First, I'm using PowerPoint as a term of convenience -- Keynote or Impress or the slideware of your choice can work just as well.

We have typically seen powerpoint used to push information out to audiences using text and/or images (example).

What about other ways of using the tool? Three examples

1. Writing on a powerpoint (example = images from the State of the Union address)
2. Using powerpoint to make a game (example = Biotechnology jeopardy; this isn't my work so I can't share it)
3. Student-created powerpoint, using it to make flashcards (again, not my work)

Guiding principles

• If you find yourself using lots of text, EITHER
  • Keep the text but shift to a more interesting medium, such as an overhead projector, or
  • Put the text on handouts and find visuals (maps, photos, diagrams, or even clip art) that help express the ideas.
• Collaborate to get help when making something time-intensive, such as an interactive powerpoint. Get help from colleagues or even students (finding images, setting up links), and look for online resources as well.
• Consider the audience: Yourself ? The whole class? The public? Or just the student (as in the case of example #3, above)

Learning more

• This website has tutorials on ppt and LOTS of other tools: educationworld.com's TechTutorials (scroll down to find the ppt info)