I’m currently reading Better Than Bullet Points: Creating Engaging e-Learning with PowerPoint by Jane Bozarth. Bozarth proposes and then answers a very good question:
With PowerPoint so familiar, intuitive and easy to use, why would a trainer choose to buy an expensive authoring tool?
She lists the following reasons:
- PowerPoint allows for rapid development and deployment of e-learning
- PowerPoint provides for easy addition of graphics and simple animation
- Many organizations have libraries of PowerPoint presentations originally developed for classroom use which can be republished as e-learning
- Motion path animation gives PowerPoint users animation options previously only available in high-end graphics programs
- Even novice PowerPoint users will find the learning curve shorter than that associated with other tools
- Many other tools involve licencing fees or per-user costs
- Most trainers already own a copy of PowerPoint
All together they make a compelling case in favor of using PowerPoint with an e-learning “enabler” such as Coral Presenter to produce new e-learning and re-publish existing materials for online deployment. Her book does suggest a number of practical ways to make the materials more engaging which will hopefully improve learner acceptance of e-learning as well as raising the effectiveness of the learning process.
