Power+Point+Overload

The information on this page is based on the article "Five Ways to Reduce PowerPoint Overload" by Cliff Atkinson and Richard Mayer (2004). You can access the article at []


 The Signaling Principle is a technique that replaces the title of a slide with a headline. Using a headline makes the slide more attractive and descriptive for the viewer. The headline should consist of the main idea of the particular slide. //"Research finding: people learn better when the material is organized with clear outlines and headings (the Signaling Principle)" (//Atkinson 10).

media type="custom" key="4577882" This PowerPoint is focused on an online educational method that uses online testing instead of paper testing. It gives reasons to why online testing is better and shows the difference with statistics and charts. Several major tests will be online in the future like the CAT and the MAT. This exemplifies the principle on almost all of the slides. The author gives the meaning of the slide in each headline, making it easier to understand the summary of their work. Questions that are the main focus of the slide are also presented as headings. The PP also has smart art graphics showing the benefits and disadvantages of online to paper testing.

ESS

media type="custom" key="4577994" This PowerPoint is about using comic books in the classroom. The slideshow presents different ways to use different comic books, like having students convert a story they wrote into comics. "Tap Into the World of Comics" slideshow is a good example of the signaling principle. On the majority of the slides the title is more of a headline, giving the audience a more clear idea of what they will be talking about on each slide. By just reading the headline of some of the slides the audience is able to know excatly what the creator of the slideshow is trying to portray. EG

media type="custom" key="4578316" This Power Point goes over many different aspects of strengthening local history in a small city. Jeremy Potter created it, and he discusses how he has tried to increase the knowledge of local history at Ida middle school and the town of Ida, MI. He then discusses ways other people or students can learn and teach their local history. This follows the principle of signaling because it has clear and descriptive titles that indicate what each slide will be focusing on. Some are a little more creative then others, but on each slide there is a title and it is organized. JMK

Back to Home Page