Educational PowerPoint

With low quality photos, irritating colour combinations, and text swirling and darting across the screen, it can be painful to sit through a PowerPoint presentation. But done well, PowerPoint can be a very useful educational tool.


In Academic Foundations we started the Media Development Project to help instructors learn how to use PowerPoint effectively and educationally. In terms of design, there are three main concepts that need attention.

1. Instructional Design
• Align to a specific learning outcome for a specific course
• Limit the amount of information to be covered
• Do more than present information - get learners thinking and applying skills
• Ensure the sequence of slides is logical for the topic
• Ensure all visuals are educational, not decorative

2. Visual Design
• Choose colours for contrast that is easy on the eyes
• Use a font that is easy to read
• Be generous with white space
• Be consistent in style and colour throughout the presentation
• Use high-quality, high-resolution images
• Keep images simple
• Ensure that you have the right to use the images you choose
• Use animation and images for effect, not decoration
• Minimize text

3. Presentation Design
• Have a beginning, middle, and end
• Have only one idea per slide
• Write clear and adequate notes in the Speaker Notes section
• Understand that this is not a stand-alone resource; the presenter needs to be equally prepared

There is a lot to consider for each of these three concepts. Watch this blog for more detailed posts about each one.

For an entertaining overview of everything not to do, check out this video: Life After Death by PowerPoint.