Tertiary teaching in New Zealand/Blended learning/Introduction to eLearning tools/Microsoft Word, Powerpoint

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Many advocates of Open Education Practice would argue that we should not use Microsoft products, or any proprietary tools, for online teaching. Wayne Mackintosh has led the way in seeking to create an open environment in which developing countries, in particular, do not have to use proprietary tools like Microsoft Word, but rather use free software. Listen to Wayne introducing this concept here.

For an excellent presentation on the basic features of Microsoft Word, click here.



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Portfolio Activity

Produce a Word document of no more than 100 words using at least 20 features of Microsoft Word. Make sure that you include formatting, highlighting, headers and footers, bullet points, tables, copying and pasting, and inserting an image and a hyperlink. Post your document to the assignment module on Moodle, or as an attachment to an email to your tutor if a distance student.




Powerpoint is only one tool to create presentations, but it is a good one with many design features - see here.  Presentations can be shared on the internet by using Slideshare. Another presentation tool that has captured the imagination of many teachers is Prezi

What makes a good presentation? Well the very first, and most important factor, is KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE.



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Portfolio Activity

Make two presentations of no more than 5 slides each using any presentation tool. The topic can be anything of your choosing, but both presentations should be on the same topic. The audience for one of them will be a class of ten year old children; the other will be intended for mature graduates. Post your finished presentations to the assignment module on Moodle, or as an attachment to an email to your tutor if a distance student.