Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Underwaterbob]

This would probably be better off in the tech forum, but it scares me sometimes.

My powerpoint presentations work fine on 70% of the computers at my school. The other 30% for some reason won't run any of the animations. The files still open and run, but each slide is simply there in it's entirety as soon as we get to it. No text appearing as I click, no slide transitions.

It's frustrating because I like to use images like flashcards and have the students tell me what something is, or what is going on. Instead of the image appearing and the answers as I click, the whole shebang just pops up on screen.

It's also irritating that it's only on certain computers, while they're all supposed to be set to the same school standard. Anybody have this problem, or know a way around it?

[bundangbabo]

I don't bother with powerpoint (apologies to the offended! ) because I can draw - also - if your school is like mine - they give you some raggedy arsed computer made in 1975 that takes six goddam years to boot up!

If you can draw (I can) I find it is better to draw cartoons, maps, pictures on the board - my kids love them!

[Goku]

I'm heavily PPT dependent.

But it has 2 huge downsides

1) Learning - We have a tendency to think as teachers that we need to provide different stimuli for all kids, auditory, visual, kinesteic... etc.
But I've been observing my kids, and I'm beginning to consider the fact that my kids tend to get distracted by the pictures on the screen, rather than focus on the English at hand.

2) Breakdowns - My school has the computers break down all the time. When I lesson planned mostly on PPT I'm doomed. Thankfully I almost always remember my slides verbatim and I can talk about it and draw. But god forbid I forget a major idea or point.... the kids might miss out or confused.

[gazz]

http://get.adobe.com/kr/flashplayer/

You might need to download flash onto the computers that are not working.

[Underwaterbob]

I just found the problem. Seems that those 30% are running Powerpoint 2000, the rest are 2003. Why this causes the problems that it does is still a mystery since I'm saving my files as an even older version of pp. It may have something to do with the fact that I'm creating these things in OpenOffice Impress and converting.

I'm not throwing away my chalk yet.

[Underwaterbob]

I don't know if it's a testament or an insult that the powerpoint I'm using today is almost exactly the same as the powerpoint I learned on 12 years ago...

[nomad-ish]

this has happened to me before too, so i know how frustrating it is (though my kids thought it was hilarious). i just told the computer student to get the new software from the computer teacher and put it on for the next class. not much you can do right then and there besides improvise. good luck.

[gazz]

http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Support/Downloads/SBS/Windows/SBSv97Win.htm

If you follow this link and download the software it will make your life a lot easier.

You can copy and paste flash + video clips straight into each slide. You can also use the screen for drag and drop exercises ect. Even if you dont have a touch screen tv you can still use it to similar effect using a mouse or better still a wireless mouse.

You can also easily place sound clips into each slide with two clicks of your mouse.

The software also has a cool 'screen capture' too which allows you to take photos or screen shots of anything that is on your computer screen - movies ect ect.

[ekul]

I've stopped using microsoft powerpoint, most of the time my ppt's are just glorified slide shows anyway. I use the power point maker on google docs, aslong as you are connected to the net they are guaranteed to work. Makes them easy to share among other teachers and you can use them in any future job. It is very easy to just drag and drop images from other websites and to search youtube for any relevant videos to include.

[travelnguy]

[ddeubel]

I'd suggest if you really want stability/reliability, you either

A) make the ppt into a movie and then play/pause

B) convert of flash (though not all action settings will convert).

This of course depends on how much is going on with your ppt.

See a lot of software downloads on the page Software 4 Teachers that I put together. Lots of jewels there and everything is bug free, free and just click and execute.

To make a video into a ppt - just go File - Save As and save as .jpgs. Convert all your slides when it requests. Then export to WMM (every windows machine will have this, movie maker, just hit Start - Programs). Put your audio track there or whatever and time the jpgs and then export again as a movie. AVI is the higher quality and recommended unless you have problems with memory.

iSpring on the Software page really does a damn good job to convert ppt to .swf. It will install as an add on into your ppt program. Just hit their button and it will convert to a .swf that will play in any browser. Here's an example - http://eflclassroom.com/flash/signstimes.swf

Authorstream and Myplick are two online storage of ppts that will allow you to play your ppts online without need of a computer. Another good option for reliability. Here's an example from my collection -
http://www.myplick.com/view/75b9Wwsa8Hz/Korean-Education

Good luck, always something to learn , that's technology, it keeps us honesty as we have to run just to stay still ....

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[gazz]

Yeah you do need to download it onto each computer you use, it can take up to 10 mins or so to do so.

After the initial download you get the option do download 'extras' which are basically clip art.

I wouldn't personally bother with all of them.

The English ones are quite useful, as are the geography ones.

These take up to 5 mins to download.

[nobbyken]

This is turning out to be a fantastic thread.
Great ideas, who doesn't hate powerpoint and the way it doesn't share easily without downloads.
It's OK for business use where companies buy the latest software, but for teaching we need solid idea's like the excellent ones offered above.
Good job guys.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I usually use Google Docs on the rare occasion I use PPT. It's megally stripped down to the barest components but it does all you need most of the time. That way you just log into your gmail and it's right there. You just need a Gmail account (and the classroom internet to be working).

I also use portable apps on a USB. It won't run MS PPT but you can use Open Office version of PPT. This way you know what program you are using as it is the same program you used to right the PPT. It's also good for running Firefox from. That way you don't have to put up with annoying IE with all it's pop-ups on the classroom PC.

[ekul]

There is a power point viewer application you can download from microsoft if you really want to use ppt's on random computers without having to install the full version. It's under 2mb so is easily installed from a usb drive.

Here