1. Test, Test, and Test – Make sure you test your presentation in advance in the room where you will be presenting. We would be happy to meet with you in advance of your presentation.
***If you use the Microsoft Office 2007, 2008 or Open Office version of PowerPoint on your own computer, be sure to save the file as an Office 97-2003 version for compatibility. The computers in the science building read .ppt files, not .pptx or .odp files. Check and make sure the formatting has not changed if you switch versions***
2. Video or Audio in Your PowerPoint? – If your presentation has embedded sound or video, make sure to save the A/V clips in the same folder as your PowerPoint.
3. Don’t Procrastinate – Give yourself plenty of time to complete your project. Using technology can make a presentation more dynamic, but build in extra time in case you need to trouble-shoot problems.
4. Need Help? For more helpful hints or assistance with your technology-related project, make an appointment in the Technology Production Studio, (McCain, G-43), call 404-471-6059 /6313 or email us at cburgamy@agnesscott.edu / egwynn@agnesscott.edu .
5. Back It Up – Always back up your work in several places (e.g., flash drive, SpARC network folder or email it to yourself).
6. Personal Mac or PC – If you are using your own laptop and have a Mac, will you need a special adaptor to hook it up to the projections system? If you are using a PC, there is a cable already built into the podium.
More Tips:
How to Save Your SpARC PowerPoint Presentation in the SpARC Network Folder — Mapping a Network Drive for Windows 2000/XP:
If you are making a PowerPoint presentation, you must save your file ahead of time in a special SpARC folder created on the student access network drive. You may not use email to pull up your presentation at the beginning of your time slot—it must be already on the network in the correct folder. (Be sure to bring a backup on your flash drive!) This ensures efficiency on the day of the conference; any time that you must spend loading your file will cut into your presentation time.
1. Right-click on My Network Places or My Computer
2. Select Map Network Drive
3. The Map Network Drive window will open. In the Drive: box there will be a letter (e.g., V:, X:, Y:, etc.) which indicates what drive letter you will
be using. This can be changed as long as the letter you choose is not being used already. If it is being used, then you will see a drive mapping beside the letter (e.g., Y:\\Academic\Folder)
4. In the Folder: box; enter the path to the Sparc network folder. The path to type is \\academic\public\studentaccess\SPARC2011 <file:///\\academic\public\studentaccess\SPARC2011> . If this drive will be needed daily, check the box beside Reconnect at logon. Do not choose Reconnect at logon if you are using a computer in a Public or Resident Hall lab.
5. Click Finish. A login prompt will appear. Enter your username with ASCNT in front of it (ex. ASCNT\twarren) and enter your password. The network drive should now open on your desktop. It will also be listed in My Computer as the drive letter it was assigned in step 3
6. You will see a list of folders with titles for each group session; find the folder for your session (check the SpARC website for updates on rooms and times) and copy your PowerPoint file to that folder
***You are also advised to save and bring a copy of your presentation on a flash drive, CD, or a floppy. This will serve as a back-up.***
How to Pull Up Your Powerpoint Presentation on SpARC Day:
Your group will login shortly before the session begins, and its SpARC folder will be pulled up on the designated Science Center classroom computer. Your PowerPoint file will then be readily accessible for you to use. PLEASE NOTE:
· You are strongly advised to run a practice session of your presentation from the file in this folder in advance of SpARC day in order to allow time for troubleshooting (check the SpARC website for updates on rooms and times)
· If your Powerpoint presentation includes video segments, remember that you need to save the video file(s) in the same folder as the Powerpoint
· If you have audio or video files inserted into your Powerpoint, be sure to test your presentation in advance on the computer in your specified room
· If you use the Windows Vista version of PowerPoint on your own computer, be sure to save the file as a Windows 97-2003 version for compatibility. The computers in the Science Center run Windows XP, NOT Vista.
