<h2><strong>Our top 5 tips for PowerPoint presentations summarised</strong></h2> <ol> <li><strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>Less is more</em></strong></li> </ol> <p>To optimise student engagement and comprehension, use minimal text per slide and present examples before explanations.<strong><em><br><br></em></strong></p> <ol start="2"> <li><strong> </strong><strong><em>Keep text with diagrams to a minimum</em></strong></li> </ol> <p>Minimising text on slides containing diagrams <a href="https://www.innerdrive.co.uk/blog/the-split-attention-effect/">focuses students' attention on the visuals</a>, facilitating better engagement and understanding of complex information.<br><br></p> <ol start="3"> <li><strong> </strong><strong><em>Focus on how you present information</em></strong></li> </ol> <p>Focus on delivery by breaking down content into key words, bullet points or simplified blocks to ensure student engagement and comprehension when presenting extensive information.<strong><em><br><br></em></strong></p> <ol start="4"> <li><strong> </strong><strong><em>Draw attention to key information</em></strong></li> </ol> <p>Vocally guide your students through the content of data-heavy slides to ensure focus on essential information and accommodate varied scanning habits.<strong><em><br><br></em></strong></p> <ol start="5"> <li><strong> </strong><strong><em>Use handouts</em></strong></li> </ol> <p>Providing handouts alongside PowerPoint presentations can significantly enhance your students' learning by emphasising key points and consolidating information, offering a more engaging and effective reference tool.</p>

Step One: Settle on style and colors

Step Two: Create theme backgrounds

Step Three: Rework text-heavy screens

Step Four: Add meaningful visuals and interactions

Step Five: Improve the Layout

<p>To test their hypothesis, the team recorded two versions of a PowerPoint lecture. The presentations differed only in the presence of animation to incrementally present information. They then showed students either the animated or non-animated lecture and then tested the students recall and comprehension of the lecture.</p> <p>The team found a marked difference in average student performance, with those seeing the non-animated lecture performing much better in the tests than those who watched the animated lecture. Students were able to recall details of the static graphics much better. Animated slides meant to present information incrementally actually require greater concentration, which makes it harder to remember content as well as reducing overall exposure time to the "complete" slide, the researchers found.</p>

<p>To test their hypothesis, the team recorded two versions of a PowerPoint lecture. The presentations differed only in the presence of animation to incrementally present information. They then showed students either the animated or non-animated lecture and then tested the students recall and comprehension of the lecture.</p> <p>The team found a marked difference in average student performance, with those seeing the non-animated lecture performing much better in the tests than those who watched the animated lecture. </p>