requirements

The PowerPoint Option

Congratulations on investigating this option! You are to be commended for recognizing the practical value of doing this challenging project. Today's digital workplace requires employees like you who are willing to learn and practice the skills needed to met the demands of the communications revolution that is literally changing the way we process texts and, as a result, how those texts must be designed and delivered. Here are the basic specifications for the PowerPoint Option:

Length: As you learned in our course, length is always a function of topic + purpose + audience + presentation vehicle. The number of slides you use should be the exact number required to be effective, and not one more. Ain't no line but the bottom line these days, and upper-management folks want to get to it as fast as possible. Focus on key findings and the take-away.

Animations: None necessary. If you must, keep them simple and functional.

Speaker Notes: Please do not use this function for a live presentation.

What About References? On the last slide, if necessary.

Design: Keep it simple. Less is more. Adhere to these basic principles and you'll be fine:

Follow the 6 X 6 rule: no more than six bullets per slide, no more than six words per bullet.
Try to use a graphic (good photography, avoid overused clip art) on each slide to express the key idea of that slide.
Avoid using any point size less than 28. Vary point sizes by at least 2 points between titles, headings and slide text (i.e., titles should be 2 point sizes larger than headings; headings should be 2 point sizes larger than slide text).
Avoid using complete sentences (those should be spoken) for slide copy. Use bullet lists of intelligible phrases to help organize information and to aid audience memory.

How Will This Work in Second Life? Simple. You send me your PowerPoint 24 hours prior to your scheduled presentation. I upload it to a PowerPoint player in Second Life. When it's time to do your presentation, you and your avatar meet me in Escribir Park or House, click on chat, and narrate your PowerPoint live from your computer (you must have a headset with a microphone).

When Must I Do the Presentation? Anytime before the end of final exam week. This extended time frame allows more flexibility in scheduling to meet you individually.

Good luck and let me know if you need anything else!