Course Description:

This 12-week course introduces middle school students to Microsoft PowerPoint, helping them to develop essential skills for creating engaging and effective presentations. Students will learn to navigate PowerPoint, design visually appealing slides, integrate multimedia elements, and deliver confident presentations.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the basic interface and functionality of Microsoft PowerPoint.
2. Learn to create and format presentations.
3. Develop skills in designing visually appealing slides.
4. Incorporate multimedia elements such as images, videos, and animations.
5. Utilize PowerPoint for school projects and presentations.
6. Enhance public speaking and presentation delivery skills.

Week 1: Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint

• Overview of the PowerPoint interface: ribbons, toolbars, and menus.
• Understanding slides and slide layouts.
• Basic navigation and creating a new presentation.
• Saving and opening presentations.

Week 2: Creating and Formatting Slides

• Adding and organizing slides.
• Choosing and customizing slide layouts.
• Working with text boxes and formatting text.
• Using bullets and numbering for lists.

Week 3: Designing Slides

• Applying and customizing themes and templates.
• Using the Slide Master for consistent design.
• Adjusting slide backgrounds and color schemes.
• Working with slide transitions.

Week 4: Adding Images and Graphics

• Inserting and formatting images.
• Using shapes, icons, and SmartArt graphics.
• Creating and customizing charts and graphs.
• Utilizing screenshots and screen clippings.

Week 5: Working with Multimedia Elements

• Inserting and editing videos.
• Adding and formatting audio clips.
• Utilizing online videos and embedding multimedia.
• Understanding multimedia playback options.

Week 6: Applying Animations and Transitions

• Introduction to animations and their types.
• Adding and customizing animations to objects.
• Applying slide transitions for visual effects.
• Timing and sequencing animations and transitions.

Week 7: Advanced Slide Design Techniques

• Using advanced text formatting options.
• Designing infographics within PowerPoint.
• Creating custom slide layouts.
• Utilizing design tools like Align and Distribute.

Week 8: Interactive Elements and Hyperlinks

• Adding hyperlinks to text and objects.
• Creating interactive buttons and navigation.
• Incorporating action buttons for interactivity.
• Linking to other slides, presentations, and websites.

Week 9: Collaborating on Presentations

• Sharing presentations for collaborative editing.
• Using comments and track changes.
• Co-authoring in PowerPoint Online.
• Saving and sharing presentations via OneDrive.

Week 10: Preparing for Presentation Delivery

• Reviewing and refining the presentation.
• Using Presenter View for effective delivery.
• Tips for practicing and rehearsing presentations.
• Setting up and using slide show options.

Week 11: Real-World Applications of PowerPoint

• Creating school project presentations.
• Designing informational and instructional slideshows.
• Using PowerPoint for storytelling and creative projects.
• Exploring professional uses of PowerPoint in various fields.

Week 12: Final Project and Presentation

• Students work on individual or group presentations.
• Preparing and presenting the final project to the class.
• Peer review and feedback session.
• Course wrap-up and discussion of advanced PowerPoint learning paths.
• Writing Supporting statement
• Mock Business presentation framework

Assessment and Evaluation:

• Weekly assignments and quizzes to reinforce learning.
• Mid-course project to apply intermediate skills.
• Final project presentation to demonstrate comprehensive understanding.

Materials Needed:

• Access to computers with Microsoft PowerPoint installed.
• Course handouts and practice worksheets.

Instructor’s Notes:

• Encourage active participation and creativity among students.
• Provide real-life examples and applications of PowerPoint skills.
• Offer additional support and resources for students needing extra help.
• Continuously assess and adapt the course based on student progress and feedback.
• This course aims to build a strong foundation in Microsoft PowerPoint for middle school students, preparing them for future academic and professional tasks requiring presentation skills.