Enhancing a Presentation by Using PowerPoint Paola Davila March 6, 2009 EDTC 3332: Instructional Technology Practicum Rene Corbeil

Needs Assessment: The lack of knowledge in Microsoft PowerPoint limits the way the advisors can present any new information to the employees. Currently, only about ten percent of the quality advisors know how to use PowerPoint. The method that is being used to present new information is by word of mouth. The employees are called on one by one, only to be lectured by the advisor of the new information.

Needs Assessment: cont. By using PowerPoint, the students will utilize different styles like visual, audio, and verbal which will improve the quality of learning and assist them in retaining the information. This would make the presentations more successful.

Needs Assessment: cont. The solution: The solution to the problem is a self-paced computer training module that will teach all advisors how to use Microsoft PowerPoint to present new information. In the training module, the focus will be on the basics in completing a PowerPoint presentation and also include information on how to make the presentations artistic by including diagrams, pictures, shapes, and sound.

Instructional Goal: The goal of my module is to teach all Quality Assurance Advisors the basics of PowerPoint, while emphasizing ways to make presentations unique like using audio, pictures, graphs, and diagrams. This new training solution will generate creative, interesting, and useful presentations.

Performance Objectives: After completing the training, the learners will be: Using the information provided in the module, the advisors will learn the basics of PowerPoint. Given a blank PowerPoint presentation, the advisor will be able to create a presentation that describes a new product. Using PowerPoint, Quality Advisors will produce creative presentations that incorporate video, pictures, and graphs.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes: I will be evaluating the mastery of the concepts presented by asking the students to pass a final project. In order to make sure that the students have learned the material, they will be required to complete a PowerPoint presentation describing a new product. The students will have to include the following in the presentation: Clip art Graphs Audio/sound Word art

Learner Characteristics: The learners, which are all Quality Advisors, vary in age from 20 to 60. They all have basic computer knowledge. They all have great writing, reading, and communication skills. However, only ten percent of the learners have some knowledge in PowerPoint, therefore, the training will need to cover the basics.

Learning Context: The instructional setting will be at a workstation. In order to make better use of company time, the quality advisors will view the module one-by-one. This will ensure that the work required is completed by the available advisors. The advisors will have the ability to view the training and take notes in order to master PowerPoint. In addition, they will have the software to practice with during or after the training.

Instructional Strategies: Introduction: (a) Overview of Training (b) Statement of Goal and Objectives (c) Get to know the audience and get them thinking about the PowerPoint Topic 1 (a) PowerPoint basics/components (b) List what is required to complete the presentation (c) Starting a new presentation Topic 2 (a) Adding slides (b) Choosing slide layouts/designs (c) Practice exercises

Cont. Topic 3 (a) Adding information (title, body) (b) Organizing information correctly (c) Ask any questions Topic 4 (a) Adding pictures (b) Adding graphs (c) Adding word art/color Topic 5 (a) Incorporating work-related material (b) New products (c) New services

Cont. Topic 6 (a) Summary (b) Get students to name some benefits (c) Ask questions to test the students knowledge Assessment (a) Ask the students to prepare a short presentation (b) They must incorporate the information provided (c) They will be graded based on the material that was presented

Instructional Resources: The resources that will be needed in order to participate in the training include: Computer PowerPoint Software Speakers Paper/Pen (for notes) Microphone

Training Module Blueprint: Introduction PowerPoint Basics Slide Designs/ Layouts Adding Content Adding Graphics Adding Work Content (New Product) Informal Assessment (Test student’s Knowledge) Assessment Training Cycle

Formative Evaluation: The two strategies I intend to use to evaluate my design plan are Subject Matter Expert and small group evaluation. For my Subject Matter Expert, I will be contacting my supervisor. The manager at my previous job is an expert in all aspects of the call center. This includes knowing the responsibilities of the Quality Advisors, and what could help to improve their procedures (using PowerPoint). The small group evaluation will be delivered to two quality advisors, who make up a small portion of the target audience. I will be presenting the module and allow them to make suggestions or describe any problems. This will allow me to make any necessary changes that will improve the module.

Summary The goal is to teach all Quality Assurance Advisors the basics of PowerPoint, while emphasizing ways to make presentations unique, and by completing the self-paced computer training module that I have created, all learners will accomplish this goal. The module will teach all advisors how to generate creative, interesting, and useful presentations. In turn this will help both the learners and the company, leading to a successful experience.