FitMet

By Matthew Bassett

Part II of a multi-part series

Uses for PowerPoint Presentations
PowerPoint presentations are used to present content. As teachers, we need to be giving quality content to the students. PowerPoint allows us a way to deliver the content with an exciting approach. You can add as many slides as you like, and make the content as short or as long as you like. As physical education teachers, we can use PowerPoint to instruct our students on any content standard for any grade level. Since PowerPoint is so adaptable, we can show a how-to presentation on a forearm pass just as easily as we could present the five components of health-related fitness.

PowerPoint files can be saved in a variety of different ways.  With a .ppt file you can continue to make changes to the presentation.  Files can be saved as a presentation so that it can be sent to someone who does not have PowerPoint.  You can also save the PowerPoint files as web pages.  This can be helpful for showing parents what your classes have been working on, or for students to make up missing work. Mac users can save PowerPoint files as a QuickTime file and turn it into a video.

Advanced knowledge in Power Point allows users to work on skills in a non-linear format. Most PowerPoint files start at the beginning and move linearly throughout the presentation to the end. Non-linear files allow users to start where they want and move around the presentation. Learning to develop non-linear presentations takes time.

PowerPoint presentations can also be made by students. For example, they can be asked to develop a presentation on the forearm pass or proper push-up technique. Students can even create a PowerPoint file that shows the content learned and presented at open house. Student’s can use Power Point to create a technology portfolio for physical education.

Tips for Developing your Presentations
While developing a Power Point file you may need to take a few things into consideration to make your presentation more aesthetically pleasing.  First, you must determine if you will show the presentation on a TV screen or through a projector. The visible section on a TV is not as large as a projector. You will need to give yourself a little more room around the edges if using a TV.

Second, you must make the font size large enough to be read at the back of the class. My recommendation is to have titles no smaller than 60 font and the text to be no smaller than 45 font. I would recommend using one color font for the titles (I tend to use red) and another for the text section (I tend to use white). If you are working on a fill in the blank worksheet you can add a third color (green) for the students to see what they need to write down. Larger font sizes are better so that every student can read the information. It might mean adding a lot of extra slides though. I would also recommend adding a bold to your titles and text boxes. This can make it a little easier for the students to read the information. While creating your presentation you may have to limit each slide to one concept or one item. You will also want to make the background a dark color (like black) so that it is easier to read on the screen. Lighter background colors with darker font are actually harder to read from the back of classrooms.