Quality Matters in E-Learning - 26 (Authoring & Delivering E-learning Using PowerPoint Files)

Many of us are familiar with the Microsoft PowerPoint software. We use it to deliver slides in a live presentation. We also use it to create self-running standalone multimedia presentations. However, PowerPoint does have internal features that one can use to make it more interactive and effective e-learning.

The ADL (Advanced Distributed Learning) Initiative has produced a document entitled “Authoring and Delivering E-learning using PowerPoint Files”. This document was produced after their experience in creating and deploying an e-learning module for the Department of Defence Civilian Personnel Management Systems’ (CPMS) Civilian Expeditionary Worksorce (CEW) programme entitled Orientation to CEW for Supervisors.

According to the author, Peter Berking, the ADL Initiative wanted a solution for authoring and delivering e-learning that can be:

• Developed inexpensively
• Created rapidly
• Maintained simply
• Distributed flexibly and
• Scaled easily

They then settled for MS PowerPoint.

When you want to consider using PowerPoint to author and deliver an e-learning solution, Peter Berking suggested you consider the following parameters:

1. Content needs to be maintained easily
2. Student progress does not need to be tracked by an LMS
3. Formal assessments are not needed
4. Rapid development time frame
5. Interactivity does not need to go higher that Level 2 (SCORM has 4 interactivity levels)

Here are some examples provided by the ADL Initiative (you need MS PowerPoint 2007 or its viewer to display the contents. If you do not have MS PowerPoint 2007 on your computer, you can download the MS PowerPoint 2007 viewer from this link.):

CEW Supervisors Topic 1

CEW Supervisors Topic 2

CEW Supervisors Topic 3

CEW Supervisors Topic 4

CEW Supervisors Topic 5

CEW Supervisors Topic 6

CEW Supervisors Topic 7

CEW Supervisors Topic 8

CEW Supervisors Topic 9