Best Practices for Using PowerPoint in Your Online Course 

Uploading a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation file to your online course without providing additional context is not recommended. PowerPoints are typically used to guide a live discussion or presentation, and additional information is provided verbally along with the slide content. For example, a bulleted list in your PPT may not convey the context and details students need to understand the content. Additionally, posting PPT files with embedded audio and video files in your online course may cause accessibility issues for students. Rather than upload PPT files to your online course, consider the alternatives listed below. 

Alternatives to Uploading a PPT file

1. Convert the PPT file to a Webcourses@UCF Page using the Import DOCX or HTML tool. You can then edit and format the page for accessibility using the rich content editor and easily embed images, videos, and links. 

2. Create a screen recording video or a Lightboard video that incorporates your PPT presentation. This will allow you to explain concepts and ideas outlined in your PPT.  Please keep in mind that both of these video formats will need to be captioned in order to be accessible.  
   • The Faculty Multimedia Center (FMC) provides various technologies and services to help you create screen recordings and Lightboard videos. 

How to Build PowerPoints Accessibly

If sharing PPT files with your students is the best pedagogical choice for your online course, refer to the UCF Student Accessibility Services Digital Accessibility PowerPoint Guide for tips on how to build an accessible PPT.