Getting started with PowerPoint

• Create a presentation with PowerPoint
• Tips for presenting in Blackboard Ultra
  • Follow the EPD Best practices
  • Use easy to read fonts like Arial or Calibri, the default PowerPoint font, in large sizes
  • Use clear high quality images, and only add one or two per slide 
  • Avoid adding video or animated transitions, since they won't translate well to Blackboard

1. Follow slide Best Practices when creating slides for web conferences. Follow the guidelines found at [Link for document 40420 is unavailable at this time]
   • When possible, use EPD templates for all presentations. See InterPro - Online Learning - Teaching Resources for Instructors - PowerPoint Template for the EPD PowerPoint template
2. If you don't plan to use an EPD PowerPoint template, follow these guidelines (modified from the University of Edinburgh's Information Services Best Practices for Blackboard Collaborate)
   • Use Arial, Calibri, or another web safe font. Examples include Arial, Verdana, Georgia, and Times New Roman
   • Do not extended margins (keep default)
   • Don't add too much wording as may cut off bottom of slide - create a new slide instead
   • Keep the file name short without special characters
   • Blackboard has a file size limit of 60MB - best to keep as small as possible
   • No animations (these will not work in Collaborate as the conversion tool flattens the documentation)
   • No embedded video or audio files
   • No high resolution images
3. If your slide deck doesn't use animations, consider exporting the PowerPoint slides to PDF before uploading the file to Blackboard. This also helps prevent conversion issues. 
   • To export slides as PDF In PowerPoint (for Mac), go to File > Export > PDF
   • If your slides save to PDF in the wrong orientation, eg portrait instead of landscape, you can change the page orientation. Please see Page Setup options in PowerPoint for instructions on changing the orientation.
4. Test your slides before your first presentation and reach out to EPD Online Support if you have questions.

Special Suggestions for Students Presenting in Alternate Formats

• Use a smart phone to take a photo of your map, and share it with the class using the Blackboard share options
• If you're presenting, position your laptop or monitor so you can stand with the board and present. Make sure the lighting in your room is set so that viewers can see you and the board