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Thursday, January 19, 2006

Exploiting the True Power of PowerPoint
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Okay, this installment is not about eyes or vision disorders. WebMD encourages us to talk about other experiences from time to time. Consider yourself warned!

As a full-time faculty member at UC Davis School of Medicine I have the responsibility to deliver lectures and presentations, many lectures and presentations. I am always on the lookout for ways to improve my teaching technique and my visual presentations.

These days, regardless of the venue, almost every kind of oral talk is supported by a PowerPoint presentation. I remember using PowerPoint to make 35mm word slides before it was a Microsoft product; back when the top software was a clunky DOS product called Harvard Graphics. PowerPoint remains popular because it is a quick and easy way to organize your thoughts and clearly deliver those thoughts to an audience.

The current version of PowerPoint has so many bells and whistles I am overwhelmed. Nevertheless, I want to discover and fully exploit PowerPoint innovations that will make my lectures memorable. Scientific content is always top priority, but why not a little sizzle with that juicy steak?

Hey, 'Dummies' and 'Idiots'! I have finally found a comprehensive guide to help me prepare consistently attractive and dynamic PowerPoint presentations. I think this is the one book you've been looking for.

This blog is not a commercial endorsement. Consider it a strongly-worded recommendation from an experienced educator. Get hold of a copy of Perfect Medical Presentations
by Irwin (a physician) and Terberg (a graphics artist). It won the 2005 Best Book Award (Basis of Medicine) by the British Medical Association.

No, you do not need to be in the medical profession to appreciate this book. It is loaded with extremely practical and outrageously creative tips for basic and advanced PowerPoint users. It comes with a CD loaded with original templates and useful graphic examples.

Besides helping you navigate PowerPoint, this book shows you step-by-step how to create your own high-end graphics with Adobe Photoshop Elements (a software program bundled with most scanners). If you already use the full version Adobe Photoshop you are good-to-go!

PowerPoint simplifies my job as a teacher. Perfect Medical Presentations has helped me do that job better.


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Posted by: Dr. Lloyd at 12:09 AM

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