01 August 2012

Let's Play Pretend...

Can we pretend today is Tuesday even though I know it's really Wednesday? You see I went back to school yesterday to begin setting up my classroom, totally lost track of time, and did not get around to blogging.
So, let's play pretend...
Hi, everyone! I am so excited that today is TUESDAY and I get to share a fabulous "Tech. Tip" that I have just recently discovered. Let's get right to it!!!!
For many, many, many years I have been a Microsoft Word kinda gal. I had become so familiar with Word that I did everything in it... I've designed lesson plans using grids, birthday card invites, assessments, worksheets, letters for parents using graphics,... I think you get the picture. I did EVERYTHING in Word! Notice I used the word DID. As in the past tense. You see I no longer do everything in Word because I have discovered the POWER of POWERPOINT. I know what you're probably saying to yourself. What is she thinking, powerpoint is used to make presentations and slides? Yup you are absolutely correct, however, that is not ALL it does. Basically I am now creating 99.9% of my material on Powerpoint simply because I have found it to be more user friendly. Here are 5 reasons I feel POWERPOINT can help you.
  1. Graphics are easier to place on documents. You no longer have to struggle with Word wanting to move your picture on the page. In Powerpoint, wherever you place a picture on the document that is where it will stay until you decide to move it.
  2. If you ever want to make a second copy of a page you're working on so that you can modify a few things, it's as easy as clicking "duplicate". You no longer have to click on all of the images on a page, hit group, then copy, then paste on a new page.
  3. If want to copy a page from one document onto a new document that you are working on all you have to do is open BOTH documents, go to the slide you want to copy and hit "copy". Then go to your new document and click "paste". Voila that page is now on your new document!
  4. I love that I am able to see multiple pages at the same time on Powerpoint without having to reduce the size of the page I am currently working on.
  5. If you would like to copy and paste a graphic or text box in the same spot on multiple pages all you have to do is click "copy" on the text or graphic then scroll to the page you want to add it on and click "paste". The text will now be in the same spot on every page you click "paste".
Why don't you give it a try and let me know how it goes. I guarantee you that you will NOT be disappointed! Instead you will ask yourself, why didn't I find out about Powerpoint sooner? I know that's what I did. And if you do use Powerpoint, what is the best "trick" you've learned on Powerpoint?
XOXO,


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6 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 1, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    Thanks for the tip on PowerPoint! Nevre really tried anything except for presentations since I too am a MS Word gal :)

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  2. More Time 2 TeachAugust 1, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    I am now HOOKED big time on PPT! Almost everything I do is on PPT. Try it and let me know how it goes.
    ;0)

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  3. Patti WhiteAugust 2, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    I use Power Point as my Daily Work Board at school. I put my directions on what to do first (unpack, get two sharpened pencils, etc...), their warm-up, a list of all the objectives, what Specials class we go to that day, homework, etc...

    I love it because you can change the background each day, and add to it whatever you want. Once you create the basic Power Point with a page for each day, the rest is a piece of cake. Then I use my projector to place it up on the screen so everyone can see it!
    Patti :)
    A Series of 3rd Grade Events

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  4. HootyAugust 2, 2012 at 7:23 PM

    Me too! I strictly used Word for EVERYTHING but I discovered what all PowerPoint can do, besides presentations,and now I'm hooked.

    Hooty
    Hooty's Homeroom

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownAugust 13, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    I do everything in Publisher because of the same reasons above. I've never use ppt as I'm addicted to pub and then converting to PDF but I'm going to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete