Engaging learners requires a creative approach and a bit of visual design. The more audience participation, the more effective the presentation. PowerPoint is a tool that can assist in turning a static presentation into an engaging experience. Interactive PowerPoint presentations not only create engagement for synchronous learning, but also create engagement opportunities for asynchronous learning and review. Consider the following PowerPoint tips and tricks to keep your audience engaged!
1: Interactive Buttons
Interactive buttons create an interactive, self-paced learning experience, much like a choose your own adventure experience.
Use Cases:
- Introduce a new concept
- Review
- Promote reasoning
- Case-based discussion
- Role playing
- Demonstrate a real-world experience
Figure 1: PowerPoint slide featuring interactive buttons.
2: Infographics
Infographics allow information to be presented quickly and clearly through graphic visual representations.
Use Cases:
- Test pre-reading
- Introduce a topic
- Check for understanding
- Display complex data
- Tell a story
- Understand information quickly and more accurately
- Scan, absorb, retain
Figure 2: PowerPoint slide featuring an infographic.
3: Embedded Video and Audio
Embedded video or audio attract student attention and communicates concepts faster and more effectively than words.
Use Cases:
- Pre-teaching
- Lecture playback
- Introduce a concept
- Asynchronous learning
- Flipped classroom
- Virtual field trip
- Student videos/Extension work
- Video assignments
- Tutorials
- Reflection
Figure 3: PowerPoint slide featuring embedded video and audio.
4: Interactive Brainstorming
Interactive brainstorming generates ideas within a group setting.
Use Cases:
- Review
- Group projects
- Peer teaching
- Asynchronous learning
- Flipped classroom
- Jigsaw
- Problem solving
- Strategy building
Figure 4: PowerPoint slide with space for group brainstorming.
5: Other Presentation Tools
Mix things up by using presentation tools other than PowerPoint.
Other presentation tools:
Figure 5: Other presentation tools.
Online Presentation Resources for eLearning:
- 10 Creative Online Presentation Ideas for eLearning Professionals
- 5 Interactive Presentation Ideas that will Engage Students
- Enhancing Student Engagement and Active Learning through Just-in-Time Teaching and the use of PowerPoint
- Visual Aesthetics
- Effective Learner Engagement Strategies in Visual Presentations