Using PowerPoint in WebCT

Discussion

Faculty have three options when including PowerPoint within their WebCT Course:

1. Upload and link the PowerPoint presentation in original format (.ppt)
   Instructions
2. Convert presentation to pdf format (.pdf), upload and link
   Instructions
3. Convert, upload and link  the PowerPoint to an html file
   Instructions

Uploading PowerPoint in original format (or native format)

Benefits of using PowerPoint in original format (.ppt)

• Students will see all the animations, transitions and hear any sound files that you've included
• Students will have access to the Print option within PowerPoint that will allow them to print several slides to a page. (Printing multiple slides to a page  instructions)

Drawbacks to using PowerPoint in original format:

• The PowerPoint program must be on the local computer in order for the students to view the presentation. If you are concerned about students not having PowerPoint on their computers, you may include a link on your page to the free PowerPoint viewer. This is a little program provided free of charge from Microsoft to allow users to view a PowerPoint presentation without having the full program. All CCRI lab computers will have PowerPoint loaded on them as well.
• Larger file size makes downloading much slower over a modem for large presentations

Converting PowerPoint to a .pdf file

Benefits of using PowerPoint in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf)

• Presentation can be saved in handout format (3 to a page) for note-taking in class
• Students can print out presentation with multiple slides per page which saves paper and toner
• File size is smaller than native format for faster download time

Drawbacks to using PowerPoint in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf)

• Students need to have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader on their computers to view the file
• Transitions, animations and sounds will be lost in the conversion

Converting PowerPoint to an html file

Benefits of using PowerPoint in html format (.htm)

• Students can view the PowerPoint presentation from any Internet-connected computer without special software
• Large presentations download and play faster

Drawbacks to using PowerPoint in html format

• All transitions, animations and sounds will be lost
• Students will not be able to print multiple slides to a page

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This page last modified on: July 17, 2007