths, science, humanities studies like literature and history, and many more.

It allows your children to have a hands-on, experiment-based curriculum where they can visualize key concepts while paying attention to multimedia elements tools provided by PowerPoint templates along the way.

Now, let’s walk through the top tips to present an impactful educational PPT presentation that will comprehensively drive knowledge to your potential audience.

• Arrange your presentation objective in a way that attracts your audience and familiarizes the area of discussion in seconds. You can use animated PPT templates or other visual aids to make it attractive and appealing.
• Try to insert at least one brief one-liner highlighting the relevance and benefits of learning that particular topic.
• Include self-image or videos to personalize your presentation content.
• Add animations and slide transitions to explain the key learning steps.
• Include charts, maps, infographics , images, and graphs that illustrate your topic at hand. A well-organized chart could be vital to driving your point home. Regarding corporate PowerPoint presentations , adding Gantt Charts and other business-related details is better.
• Avoid having several ideas on one single slide. It may overwhelm your viewers.
• Leave a little more white space around each element in your PPT slide.
• No need to add every sentence you intend to speak on your PowerPoint slide. Instead, add sharp points that are easily read and comprehended. Then, explain it.

It is not surprising that technology has fundamentally changed education. In former times, the only way to learn about a topic was to hear a lecture from a professor in a classroom. Today, virtual presentations have become an essential tool for educators. There are many reasons why online presentations are so valuable in education. So, learn how to create virtual presentations that capture your audience’s attention .

Advantages of Purchasing Fully Editable PowerPoint Presentation Templates for Teaching

As we discussed above, PowerPoint templates are a great teaching tool for many reasons. They allow the presentation to maintain a uniform look and feel, which is key for understanding the message. Moreover, it can quickly add sense to your teaching.

It is the only wise choice to purchase a fully-editable premium PowerPoint presentation layout for teaching purposes. Then, you can professionally teach your audience the way you want to educate them.

Here are the top reasons why one should turn to fully editable premium education PPT infographics:

• Fully editable PPT themes for education will let you overcome the stress of starting with a blank slate each time.
• All premium education PowerPoint layouts are made with plenty of ideas and unique designs to effectively present your education or research topic.
• When you have a fully editable PPT theme, you will easily add videos, images, and your brand logo.
• You can edit and customize anything in the layout without losing quality in minutes. There is no need to have any design skills to edit and customize them.
• These editable PowerPoint presentation templates will help you save hours of manual work and confusion.

Top Points to Keep in Mind While Preparing a PowerPoint for Teaching

Characteristics that your students like about education PowerPoint slides are:

• Graphs, charts, and maps can increase the understanding of content.
• Bulleted lists that let them focus on the top ideas.
• Animations and slide transitions are the best visual aids.
• Cliparts and creative layouts.
• Present your ideas in short phrases rather than lengthy paragraphs.
• Spoken words with images are better than pictures with text.

Note: Cliparts are the perfect choice to get your audience’s attention in seconds. It is helpful in education PowerPoint presentations for small children and students. However, try to avoid Cliparts if your presentation is for technical students or medical students.

Characteristics that your students don’t like about education PowerPoint slides are:

• Too many ideas on a single slide.
• Templates with too many colors.
• Irrelevant images and WordArts decrease understanding and learning compared to presentation layouts with no picture or animation.

Find the Best Education PowerPoint Presentation Slides for Teaching

PowerPoint presentations have a great power to share your ideas comprehensively, especially for educational purposes. Therefore, picking the suitable PowerPoint presentation template that fits well will help you significantly convey your presentation.

Moreover, choosing the appropriate theme or design is the base part of the entire PPT presentation.

There may be several PPTs available in the free source, but always remember that they may not assure you the quality and features needed for a powerful PowerPoint template.

Therefore, it will be wise to pick a premium PPT template designed by professionals . Selecting an ideal template for creating an attention-grabbing educational presentation is crucial if you wish to make your presentation’s tone professional. Thus, say goodbye to typical, boring PowerPoint templates that ruin your presentation.

Explore the top highlights of our exclusive educational PowerPoint presentation template below:

• 100% Fully editable PowerPoint slides & design elements.
• 2 Aspect ratio (4:3 & 16:9).
• One-time purchase (Free download for life).
• Unlimited downloads (Come back anytime to download the files again).
• Lifetime free updates (We update by adding more slides regularly).
• Lifetime free customer care support.

There you can view the best-in-quality education or research topic presentation themes designed by our expert graphic designers.

You can find a selection of creative, unique PPT themes here at FlySlides , in addition to education PowerPoint templates or research presentation PPT slides. All our premium PowerPoint templates are fully customizable and come with unlimited download and update options.

Besides our PPT templates, we also have a tremendous selection of fully customizable Keynote presentation templates and Google Slides themes . So it’s up to you to select your preference. With FlySlides, you can quickly create your education presentations on PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides.

You can also refer to:

• Tips to Develop a Powerful Business Presentation .
• 10 Proven Tips to Make a Great Sales Presentation .

What’s more, Look into our library and take a look at our templates. They’re available in as many presentations as you want and skyrocket your success as a PowerPoint presenter. Why waste your precious time? Just explore our top selection of PowerPoint presentation layouts for education and find the best templates for your next presentation .

Written by FlySlides Editorial Team

FlySlides is one of the leading and high-quality Free and Premium PowerPoint, Google Slides & Keynotes Templates providers on the internet.

FlySlides is one of the leading and high-quality premium PowerPoint, Google Slides & Keynotes Templates provider on the internet

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• Instructional Guide

Teaching with PowerPoint

When effectively planned and used, PowerPoint (or similar tools, like Google Slides) can enhance instruction. People are divided on the effectiveness of this ubiquitous presentation program—some say that PowerPoint is wonderful while others bemoan its pervasiveness. No matter which side you take, PowerPoint does offer effective ways to enhance instruction when used and designed appropriately.

PowerPoint can be an effective tool to present material in the classroom and encourage student learning. You can use PowerPoint to project visuals that would otherwise be difficult to bring to class. For example, in an anthropology class, a single PowerPoint presentation could project images of an anthropological dig from a remote area, questions asking students about the topic, a chart of related statistics, and a mini quiz about what was just discussed that provides students with information that is visual, challenging, and engaging.

PowerPoint can be an effective tool to present material in the classroom and encourage student learning.

This section is organized in three major segments: Part I will help faculty identify and use basic but important design elements, Part II will cover ways to enhance teaching and learning with PowerPoint, and Part III will list ways to engage students with PowerPoint.

PART I: Designing the PowerPoint Presentation

Accessibility.

• Student accessibility—students with visual or hearing impairments may not be able to fully access a PowerPoint presentation, especially those with graphics, images, and sound.
• Use an accessible layout. Built-in slide template layouts were designed to be accessible: “the reading order is the same for people with vision and for people who use assistive technology such as screen readers” (University of Washington, n.d.). If you want to alter the layout of a theme, use the Slide Master; this will ensure your slides will retain accessibility.
• Use unique and specific slide titles so students can access the material they need.
• Consider how you display hyperlinks. Since screen readers read what is on the page, you may want to consider creating a hyperlink using a descriptive title instead of displaying the URL.
• All visuals and tables should include alt text. Alt text should describe the visual or table in detail so that students with visual impairments can “read” the images with their screen readers. Avoid using too many decorative visuals.
• All video and audio content should be captioned for students with hearing impairments. Transcripts can also be useful as an additional resource, but captioning ensures students can follow along with what is on the screen in real-time.
• Simplify your tables. If you use tables on your slides, ensure they are not overly complex and do not include blank cells. Screen readers may have difficulty providing information about the table if there are too many columns and rows, and they may “think” the table is complete if they come to a blank cell.
• Set a reading order for text on your slides. The order that text appears on the slide may not be the reading order of the text. Check that your reading order is correct by using the Selection Pane (organized bottom-up).
• Use Microsoft’s Accessibility Checker to identify potential accessibility issues in your completed PowerPoint. Use the feedback to improve your PowerPoint’s accessibility. You could also send your file to the Disability Resource Center to have them assess its accessibility (send it far in advance of when you will need to use it).
• Save your PowerPoint presentation as a PDF file to distribute to students with visual impairments.

Preparing for the presentation

• Consider time and effort in preparing a PowerPoint presentation; give yourself plenty of lead time for design and development.
• PowerPoint is especially useful when providing course material online. Consider student technology compatibility with PowerPoint material put on the web; ensure images and graphics have been compressed for access by computers using dial-up connection.

PowerPoint is especially useful when providing course material online.

• Be aware of copyright law when displaying course materials, and properly cite source material. This is especially important when using visuals obtained from the internet or other sources. This also models proper citation for your students.
• Think about message interpretation for PowerPoint use online: will students be able to understand material in a PowerPoint presentation outside of the classroom? Will you need to provide notes and/or other material to help students understand complex information, data, or graphics?
• If you will be using your own laptop, make sure the classroom is equipped with the proper cables, drivers, and other means to display your presentation the way you have intended.

Slide content

• Avoid text-dense slides. It’s better to have more slides than trying to place too much text on one slide. Use brief points instead of long sentences or paragraphs and outline key points rather than transcribing your lecture. Use PowerPoint to cue and guide the presentation.
• Use the Notes feature to add content to your presentation that the audience will not see. You can access the Notes section for each slide by sliding the bottom of the slide window up to reveal the notes section or by clicking “View” and choosing “Notes Page” from the Presentation Views options.
• Relate PowerPoint material to course objectives to reinforce their purpose for students.

Number of slides

• As a rule of thumb, plan to show one slide per minute to account for discussion and time and for students to absorb the material.
• Reduce redundant or text-heavy sentences or bullets to ensure a more professional appearance.
• Incorporate active learning throughout the presentation to hold students’ interest and reinforce learning.

Emphasizing content

• Use italics, bold, and color for emphasizing content.
• Use of a light background (white, beige, yellow) with dark typeface or a dark background (blue, purple, brown) with a light typeface is easy to read in a large room.
• Avoid using too many colors or shifting colors too many times within the presentation, which can be distracting to students.
• Avoid using underlines for emphasis; underlining typically signifies hypertext in digital media.

Use of a light background with dark typeface or a dark background with a light typeface is easy to read in a large room.

• Limit the number of typeface styles to no more than two per slide. Try to keep typeface consistent throughout your presentation so it does not become a distraction.
• Avoid overly ornate or specialty fonts that may be harder for students to read. Stick to basic fonts so as not to distract students from the content.
• Ensure the typeface is large enough to read from anywhere in the room: titles and headings should be no less than 36-40-point font. The subtext should be no less than 32-point font.

Clip art and graphics

• Use clip art and graphics sparingly. Research shows that it’s best to use graphics only when they support the content. Irrelevant graphics and images have been proven to hinder student learning.
• Photographs can be used to add realism. Again, only use photographs that are relevant to the content and serve a pedagogical purpose. Images for decorative purposes are distracting.
• Size and place graphics appropriately on the slide—consider wrapping text around a graphic.
• Use two-dimensional pie and bar graphs rather than 3D styles which can interfere with the intended message.

Use clip art and graphics sparingly. Research shows that it’s best to use graphics only when they support the content.

Animation and sound

• Add motion, sound, or music only when necessary. When in doubt, do without.
• Avoid distracting animations and transitions. Excessive movement within or between slides can interfere with the message and students find them distracting. Avoid them or use only simple screen transitions.

Final check

• Check for spelling, correct word usage, flow of material, and overall appearance of the presentation.
• Colleagues can be helpful to check your presentation for accuracy and appeal. Note: Errors are more obvious when they are projected.
• Schedule at least one practice session to check for timing and flow.
• PowerPoint’s Slide Sorter View is especially helpful to check slides for proper sequencing as well as information gaps and redundancy. You can also use the preview pane on the left of the screen when you are editing the PowerPoint in “Normal” view.
• Prepare for plan “B” in case you have trouble with the technology in the classroom: how will you provide material located on your flash drive or computer? Have an alternate method of instruction ready (printing a copy of your PowerPoint with notes is one idea).

PowerPoint’s Slide Sorter View is especially helpful to check slides for proper sequencing and information gaps and redundancy.

PowerPoint Handouts

PowerPoint provides multiple options for print-based handouts that can be distributed at various points in the class.

Before class: students might like having materials available to help them prepare and formulate questions before the class period.

During class: you could distribute a handout with three slides and lines for notes to encourage students to take notes on the details of your lecture so they have notes alongside the slide material (and aren’t just taking notes on the slide content).

After class: some instructors wait to make the presentation available after the class period so that students concentrate on the presentation rather than reading ahead on the handout.

Never: Some instructors do not distribute the PowerPoint to students so that students don’t rely on access to the presentation and neglect to pay attention in class as a result.

• PowerPoint slides can be printed in the form of handouts—with one, two, three, four, six, or nine slides on a page—that can be given to students for reference during and after the presentation. The three-slides-per-page handout includes lined space to assist in note-taking.
• Notes Pages. Detailed notes can be printed and used during the presentation, or if they are notes intended for students, they can be distributed before the presentation.
• Outline View. PowerPoint presentations can be printed as an outline, which provides all the text from each slide. Outlines offer a welcome alternative to slide handouts and can be modified from the original presentation to provide more or less information than the projected presentation.

The Presentation

Alley, Schreiber, Ramsdell, and Muffo (2006) suggest that PowerPoint slide headline design “affects audience retention,” and they conclude that “succinct sentence headlines are more effective” in information recall than headlines of short phrases or single words (p. 233). In other words, create slide titles with as much information as is used for newspapers and journals to help students better understand the content of the slide.

• PowerPoint should provide key words, concepts, and images to enhance your presentation (but PowerPoint should not replace you as the presenter).
• Avoid reading from the slide—reading the material can be perceived as though you don’t know the material. If you must read the material, provide it in a handout instead of a projected PowerPoint slide.
• Avoid moving a laser pointer across the slide rapidly. If using a laser pointer, use one with a dot large enough to be seen from all areas of the room and move it slowly and intentionally.

Avoid reading from the slide—reading the material can be perceived as though you don’t know the material.

• Use a blank screen to allow students to reflect on what has just been discussed or to gain their attention (Press B for a black screen or W for a white screen while delivering your slide show; press these keys again to return to the live presentation). This pause can also be used for a break period or when transitioning to new content.
• Stand to one side of the screen and face the audience while presenting. Using Presenter View will display your slide notes to you on the computer monitor while projecting only the slides to students on the projector screen.
• Leave classroom lights on and turn off lights directly over the projection screen if possible. A completely dark or dim classroom will impede notetaking (and may encourage nap-taking).
• Learn to use PowerPoint efficiently and have a back-up plan in case of technical failure.
• Give yourself enough time to finish the presentation. Trying to rush through slides can give the impression of an unorganized presentation and may be difficult for students to follow or learn.

PART II: Enhancing Teaching and Learning with PowerPoint

Class preparation.

PowerPoint can be used to prepare lectures and presentations by helping instructors refine their material to salient points and content. Class lectures can be typed in outline format, which can then be refined as slides. Lecture notes can be printed as notes pages  (notes pages: Printed pages that display author notes beneath the slide that the notes accompany.) and could also be given as handouts to accompany the presentation.

Multimodal Learning

Using PowerPoint can help you present information in multiple ways (a multimodal approach) through the projection of color, images, and video for the visual mode; sound and music for the auditory mode; text and writing prompts for the reading/writing mode; and interactive slides that ask students to do something, e.g. a group or class activity in which students practice concepts, for the kinesthetic mode (see Part III: Engaging Students with PowerPoint for more details). Providing information in multiple modalities helps improve comprehension and recall for all students.

Providing information in multiple modalities helps improve comprehension and recall for all students.

Type-on Live Slides

PowerPoint allows users to type directly during the slide show, which provides another form of interaction. These write-on slides can be used to project students’ comments and ideas for the entire class to see. When the presentation is over, the new material can be saved to the original file and posted electronically. This feature requires advanced preparation in the PowerPoint file while creating your presentation. For instructions on how to set up your type-on slide text box, visit this tutorial from AddictiveTips .  

Write or Highlight on Slides

PowerPoint also allows users to use tools to highlight or write directly onto a presentation while it is live. When you are presenting your PowerPoint, move your cursor over the slide to reveal tools in the lower-left corner. One of the tools is a pen icon. Click this icon to choose either a laser pointer, pen, or highlighter. You can use your cursor for these options, or you can use the stylus for your smart podium computer monitor or touch-screen laptop monitor (if applicable).  

Just-In-Time Course Material

You can make your PowerPoint slides, outline, and/or notes pages available online 24/7 through Blackboard, OneDrive, other websites. Students can review the material before class, bring printouts to class, and better prepare themselves for listening rather than taking a lot of notes during the class period. They can also come to class prepared with questions about the material so you can address their comprehension of the concepts.

PART III: Engaging Students with PowerPoint

The following techniques can be incorporated into PowerPoint presentations to increase interactivity and engagement between students and between students and the instructor. Each technique can be projected as a separate PowerPoint slide.

Running Slide Show as Students Arrive in the Classroom

This technique provides visual interest and can include a series of questions for students to answer as they sit waiting for class to begin. These questions could be on future texts or quizzes.

• Opening Question : project an opening question, e.g. “Take a moment to reflect on ___.”
• Think of what you know about ___.
• Turn to a partner and share your knowledge about ___.
• Share with the class what you have discussed with your partner.
• Focused Listing helps with recall of pertinent information, e.g. “list as many characteristics of ___, or write down as many words related to ___ as you can think of.”
• Brainstorming stretches the mind and promotes deep thinking and recall of prior knowledge, e.g. “What do you know about ___? Start with your clearest thoughts and then move on to those what are kind of ‘out there.’”
• Questions : ask students if they have any questions roughly every 15 minutes. This technique provides time for students to reflect and is also a good time for a scheduled break or for the instructor to interact with students.
• Note Check : ask students to “take a few minutes to compare notes with a partner,” or “…summarize the most important information,” or “…identify and clarify any sticking points,” etc.
• Questions and Answer Pairs : have students “take a minute to come with one question then see if you can stump your partner!”
• The Two-Minute Paper allows the instructor to check the class progress, e.g. “summarize the most important points of today’s lecture.” Have students submit the paper at the end of class.
• “If You Could Ask One Last Question—What Would It Be?” This technique allows for students to think more deeply about the topic and apply what they have learned in a question format.
• A Classroom Opinion Poll provides a sense of where students stand on certain topics, e.g. “do you believe in ___,” or “what are your thoughts on ___?”
• Muddiest Point allows anonymous feedback to inform the instructor if changes and or additions need to be made to the class, e.g. “What parts of today’s material still confuse you?”
• Most Useful Point can tell the instructor where the course is on track, e.g. “What is the most useful point in today’s material, and how can you illustrate its use in a practical setting?”

Positive Features of PowerPoint

• PowerPoint saves time and energy—once the presentation has been created, it is easy to update or modify for other courses.
• PowerPoint is portable and can be shared easily with students and colleagues.
• PowerPoint supports multimedia, such as video, audio, images, and

PowerPoint supports multimedia, such as video, audio, images, and animation.

Potential Drawbacks of PowerPoint

• PowerPoint could reduce the opportunity for classroom interaction by being the primary method of information dissemination or designed without built-in opportunities for interaction.
• PowerPoint could lead to information overload, especially with the inclusion of long sentences and paragraphs or lecture-heavy presentations with little opportunity for practical application or active learning.
• PowerPoint could “drive” the instruction and minimize the opportunity for spontaneity and creative teaching unless the instructor incorporates the potential for ingenuity into the presentation. 

As with any technology, the way PowerPoint is used will determine its pedagogical effectiveness. By strategically using the points described above, PowerPoint can be used to enhance instruction and engage students.

Alley, M., Schreiber, M., Ramsdell, K., & Muffo, J. (2006). How the design of headlines in presentation slides affects audience retention. Technical Communication, 53 (2), 225-234. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/43090718

University of Washington, Accessible Technology. (n.d.). Creating accessible presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint. Retrieved from https://www.washington.edu/accessibility/documents/powerpoint/  

Selected Resources

Brill, F. (2016). PowerPoint for teachers: Creating interactive lessons. LinkedIn Learning . Retrieved from https://www.lynda.com/PowerPoint-tutorials/PowerPoint-Teachers-Create-Interactive-Lessons/472427-2.html

Huston, S. (2011). Active learning with PowerPoint [PDF file]. DE Oracle @ UMUC . Retrieved from http://contentdm.umuc.edu/digital/api/collection/p16240coll5/id/78/download

Microsoft Office Support. (n.d.). Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible to people with disabilities. Retrieved from https://support.office.com/en-us/article/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities-6f7772b2-2f33-4bd2-8ca7-ae3b2b3ef25

Tufte, E. R. (2006). The cognitive style of PowerPoint: Pitching out corrupts within. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press LLC.

University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine. (n.d.). Active Learning with a PowerPoint. Retrieved from https://www.unmc.edu/com/_documents/active-learning-ppt.pdf

University of Washington, Department of English. (n.d.). Teaching with PowerPoint. Retrieved from https://english.washington.edu/teaching/teaching-powerpoint

Vanderbilt University, Center for Teaching. (n.d.). Making better PowerPoint presentations. Retrieved from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/making-better-powerpoint-presentations/

Suggested citation

Northern Illinois University Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. (2020). Teaching with PowerPoint. In Instructional guide for university faculty and teaching assistants. Retrieved from https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide

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Effective PowerPoint

PowerPoint is common in college classrooms, yet slide technology is not more effective for student learning than other styles of lecture (Levasseur & Sawyer, 2006). While research indicates which practices support learning and clarifies students’ attitudes toward PowerPoint, effective PowerPoint is not an exact science; few rules can be applied universally. Instructors should consider their audience and their pedagogical goals.

What Students Think

Although students do not necessarily learn more when PowerPoint is used, students prefer slide technology and think they learn better from it (Suskind, 2005). Students also rate instructors who use PowerPoint more highly. One study found about a six percent bump in student ratings of instructors who use PowerPoint over those who don’t (Apperson et al., 2006). Students indicate that what they like most about PowerPoint is that it organizes information, keeps them interested, and helps “visual learners” (Hill et al., 2012). They also, however, critique PowerPoint when slides have too many words, irrelevant clip art, unnecessary movement or animations, and too many colors (Vanderbilt University).

Research-Supported Methods

Like all teaching methods, the use of PowerPoint requires that teachers consider and make use of students’ need for variety. If used as one tool among many, lecturing with PowerPoint adds variety to a course, possibly minimizing student distractions (Bunce et al, 2010).

Minimal Text

In the interest of variety, PowerPoint lectures should not be excessively long, but the number of slides used in lectures has no direct impact on teaching effectiveness. However, the amount of text  per slide  is consequential. One study found that slides containing  three or fewer bullet points  and  twenty or fewer words  were more effective than slides with higher density (Brock, et al., 2011). Less text on each slide also reduces the amount of simultaneous delivery of material in text and speech, that is, presenters reading out loud the text on the slide, which is an additional barrier to comprehension. Studies show that audiences comprehend less when the same material is simultaneously delivered by text and speech and that for many settings, audio-only delivery of text is more effective.

This process is explained by the  cognitive load theory , which states that since working memory is limited and each form of presentation of new material (written text, audio instruction, visual diagram, etc.) requires its own allotment of working memory to process, the amount of working memory available for learning is hindered by unnecessary redundancies in presentation. These effects are more pronounced when multiple presentations of information are processed in the same cognitive domain—such as audio instructions and visual text, both processed in the language domain, known as the “phonological loop” (Kalyuga et al., 2004).

Assertion-Evidence Method

The traditional use of PowerPoint, determined mostly by software programming defaults, involves crafting slides with a topic, question, or theme in the upper banner, followed by text bullet points in the body of the slide. A more effective way to present material is with the  Assertion-Evidence   Method  (see graphic), in which the top banner makes an assertion, written in sentence form (think of crafting the assertion in the style of a newspaper headline). The body of the slide then contains visual evidence of the assertion—if possible, in the form of a simple chart, but pictures and brief text can also serve as evidence. This method has been linked with better understanding and long-term retention (Garner & Alley, 2013).

Traditional Topic and Bullet-Point Method

Practical Tips

The research above—as well as research about learning in general—encourages certain practices when using PowerPoint:

• For variety, use the hyperlink or embed features of PowerPoint to incorporate audio or video media.
• To reduce cognitive load, blank out the projector when answering a question or dealing with an issue not directly related to the slide.
• Also to reduce cognitive load, don’t talk while students are writing. If you have minimal text, the instructor should be able—without much disruption in the flow of oration—to display the text and let students silently read before proceeding to elaborate.
• To encourage  interactive learning , incorporate questions into PowerPoint presentations. These can be used for discussion, pause-and-ponder, brief writing exercises, etc.

Apperson, J., Laws, E., & Scepansky, J. (2006). The impact of presentation graphics on students’ experience in the classroom.  Computers & Education 47 , 116-126.

Brock, S. Joglekar, Y., & Cohen, E. (2011). Empowering PowerPoint: Slides and teaching effectiveness.  Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge & Management, 6 , 85-94.

Bunce, D. M., Flens, E. A., & Neiles, K. Y. (2010). How long can students pay attention in class? A study of student attention using clickers.  Journal of Chemical Education ,  87 (12, 1438-1443.

Garner, J. K., & Alley, M. P (2013). How the design of presentation slides affects audience comprehension: A case for the assertion-evidence approach.  International Journal of Engineering Education, 29 (6), 1564-1579.

Hill, A., Arford, T., Lubitow, A., & Smollin, L. M. (2012). “I’m ambivalent about it”: The dilemmas of PowerPoint.  Teaching Sociology, 40 (3), 242-256.

Kalyuga, S., Chandler, P., & Sweller, J. (2004). When redundant on-screen text in multimedia technical instruction can interfere with learning.  Human Factors, 46 (3), 567-581.

Levasseur, D. G., & Sawyer, J. K. (2006). Pedagogy meets PowerPoint: A research review of the effects of computer-generated slides in the classroom.  The Review of Communication, 6 (1/2), 101-123.

Making better PowerPoint presentations (n.d.). Vanderbilt University, Center for Teaching (webpage). Retrieved from  https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/making-better-powerpoint-presentations/ .

Suskind, J. E. (2005). PowerPoint’s power in the classroom: Enhancing students’ self-efficacy and attitudes.  Computers & Education, 45 (2), 203-215.

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May 22, 2023

The Value of PowerPoint in Education: How to Create Engaging Presentations for Student Success

In the realm of education, students embark on a journey of discovery as they weave together words, visuals, and passion to create captivating presentations. It’s not just about delivering information. It’s an art form that:

• hones communication skills
• sparks curiosity
• unleashes the potential within each student.

Amid the hustle and bustle of academic life, students often find themselves caught in a whirlwind of assignments and deadlines. As they navigate the labyrinth of essays, research papers, and exams, time becomes a precious commodity. Creating a presentation can seem like an insurmountable task when the weight of numerous essays bears down on their shoulders. However, with the click of a button, students can get assistance with their essays online.

There are tons of websites where students can find free examples of essays and learn from them. This can alleviate the burden and reclaim their precious time. Embracing the power of virtual support, they can find expert guidance and well-crafted papers. Students can check, let’s say, modern fast fashion argumentative essay topics to produce more writing ideas. No matter what subject you are studying, you can always find help with your and focus on the presentation.

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A well-crafted PowerPoint can elevate your presentation, capture attention, and enhance understanding.

The importance of presentations

Students are often required to create presentations at school. And no wonder why! There are several reasons for that. Read about them below.

Communication Skills

First of all, it helps students develop and enhance their communication skills. Presentations require them to:

• organize their thoughts
• structure information effectively
• present it in a clear and concise manner.

These skills are essential in various aspects of life, including future careers.

Research and Information Gathering

Presentations usually involve conducting research and gathering relevant information on a particular topic. This process helps students:

• develop their critical thinking skills
• learn how to find reliable sources
• analyze and synthesize information.

Presentation Skills

This form of assignment also develops their public speaking skills. Standing in front of a group and delivering a presentation is a great way to:

• build confidence
• overcome stage fright
• improve their ability to engage and connect with an audience.

Collaboration and Teamwork

In some cases, students may be required to work on presentations as a team. Of course, this encourages:

• collaboration
• cooperation
• the development of teamwork skills.

Students learn how to divide tasks, delegate responsibilities, and work together to create a cohesive and well-rounded presentation.

Subject Mastery

Creating a presentation on a specific topic requires students to comprehend the subject matter. To present information effectively, students need to have a deep understanding of the topic. In turn, this helps them consolidate their knowledge and develop expertise in that area.

Technology Skills

Presentations often involve the use of technology tools. They can be special software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) or multimedia elements (e.g., images, videos). So this way, students become familiar with various technological tools. In fact, they learn how to use them effectively. In the long run, it improves their digital literacy and technological skills.

Assessment and Evaluation

Presentations serve as a form of assessment for teachers. They allow teachers to:

• assess students’ ability to research
• present information.

This form of work also provides an opportunity for students to identify areas for improvement and refine their skills.

Creating an effective PowerPoint presentation

A well-crafted PowerPoint can elevate your presentation, capture attention, and enhance understanding. To help you create it, here’s a step-by-step guide.

Make a plan

Start by outlining the key points and structure of your presentation. Determine the main message you want to convey and identify supporting ideas. Plan the flow of your slides to ensure a logical and coherent sequence.

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is crucial when designing PowerPoint slides. Avoid cluttered layouts and excessive text. Use concise bullet points or visuals to convey your message effectively. Remember, your slides should complement your presentation, not overpower it.

Visual Appeal

Choose visually appealing templates and color schemes that align with your topic and maintain consistency throughout the presentation. Use high-quality images, charts, and graphs to enhance engagement. Limit animations and transitions to maintain a professional and focused atmosphere.

Use Legible Fonts

Select clear and legible fonts that are easy to read. Avoid using decorative or overly stylized fonts that may hinder readability. UInstead, use font sizes that can be comfortably read from a distance, ensuring that all audience members can follow along.

Utilize Visual Hierarchy

Turn to hierarchy techniques to emphasize key points. Use font size, bolding, or color to highlight important information. This helps guide the audience’s attention and ensures that the most critical elements stand out.

Concise Slide Content

Limit the amount of text on each slide to essential points or brief summaries. Avoid lengthy paragraphs or excessive details. Use bullet points or short phrases to convey information concisely. Remember, the audience should listen to you, not read lengthy paragraphs on the screen.

Engage with Multimedia

Incorporate multimedia elements strategically. Embed relevant videos, audio clips, or interactive elements that add value to your content. Use them sparingly and ensure they contribute to the overall message.

Effective Use of Graphics

Don’t forget to include relevant and meaningful graphics to support your message. Charts, graphs, diagrams, and infographics can help visualize:

• comparisons

Ensure that visuals are:

• labeled appropriately
• easily understood by the audience.

Practice and Timing

Practice your presentation with the PowerPoint slides. You must be familiar with the order and content of each slide. You can also practice pacing yourself to align your spoken words with the visual elements effectively.

Rehearse and Seek Feedback

Rehearse your presentation multiple times, focusing on your delivery and timing. Practice your gestures, tone of voice, and eye contact. You can also ask for feedback from peers or teachers to refine your presentation and make necessary improvements.

Final thoughts

Giving a presentation is a great way to impress your teachers with your knowledge. Mastering the art of excellent presentations may improve your academic experience. And it doesn’t matter whether you are presenting a project, sharing research findings, or giving a speech. Hopefully, our detailed breakdown of how to design a presentation will make you stand out from the crowd.

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Microsoft PowerPoint: How to Use It to Teach

Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerful teaching tool and this is how it can help your classroom

Recent updates

This article was updated in October 2023

Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerful slide-based presentation tool that can be used by teachers and students as a way of communicating digitally. This comes as part of the Microsoft Office 365 package so, if your institution uses that, you may already have access to this power tool.

This lets you create presentations from scratch or -- helpfully -- using templates that allow you to input the data you need to end up with a professional finish, fast. Since the software is cloud-based, it can allow you to jump between devices while working on a single project that's also easy to access and share.

Of course there is some very direct competition from Google, which is free. So can Microsoft justify the price that goes with its PowerPoint tool?

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Microsoft PowerPoint for education.

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What is Microsoft PowerPoint?

Microsoft PowerPoint is a slideshow presentation tool; in fact, it was one of the first and is still one of the most famous and widely used. Mainly aimed at business use, PowerPoint is crammed full of powerful features.

For schools already using the Microsoft ecosystem of software, this is a very easy tool to integrate and allows for simple sharing of presentations with students, other teachers, and parents. Go beyond the Microsoft world though and that can become more difficult unless you're using the online specific version of PowerPoint, as opposed to the more feature-rich full software – but more on that in the cost section below.

Microsoft PowerPoint can be used from scratch but also offers a broad library of templates that allow for quick and easy construction of presentations with a high-quality finish. That means the end result can be more engaging and can take far less time and effort to create, both for teachers and students.

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Collaboration, in real-time, is also an option in the case of the online version of PowerPoint, making this useful as a place for students to work together even when physically distanced.

What's new in Microsoft PowerPoint?

In recent months Microsoft has announced a slew of updates. This is nothing new, but for education specifically, these are the points that are of interest. 

Microsoft had added an enhanced Teleprompter view in Recording Studio. This includes an auto scroll feature that allows teachers to easily refer to a script while keeping eye contact in the video recording.

Tasks are a new addition to PowerPoint, which allow teachers to annotate points on student work, so as to assign an action for them to carry out in their work.

Reactions are a useful new feature that let you react to something without having to type words -- letting students know you've seen it, without opening up more dialogue or costing you time.

How does Microsoft PowerPoint work?

Microsoft PowerPoint follows the layout you may have experienced before in Word or Excel. You start with a selection of template options, or a blank start, which brings you into the editing mode. This has the slides down the left of the screen with a larger central part showing the current slide. Above that are the options in word and icon formats.

Editing is very easy, as when you select a section of the slide, that element will then be available to customize with prompts popping up to help. Drag-and-drop is also an option for moving items about or adding images into your slides, for example.

So the basic use of Microsoft PowerPoint is simple enough, however, there are lot of options. This could be daunting except Microsoft offers plenty of support so you can dive into those options to explore more. The Microsoft 365 support center has how-to articles, step-by-step video tutorials, an active community forum, and even a 24/7 live chat support team.

Once you're happy with your presentation, you can share it using a simple link, or you can present it to the class in the room or digitally by simply hitting the play icon. This also lets you see one screen, behind the scenes if you like, while the students just see the slides as each comes up – ideal if you want to keep notes and answers hidden.

What are the best Microsoft PowerPoint features?

Microsoft PowerPoint ease of use makes it a great tool for education. The ability to drag and drop images, music, video, files, and more into the slide and have the software do the work of converting and fitting it is an often underrated feature.

Collaboration is a great feature that allows students to work together on projects. Since students can see one another's changes, live, they don't need to be in the same room or in communication to work effectively together. Of course, having a bit of a plan of who does what also helps avoid any overlap.

Thanks to the wide use of Microsoft tools, there is a broad array of devices on which PowerPoint will work, from desktop computers and laptops to tablets and smartphones. It also plays nice with lots of projectors and smartboards, making presentations in varying locations an easy option, all using digital content stored in the cloud.

Microsoft PowerPoint offers great 3D support, making it a useful tool for sharing images, renders, and more. From physical objects in design or science class to virtual interactive maps, there's lots you can integrate into a Microsoft PowerPoint slide.

How much does Microsoft PowerPoint cost?

Microsoft charges for PowerPoint in varying ways, including a free option.

The Office 365 A1 plan gets you a host of online (slightly limited) versions of the apps, including PowerPoint, for free . This also comes with Outlook, Word, Excel, OneNote, Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, and more.

Step up to the Office 365 A3 plan , at $3.25 per user per month for staff or $2.50 per student , and you get all the above. You also get access to the full desktop apps as well as additional management and security tools.

Go for the top Office 365 A5 plan and it's $8 per user per month for staff and $6 per student . This gets you all the above plus "best-in-class intelligent security management", advanced compliance and analytics systems. 

Microsoft PowerPoint Best Tips and Tricks

Work together Create a project on the big screen, as a class, to work out how to use the software and work through any issues as a class.

Collaborate Set up groups for projects and have them work collaboratively to see how this tool can function across the cloud to enhance teamwork and the end results.

Try templates Encourage students to work with the templates to find ways to expressing what they need in the most time efficient way possible.

Luke Edwards is a freelance writer and editor with more than two decades of experience covering tech, science, and health. He writes for many publications covering health tech, software and apps, digital teaching tools, VPNs, TV, audio, smart home, antivirus, broadband, smartphones, cars and much more.

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13+ Different Uses for PowerPoint (more than just presentations)

Last updated on July 13th, 2024

Microsoft’s PowerPoint, a component of the Office Suite, is a commercial application widely adopted by diverse sectors, including religious, corporate, and educational entities, for delivering visual presentations. By utilizing animations, graphics, and text, this software enables users to create dynamic and informative slides, typically projected on screens for various educational, training, or business presentations. Moreover, with some creativity, users can embed macros, tables, charts, and multimedia elements like videos, audio clips, and images.

Using animation, graphics, and text, this Presentation software package allows the user to make informational and dynamic slides. Further, the slides are displayed on projection screens for educational, training, or business Presentations. With a bit of creativity, you can also create macros, tables, and charts and insert videos, audio, and images as well.

The flexibility of PowerPoint extends beyond professional contexts; it can be an effective tool for both work and play. Your usage is limited only by your imagination. So, what is PowerPoint used for? Here are some diverse applications and more than 10 uses of PowerPoint in education, business and in real-life presentations.

1. Using PowerPoint to Create Tutorials

In training or educational settings, PowerPoint can facilitate the creation of worksheets, tutorials and training programs . For example, an elementary vocabulary worksheet could feature clip art images of various objects for students to label. Tutorials can be printed and distributed to individual students, enhancing their learning experience.

2. Using PowerPoint to Create a Digital Portfolio

Artists or designers aiming to compile a polished electronic portfolio can utilize PowerPoint to display their work. Each slide can contain multiple graphics and visual images, forming a comprehensive showcase of their talent. The added benefit? This electronic portfolio can be easily sent via email or published online using platforms like Behance, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, or SlideOnline if the portfolio is a PowerPoint presentation.

3. Animating with PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a resourceful tool for designing unique and captivating animations. It allows the addition of music, sound, and effects, thereby enriching the animation experience. You can animate elements from the clip art library or your own drawings. For additional resources, consider downloading a good animation background for PowerPoint from any subscription-based service like PresenterMedia .

4. PowerPoint as a Photo Slideshow

PowerPoint can help you create a personalized photo slideshow or digital album for various purposes. Whether it’s a touching tribute to a family member or a fun presentation of a newly wed couple’s childhood photos at their wedding reception, the possibilities are endless.

You can read more articles on Organizing a Presentation .

5. Using PowerPoint for Digital Storytelling

PowerPoint can be an effective tool to craft digital narratives or storybooks, using a combination of text, images, sound effects, and narration to tell a story. This can be particularly engaging in educational settings, but also in marketing and advertising.

6. Using PowerPoint for Making Interactive Quizzes

With its hyperlink functionality, PowerPoint can be used to create interactive quizzes or games. This can be a great tool for teachers in a classroom setting, or for trainers in a corporate environment to assess understanding and engagement.

7. Using PowerPoint to Make Infographics

PowerPoint’s graphic design capabilities allow you to create visually engaging infographics . You can use shapes, icons, charts, and text to represent data or information in an easy-to-understand format.

8. Using PowerPoint for Project Planning

You can use PowerPoint to create project timelines or Gantt charts. This can be a simple but effective tool for project management, allowing everyone on the team to visualize key dates and tasks. Alternatively, there is a huge collection of timeline templates for PowerPoint that you can use, if you don’t want to create a timeline from scratch.

9. Creating Brochures and Flyers in PowerPoint

With the right layout and design, PowerPoint can be used to create professional-looking brochures and flyers. This is a cost-effective alternative for small businesses and organizations that may not have access to more expensive design software.

10. Using PowerPoint for Video Creation

PowerPoint’s animation features and ability to save presentations as videos make it possible to create simple animations or explainer videos. This use of PowerPoint can be useful for product demonstrations, online tutorials, or marketing campaigns. You can also upload the finished videos to online video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

11. Interactive Maps in PowerPoint

You can create interactive maps in PowerPoint that allow users to click on different regions for more information. This can be used for educational purposes or for presenting region-specific data in a business context.

12. Using PowerPoint to Make Flashcards

PowerPoint slides can serve as digital flashcards for self-study or review. This can be particularly useful for students, or for anyone preparing for a test or presentation.

13. Using PowerPoint as a Resume Builder

Traditional word-processing software may limit your ability to visually distinguish your resume. However, PowerPoint provides greater flexibility for designing a eye-catching, informative, and unique resume. You can use PowerPoint to make a visually appealing resume . It enables you to play with colors, shapes, text formats, and visuals to create an outstanding document that can set you apart from the competition. Check some of the best resume templates in PowerPoint here .

Conclusions

When we started analyzing this article, we wanted to list 10 uses of PowerPoint. However, after presenting these 13 different uses of PowerPoint for presentations we understood that only thirteen reasons for using PowerPoint fall short. So, what is PowerPoint used for? There are virtually much more uses of PowerPoint hence the list started to increase.

The applications listed above merely scratch the surface of PowerPoint’s capabilities. Online research can reveal more intriguing uses for Microsoft PowerPoint, allowing you to create a presentation that capitalizes on your experience and skills. You might discover other uses of PowerPoint in educational presentations, educational games, or professional presentations crafted to secure a significant business deal. Alternatively, you can check out some of the PowerPoint topics & ideas for presentations or other some ways to use PowerPoint other than presentation.

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15 Do’s and Don’ts for PowerPoint in the Classroom

PowerPoint is an amazing tool for teachers. It can help you inform, entertain and engage your students. However, not all PowerPoint presentations are created equal. Some will make you want to poke your eyes out and make an appointment for root canal for fun.

My first year of teaching (2002) the assistant principal handed me a box of chalk and a blackboard to use. I still have the chalk dust under my nails and up my nose. When the SMART Board became available in my school and I and could use PowerPoint about ten years ago I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!

And I proceeded to make some of the most awful presentations imaginable. My poor students! The more I learned the worse it became. A fellow teacher showed me animations. The next day I’m lucky a kid did not have a seizure as I presented jumping, disappearing, twirling words and pictures ad nauseam.

A few clear guidelines on what to do and what not to do when designing your presentations will vastly improve your results. Avoid glaring colors, walls of words and complicated graphs. Keep your slides clean, legible and a backdrop to your lecture.

Let me quickly dispel a couple of theories. NO ONE CAN MULTITASK. You can try and do two things simultaneously, but your brain can only do one thing at a time. Trying to multitask can actually hurt your brain, according to Forbes .

What this means is that students cannot listen to what you’re saying, read what’s on the PowerPoint, take notes, look at the pictures and make sure their hair looks good all at the same time.

The amount of stimuli a student is subjected to has a direct effect on their ability to absorb, understand and remember information. This is known as Cognitive Load Theory.

The primary motive of most teachers is to inform and incite learning. To do this in an effective manner requires having these ideas top-of-mind as we plan.

Let’s cover some caveats and guidelines for your PowerPoints.

Don’t do this…

1. No Death By PowerPoint

I don’t think anyone has actually died from a brutal PowerPoint, but your presentation surely will. An endless array of slides being clicked on as you drone on is not conducive to exemplary pedagogy. Even if you sing, dance and do a stand-up routine instead of droning the students will be distracted from your performance by what’s happening on the SMARTBoard.

2. No walls of text

Teachers are notorious for displaying one or more paragraphs of content on each slide. The idea is to give students something to take notes from. This can work; students will write what you have fed to them. They will fill their notebooks with ink.

There are two problems with this method. Number one, many students write word-for-word without without mentally computing the information. Secondly, their cannot focus on copying notes and listen to you at the same time.

Instead, try relegating just a word, phrase or question on the slide. Don’t speak while they write it down. Kids will have to listen to you in order to define the word or answer the question.

3. Too many visuals

This problem harks back to the Cognitive Load theory mentioned earlier. A slide that is too visually stimulating is often a bad idea. Can you occasionally create a slide filled with pictures, photos and colors? Yes, but include a simple slide before the busy one to allow content absorption, them follow up with the “popping” slide.

4. Small pictures, fonts, graphs or maps

I was guilty of this on a regular basis.

Me, “Class, according to the map where did the first battle take place?”

Class: “I can’t see the names on the map; it’s too small.”

Me. “No, it’s not, but if you can’t see come up to the front and look.”

Reality check, many students don’t wear their glasses. Also, we’re normally in the front near the presentation. Stand at the very back of the room to see what that view is like.

5. Too many bullet points

The purpose of bullet points is to succinctly display information. Too many bullet points defeats the whole purpose. It forces you to use a smaller font as well. Keep it down to three or four, or refer to the 25-word rule.

6. Reading from the PowerPoint

Don’t do this. It makes you redundant and superfluous. Think about when when your students a PowerPoint presentation as an assignment. What is it like when they present by simply reading what they wrote on each slide. Awful.

I have to assume you don’t need the notes on the slides as a cheat sheet. Most teachers know their content. A brief phrase is all you need to jar your memory as to what you wanted to say. If there are statistics or details to remember put them in the notes portion of the slide.

7. Glaring colors combos

Do you think that orange, yellow and purple work well together? Perhaps on a tie-dye shirt, but not for visual aids. It’s best to keep the color pallet crisp with contrasting dark and light. This makes for easy reading and no jarring distractions.

8. Intricate graphs

I think the slide above says it all.

Do this instead…

9. keep it streamlined and simple.

Think about a black cocktail dress; it’s simple but stunning. Your PowerPoints should be black cocktail dresses, or a tailored grey suit if you’re a man. They will be both visually appealing and, most importantly, effective teaching tools.

10. Keep it clear

Always look at your presentation through the eyes of a student. If there is ANY way to misread or misconstrue something they will.

I remember comparing the Civil War to a bad break up, trying to make connections for the kiddos. To illustrate the point of view of the south I asked them to imagine:

Imagine your significant other turned out to be the opposite of everything you ever wanted. S/he was a bully and wouldn’t let you see your friends. He pushed you around and took your money. So you break up.

Then the law tells you that you must reunite with this awful person and were forced to reunite with them. How would you feel?

Many of them had a lot to say about that. I congratulated myself for making a good connection for the kiddos. Until I read a student’s essay on the Civil War:

The North and south had bad marriage. It got physical. Even though they hated each other they couldn’t get a divorce. The law made them stay together. This was good because nobody had to pay child support.

Not exactly the results I was looking for. Clarity is a necessity.

11. Save the memes for Instagram

Anything that can distract kids will. One photo or picture per slide will suffice. Memes and gifs should be kept to a minimum. I love a good gif and can’t help but use them sometimes. But it’s not good practice if your goal is a focused class.

12. Under 25 words

There’s an arbitrary rule in town, created by yours truly. No one slide should contain more than 25 words 90% of the time. Follow a concrete guide such as this and you’re sure to improve your slides.

13. Ask a question on each slide

Type a question on your slide and nothing else. I mentioned this above as one way to utilize a presentation. It could be the same question on every slide.

For instance, when I taught the Roaring Twenties each slide had a different change that took place during the decade. The question on every slide was: It this a political, economic or social change? Students were learning content and reviewing key social studies terms.

Another example are the MAIN causes of World War I. For each cause there is one word on the slide: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism. The question for each was the same: How would this cause a war?

14. Add a short video

Enhance your presentation with a short video whenever possible. Find one that reiterates what you are teaching or hones in on one aspect of the lesson. It’s good for differentiation, reinforces content and breaks up the PowerPoint. Be sure to ask at least one question about the video so that students actually have to pay attention.

15. Try using one picture for your background

This is quick, easy and effective. Instead of scrounging around for appropriate photos and pictures for every slide find a nice one and use it as your background. Then create a text box for your question or phrase for each slide. This helps to ensure that there’s not too much text, because you want most of the background picture to show.

I know some of these suggestions are controversial. Maybe you’re yelling at your screen as you’re reading this.

“Are you kidding me? If it weren’t for my funny and engaging PowerPoint presentations my students would be asleep or on their phones!”

That’s fine. Just remember why you’re creating the presentation; to reinforce learning. If you create your PowerPoints looking at it through your students’ eyes the presentations will rock!

Teach and Thrive

A Bronx, NY veteran high school social studies teacher who has learned most of what she has learned through trial and error and error and error.... and wants to save others that pain.

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PowerPoint in the Classroom

Do you use PowerPoint (or Keynote, Prezi or other presentation software) as part of your teaching? If yes, why? This is not meant to be a question that puts you on the defensive, rather to ask you to reflect on how the use of a presentation application enhances your teaching and fits in with other strategies to meet your learning objectives for the class.

A key point from that post to reiterate: “Duarte reports on research showing that listening and reading are conflicting cognitive processes, meaning that your audience can either read your slides or listen to you; they cannot do both at the same time. However, our brains can handle simultaneous listening to a speaker and seeing relevant visual material.”

It’s important to keep this in mind, particularly if your slides are text heavy. Your students will be scrambling to copy the text verbatim without actually processing what is being said. On the other hand, if your slides are used as prompts (presenting questions or key points with minimal text) or if you don’t use slides at all, students will have to listen to what you are saying, and summarize those concepts in their notes. This process will enhance their understanding of the material.

An article in Focus on Teaching from August 1, 2012 by Maryellen Weimer, PhD asks us to consider Does PowerPoint Help or Hinder Learning? Weimer references a survey of students on the use of PowerPoint by their instructors. A majority of students reported that all or most of their instructors used PowerPoint. Weimer’s expresses the concern that “Eighty-two percent [of students surveyed] said they “always,” “almost always,” or “usually” copy the information on the slides.” She asks, “Does copying down content word-for-word develop the skills needed to organize material on your own? Does it expedite understanding the relationships between ideas? Does it set students up to master the material or to simply memorize it?” Further, she notes that PowerPoint slides that serve as an outline or use bulleted lists may “oversimplify” complex content, encourage passivity, and limit critical thinking.

Four journal articles from Cell Biology Education on PowerPoint in the Classroom (2004 Fall) present different points of view (POV) on the use of PowerPoint. Although written over a decade ago, most of the concepts are still relevant. Be aware that some of the links are no longer working. From the introduction to the series:

Four POVs are presented: 1) David Keefe and James Willett provide their case why PowerPoint is an ideal teaching software. Keefe is an educational researcher at the Center for Technology in Learning at SRI International. Willett is a professor at George Mason University in the Departments of Microbial and Molecular Bioscience; as well as Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. 2) Kim McDonald highlights the causes of PowerPointlessness, a term which indicates the frequent use of PowerPoint as a crutch rather than a tool. She is a Bioscience Educator at the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc. 3) Diana Voss asks readers if PowerPoint is really necessary to present the material effectively or not. Voss is a Instructional Computing Support Specialist at SUNY Stony Brook. 4) Cynthia Lanius takes a light-hearted approach to ask whether PowerPoint is a technological improvement or just a change of pace for teacher and student presentations. Lanius is a Technology Integration Specialist in the Sinton (Texas) Independent School District.

These are short, op-ed style, pieces that will further stimulate your thinking on using presentation software in your teaching.

For more humorous, but none-the-less thought provoking approach, see Rebecca Shuman’s anti-PowerPoint tirade featured in Slate (March 7, 2014): PowerPointless . With the tagline, “Digital slideshows are the scourge of higher education,” Shuman reminds us that “A presentation, believe it or not, is the opening move of a conversation—not the entire conversation.”

Shuman offers a practical guide for those, like her, who do use presentation software, but seek to avoid abusing it. “It is with a few techniques and a little attention, possible to ensure that your presentations rest in the slim minority that are truly interactive and actually help your audience learn.” Speaking.io , the website Shuman references, discusses the use of presentation software broadly, not just for academics, but has many useful ideas and tips.  

For a resource specific to academic use, see the University of Central Florida’s Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning’s Effective Use of PowerPoint . The experts at the Center examine the advantages and challenges of using presentation software in the classroom, suggest approaches to take, and discuss in detail using PowerPoint for case studies, with clickers, as worksheets, for online (think flipped classes as well) teaching, the of use presenter view, and demonstrate best practices for delivery and content construction.

Macie Hall, Senior Instructional Designer Center for Educational Resources

Image Source: CC Oliver Tacke https://www.flickr.com/photos/otacke/12635014673/

One thought on “ PowerPoint in the Classroom ”

This post offers a well-framed discussion of the pedagogical choices behind presentation choices we make in our classes–thanks!

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Slides for Students: The Effective Use of Powerpoint in Education

Gary D. Fisk

978-1-940771-43-4

Print Version

Description, about the author, powerpoint vs powerpoint, related titles.

300 million powerpoint presentations are given daily, yet there is a disconnect between the amazing technology of powerpoint and a mediocre student learning experience. To unleash the full potential of powerpoint presentations, we must do a better job of creating presentations that fit the educational needs of students. Slides for Students does just that.

Slides for Students is an open and honest discussion about powerpoint in the classroom. A need exists for thoughtfully designed and implemented classroom instruction that focuses on the learner rather than on the technology. This book was written to translate academic research findings into practical suggestions about powerpoint that educators can use. Divided into two parts, Slides for Students discusses the history of powerpoint, explores academic studies on the topic, and demonstrates how to design slides to best suit educational needs and engage with students to avoid the dreaded “death by powerpoint.”

Gary D. Fisk is a professor of Psychology at Georgia Southwestern State University. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Alabama, where he studied behavioral neuroscience. His areas of specialty include the study of how awareness emerges from the earliest stages of visual information processing in the brain and using technology to support and encourage student learning. These technologies include instructional web pages, Flash-based animations, online learning management systems, and PowerPoint software. In his free time, Dr. Fisk enjoys gardening and making homebrewed beer.

From the Introduction of Slides for Students :

A small but important challenge in the writing of this book was how to handle the term “PowerPoint.” At first, it seemed best to avoid using this term because it represents a proprietary product that is trademarked by the Microsoft Corporation. On the other hand, my attempts to write about presentations without using the term “PowerPoint” resulted in awkward writing. The heart of the issue is that the term “PowerPoint” has taken on multiple meanings and, therefore, can be used in more than one manner. Hubert Knoblauch, a sociologist who studies PowerPoint as a cultural phenomenon, suggests an elegant way to delicately treat this ambiguous term (Knoblauch, 2012, p. 3). He uses “PowerPoint” (note the capitalization) to refer specifically to the Microsoft Office software application. This capitalization is appropriate given that Microsoft’s PowerPoint software is a proper noun. In contrast, the term “powerpoint” (all lower case) is used to describe a modern presentation style that is characterized by some form of multimedia supplement to the speaker’s voice. This broad use of the term can refer generically to many modern presentations, regardless of the technology that was used. This book will follow Knoblauch’s suggested usage of these terms to make this important distinction between a specific software product (PowerPoint) and the more general uses of multimedia to support presentations (powerpoint).

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2. Development of In-Depth Knowledge

Many benefits come from using PowerPoint presentations. Still, one of the most significant benefits is that they can help you develop your knowledge in an area by providing you with more information than you would have otherwise obtained. When you go through a PowerPoint presentation , you’re going to be exposed to more information than if you just read something written down or listened to someone speak about it verbally without visual aids such as graphs and charts.

Powerpoint presentation is a type of media used to convey information and ideas. Most people use PowerPoint presentations to communicate their ideas more professionally.

3. Easy to Convert and Share

Powerpoint presentations are a great way to get your ideas across clearly, and concisely. They can be used in various situations, from work presentations to classroom lectures. Powerpoint Presentations are easy to convert and share.

Powerpoint presentations are effortless to convert and share. You can convert a Powerpoint presentation to a PDF with the click of a button on your computer. You can also save it as an MP4 video file or send it as an email attachment. If you want the people you are sending the presentation to be able to edit the display, then you need to use PowerPoint’s built-in feature called “Save As” instead of saving it as a PDF, MP4, or attaching it as an email attachment.

4. Efficient Lesson Planning A PowerPoint 

Presentation is a great way to make your lesson more efficient and more engaging . It can also be a great way to keep yourself on track and make sure you’re not going off track. You can use PowerPoint to make an outline or even create an entire lesson plan in PowerPoint.

By using PowerPoint slides, teachers can show their students any type of information they want without writing out a handout or explaining everything verbally. This saves time and helps make lessons more efficient by allowing teachers to focus on other important teaching areas like engagement and interaction with students.

5. Excellent Revision Tool

PowerPoint presentation is a great way to revise for an exam. It helps you plan your revision and focus on what is essential. You can create it using the software on your computer or the internet to create one.

There are many ways a PowerPoint presentation can help you revise for an exam. You can use it to organize your notes to make sense and are easy to read. You can also use it as a checklist, ensuring that you have covered everything you need to cover in your exams.

6. Facilitates Effective E-learning And Distance Education

A PowerPoint presentation facilitates effective e-learning and distance education because it allows instructors to communicate with students through visual aids such as images and slideshows. Power points can also be used to distribute course materials such as homework assignments and reading material.

Powerpoint presentations provide an opportunity for instructors to engage with their students on a personal level by allowing them to provide feedback on student work or ask questions about course material through comments in the margins of each slide. These features help build rapport between instructors and students so that both parties feel comfortable sharing ideas about what needs improvement within the coursework itself.

7. Keep Track of Course

The program also allows teachers to save their presentations as a file that they can access later if they want or need to. Another reason why teachers should use PowerPoint is that it helps them keep track of what has been taught during each class period ; some schools require teachers to keep track of what topics were covered so that parents can see what their child learned over time by reading through these reports at home after school. This allows students to see how their work relates to the overall lesson, rather than just completing an assignment with no context.

8. Customized Templates For Comfortable Learning

PowerPoint has an ample template library which aids in comfortable learning. There are various templates available for creating presentations so that one does not need to spend time designing a presentation from scratch. There are also many templates available for different types of presentations such as business, marketing, education, and many others. These templates are available for free download from the internet, which makes them accessible to all types of users at no cost whatsoever.

Many people often find difficulties while creating their own slideshows because they do not know about PowerPoint or do not have enough time to go through all these things before making their presentations. In such cases, it becomes very important for them to use these templates because they contain everything that is required for making a good quality slide show within no time at all without putting much effort into it!

Final Thoughts

These days, PowerPoint presentations have become indispensable. Powerpoint has now become an important part of the educational system. There is hardly any classroom where one cannot find a PowerPoint presentation running in the background. The various advantages of PowerPoint have made its presence felt in almost every school and university worldwide.

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Quick 5 benefits of PowerPoint presentation in Education

Benefits of PowerPoint Presentation in Education: When it comes to teaching, every educator has their own methods. Some may thrive in a lecture setting, while others prefer an interactive environment where students can participate and ask questions. With many schools switching from traditional lectures to PowerPoint presentations, you might wonder which is best for your class. Which style of teaching is more beneficial for your students?

That answer will differ depending on your teaching style, the subject matter of your course, and how much interaction you want from your students. Both methods have pros and cons, but it largely depends on the class you’re teaching. If you’re still unsure which one is better for you and your students, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of PowerPoint presentations in education over traditional lecturing.

Table of Contents

Why use PowerPoint presentations?

PowerPoint presentations have become a staple of business meetings, but they can also be helpful in the classroom. For example, if your students are taking an English literature course and are reading a novel or poetry collection, using a PowerPoint presentation can make it easier to get through the material.

Students can focus on the author’s words while you move the PowerPoint slides to help them understand them. Unlike a traditional lecture, where one person speaks and everyone else listens, PowerPoint presentations allow for more interactive learning.

Students have the chance to respond to the material and learn from their peers, making the class more of a collaborative experience. PowerPoint presentations are also a great way to get students involved and engaged in the material. They can ask questions about the content and interact with one another during the presentation.

Even though you’re at the front of the classroom, PowerPoint can help you get the class involved. If you want to incorporate more visual aids into your course, PowerPoint presentations are a great way to do so. Some studies have shown that humans remember what they’ve seen more than what they’ve heard. Therefore, using PowerPoint presentations in the classroom could improve students’ retention and memory.

The benefits of using PowerPoint presentations in class

Using PowerPoint presentations in class has many benefits for educators and students. Primarily, it can help you save time. Instead of spending a large chunk of your class time lecturing, you can condense your information into a PowerPoint presentation, allowing you to move on to other concepts quickly.

It is also easy to share your PowerPoint presentations with your students outside of class, especially using cloud-based apps. You can also use your presentations to organize your thoughts and keep track of your course outline at a glance. PowerPoint presentations are a great way to incorporate visuals into your lessons, making concepts easier to grasp for students who learn better visually. Students can also use their laptops or computers to view your PowerPoint presentation, making it easy for them to follow along without having to be directly at your computer.

Please don’t give up if you’re struggling to stay focused in class because you find technology distractive. You can engage CustomWritings to help you learn the ropes. As a custom presentation writing service, it has specialized in helping struggling students catch up with the rest by providing high-quality projects, PPTs, speeches, and essays are written from scratch. They can handle PowerPoint presentations of all kinds and levels. Visit their website for inquiries and orders, and you won’t be disappointed.  

Benefits of PowerPoint Presentation in Education for Learners, Educators, and Schools

These days, when a student walks into a classroom, their expectations are high. They want to be engaged and feel like their time is well spent. They want to learn and get their money’s worth. The best way to do this is by using a PowerPoint presentation to engage them in the learning process.

A PowerPoint presentation is going to allow you to bring in visuals. This, in turn, will help you deliver a more interactive, hands-on lesson that will engage and excite your students. The best way to do this is by collaborating with your students and getting them to bring their creativity into the lesson. PowerPoints have also helped institutions lower operational costs. While the initial cost of acquiring the system, i.e., laptops, projectors, etc., can be high, schools save in the end through less printing, chalkboard paintings, etc. These are just a few advantages of PowerPoint presentations in education.

The importance of PowerPoint presentations for students in college

When students have an opportunity to contribute to the classroom in a meaningful way, they are more likely to feel empowered, invested, and engaged in the material. To make this happen, you will have to open the floor and allow your students to collaborate.

This is where a PowerPoint presentation can shine. It can help your students get hands-on with the material, allowing them to explore different ideas, take risks, and become critical thinkers. The best way to do this is by creating a collaborative workspace that will allow your students to partner up, explore their ideas, and contribute to the lesson in a meaningful way. Additionally, since most learners are addicted to technology, it is easier to grab their attention with PowerPoint presentations.

The Drawbacks of Using PowerPoint Presentations in Class

Although you can use PowerPoint presentations to save time and get your students more engaged in the material, there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind. If you don’t create a clear path for your students to follow, they may get lost. Make sure each slide has a clear, concise message. This can prevent students from getting distracted. Your students also need to know when they should be paying attention to you and when they should be viewing the PowerPoint presentation. This can be hard to manage and may cause students to miss important information.

The Drawbacks of Traditional Lectures for Students

Educators who prefer traditional teaching methods may wonder, “How does PowerPoint help students learn?” If you opt for the traditional lecture setting over a PowerPoint presentation, remember that this is not the most interactive teaching method.

If your students feel like they are sitting in darkness, they may feel disengaged and uninterested in the content, leaving them behind on tests and exams. Another drawback to traditional lectures is that you can’t quickly go back and review the information if a student misses it or needs a refresher. If you make notes on a projector or whiteboard, they are difficult to review after the fact.

Conclusion: Benefits of PowerPoint presentation in Education

Choosing the right style of teaching for your students can be difficult. Luckily, there are pros and cons to both the traditional lecture setting and PowerPoint presentations. When deciding which one is best for your classroom, consider your teaching style, the subject matter of your class, and the amount of interaction you want students to have.

See Also: Top 7 business challenges in SharePoint Online

You may also like this article, SharePoint Challenges: Top 7 business challenges in SharePoint Online

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Blog The Education Hub

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/19/fines-for-parents-for-taking-children-out-of-school-what-you-need-to-know/

Fines for parents for taking children out of school: What you need to know

Every moment in school counts and days missed add up quickly. Evidence shows that pupils who have good  attendance  enjoy better wellbeing and school performance than those who don't.  

The school day is split into two sessions – one session counts as a morning or afternoon spent in school. There are only a few occasions where a child is allowed to miss  school , such as illness or where the school has given permission because of an exceptional circumstance.  

However, if your child misses school without a good reason, local councils and schools can intervene and you may be issued a fine.  

We’ve also introduced a national framework which will mean all councils have the same rules in place for when they need to consider a fine. We explain more on this below.  

It’s important to note that children with long-term medical or more serious mental health conditions, and those with  special educational needs and disabilities  may face additional barriers.  

For children who face complex barriers to attendance, schools should have sensitive conversations with children and families and work with them to put support in place for their individual needs.  

How much could I be fined if my child misses school?    

In the majority of cases, schools and local authorities will try and provide support to help you improve your child’s attendance first, but if this isn’t effective or the absence is for unauthorised term time holiday, parents may face paying a fine.  

It’s the responsibility of the local authority to decide when to issue fines to parents, meaning the process varies from council to council.  

However, under the national rules, all schools are required to consider a fine when a child has missed 10 or more sessions (5 days) for unauthorised reasons.  

From August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country will be  £80 if paid within 21 days , or  £160 if paid within 28 days . This rate is in line with inflation and is the first increase since 2012.  

In the case of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.  

Fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action like a parenting order or prosecution will be considered.  

If you’re prosecuted and attend court because your child hasn’t been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500.  

Money raised via fines is only used by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system, and to fund attendance support. Any extra money is returned to the government.  

How can you be sure parent fines are fair?  

Fines are a last resort, and parents will be offered support to help improve their child’s attendance first. The vast majority of fines for unauthorised absence (89%) are issued for term time holidays.  

If your child is facing barriers to school attendance due to special education needs or disabilities (SEND), schools, local authorities and wider services are required to work together to provide the right support in the first place.  

What if my child needs to miss school?   

Your child must attend every day that the school is open, unless:  

• Your child is too ill to attend that day.  
• You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on that day due to exceptional circumstances.  
• Your child cannot attend school on that day because it is a day you are taking part in religious observance.  
• Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it is not available on that day or has not been provided yet.  
• You are a gypsy/traveller family with no fixed abode, and you are required to travel for work that day meaning your child cannot attend their usual school.  

What happens if my child misses school without a good reason?   

If your child is absent and you haven’t received advance permission from the headteacher to take your child out of school, the school and local council may take action.  

Before that, your child’s school and your local council are expected to support you to improve the child’s attendance before any measures are put in place .  

These measures can include:  

• Issue a fixed penalty notice, otherwise known as a ‘fine’  – your local council can give each parent a fine. If you do not pay the fine after 28 days you may be prosecuted for your child’s absence from school.  
• Seek an Education Supervision Order from the family court  – if the council thinks you need support getting your child to go to school but you’re not co-operating, they can apply to a court for an Education Supervision Order. A supervisor will be appointed to help you get your child into education. The local council can do this instead of, or as well as, prosecuting you.  
• Prosecute you  – this means you have to go to court. You could get a fine, a community order or a jail sentence up to three months. The court could also give you a Parenting Order.  

Why is attendance important?   

For most pupils, the best place to be during term-time is in school, surrounded by the support of their friends and teachers.  

This is important not just for your child’s learning, but also for their overall wellbeing, wider development and their mental health.  It’s not just children who fail to attend school who miss out, but  those around them too.    

We’re working with schools and local councils to improve attendance by supporting  them to reset the relationship between schools, families and the government to ensure children have the best start to life.  

You can read more about what we’re doing to help schools improve attendance on the Education Hub .  

You may also be interested in:

• What are 'ghost children' and why is attendance so important?
• Why is school attendance so important and what are the risks of missing a day?
• School attendance and absence

Tags: Fines for missing school , Fines for taking children out of school , missing school , parents fines for children missing school , School absence fines , school attendance , School fines for holidays , School fines UK , School holiday fines

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