Tips and tricks
- The first and most important step in creating a narrated presentation is creating a script. A script is a written document containing everything you want to say in your presentation. When writing your script, organize the content of your narration by each slide separately.
- Don't narrate text that’s already displayed on the screen — in short lessons it’s better to use narration rather than a text, written on a slide, to explain a graphic.
- Use only as many presentation tools as you need to display your message. Follow the ‘less is more’ principle, this really works. The number and variety of presentation elements in a slide must not overshadow your speech and aims.
- Overload of text (with or without audio narration) is obstructive.
- You can use your recorded, already prepared audio file with your narration or speech software with natural voices (such as a Powertalk, Zabaware reader, ReadSpeaker, SpeechMaker, etc.)
- Always keep a copy of the original PowerPoint file so it can be changed or developed in the future. Also, it can be used for re-recording of narration, if you find any mistakes.
- Remember the golden rule of ‘one idea per slide’ to avoid cognitive overload and fatigue of your learners.
- Keep in mind that recorded voice can make everyone fall asleep pretty quick, so you have to make sure that narrated presentations are 15 minutes or less in length to avoid your audience losing attention.
- Try out the plugins or applications for PowerPoint, such as Office Mix (free), Mentimeter or iSpring, Camtasia, Efficient Elements, etc. You can also use other applications, not just MS Powerpoint, — to create a narrated presentation.
- If you are using animation and slide transitions, it must be taken into account that they must be automatically set for saving in a video format because the audience will not be able to control the flow of presentation with a click.
- It is important to decide which format to save the narrated presentation in. It's better to save it in a format that is easy to see and can be stopped and repeated. The video format will be the most suitable for this purpose.
- Keep in mind the size of the final file. Learning platforms tend to limit the size of the downloaded file. In this regard, it's easy to place a video file on one of the on line storage places, like Youtube, Vimeo or Google Drive.
- Keep in mind that
technological opportunities are developing very rapidly and that these
tips and tricks may be reviewed after some time.
Last modified: Sunday, 23 August 2020, 11:42 PM