Are you eager to incorporate a dynamic PowerPoint presentation into your Thinkific course but unsure how? Look no further!
While Thinkific does not support the direct upload of PowerPoint files, there are a few easy ways to include your presentation in your course content. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of Thinkific and its course content options and a detailed explanation of how to add a PowerPoint presentation to your course.
From converting your PowerPoint to a PDF to incorporating audio and animation, we’ll preview the options and help you choose the best fit for your course goals. Let’s dive in and elevate your course content with engaging PowerPoint presentations!
How to Add a PowerPoint Presentation as a PDF Lesson
Thinkific’s PDF Lesson feature provides an excellent option for adding a PowerPoint presentation to your course content. PDFs are a widely-used format that can be easily viewed on most devices, making them accessible to your students.
Converting your PowerPoint presentation to a PDF is a straightforward process. From the PowerPoint window, simply navigate to File > Save As and select PDF from the available file types. You can also include speaker notes or comments, depending on your needs.
Once you have your PDF, you can create a PDF Lesson in Thinkific. Simply upload the PDF to your course, and Thinkific will automatically generate a lesson containing all of the pages in your PDF. You can customize the lesson’s title and description, add a thumbnail image, and adjust the lesson order to fit your course structure.
Benefits and Downsides of Creating a PDF Lesson
PDF Lessons are an excellent option for adding static content, such as slides or images, from a PowerPoint presentation to your Thinkific course. While they provide a simple and effective way to include a PowerPoint presentation in your course, there are some potential drawbacks.
PDFs may not preserve all the animation and other features in your original PowerPoint presentation. Additionally, students may need to download the PDF to view it, which could create additional steps or technical issues.
If your presentation contains complex animations or other dynamic elements, consider another option, such as a Presentation Lesson or Video Lesson.
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How to Add a PowerPoint Presentation as a Presentation Lesson
Another option for incorporating a PowerPoint presentation into your Thinkific course is to use the Presentation Lesson feature. This option allows you to upload your converted PowerPoint presentation as a PDF and add audio narration to each slide.
As with the PDF Lesson option, the first step is to convert your PowerPoint presentation to a PDF. Once you have your PDF, you can create a Presentation Lesson in Thinkific in the course builder, add a new lesson, select the “Presentation” option, and upload the PDF. Doing this will split the PDF into individual pages, which you can add audio using Thinkific’s built-in audio recorder.
Benefits and Downsides of Creating a Presentation Lesson
Adding audio to each slide in your Presentation Lesson can be a powerful way to engage your students and add context to your content. For example, you can explain the key takeaways from each slide or provide additional information to supplement the text on the page.
As with any content option, there are some potential drawbacks to consider when using a Presentation Lesson for your PowerPoint presentation. One is that recording audio for each slide can be time-consuming and may require additional editing. Additionally, depending on the length and complexity of your presentation, a Presentation Lesson may not be the most effective way to convey your content.
Overall, the Presentation Lesson feature in Thinkific provides a versatile way to add audio to a converted PowerPoint presentation, allowing you to provide additional context and engage your students. However, it may not be the best option for all types of content, so it’s important to consider your goals and audience when deciding on the best approach.
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How to Add a PowerPoint Presentation as a Video Lesson
If you want to preserve animations in your PowerPoint presentation, use the Video Lesson feature in Thinkific. This option allows you to export your presentation as a video and upload it to your course, where students can view it as a self-contained video lesson.
To create a Video Lesson, you must first export your PowerPoint presentation as a video. You can do this by selecting the “Export” option in PowerPoint and choosing the “Create a Video” option. You can then adjust the video quality settings and save the video to your computer.
Once you have your video file, you can create a Video Lesson in Thinkific by uploading the video and selecting the “Video” option. This will allow you to add a title, description, and thumbnail image for your video lesson and set permissions and availability settings.
Benefits and Downsides of Creating a Video Lesson
One of the benefits of using a Video Lesson for your PowerPoint presentation is that it allows you to preserve animations and transitions, which can be important for certain types of content. Additionally, video lessons can be a more engaging way to present your content than static PDFs or text-based lessons. Generally, the Video Lesson feature in Thinkific provides a versatile way to present your PowerPoint presentation as a self-contained video lesson.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks when using a Video Lesson. One is that videos can be more time-consuming and expensive than other content types, particularly if you want to create high-quality content. Additionally, videos may be less accessible for students with disabilities or slow internet connections.
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Conclusion
To go back full circle, while Thinkific does not allow for the direct uploading of PowerPoint presentations, several options are still available for incorporating this type of content into your course. You can use a PDF, Presentation, or Video Lesson, each with unique benefits and drawbacks.
When deciding which option to use, consider your course content and goals to determine what will work best for your needs. It’s also important to remember that many resources are available to help you optimize your course content, including Microsoft’s article on turning a presentation into a video.
You can easily add engaging and informative PowerPoint presentations to your Thinkific course with the right approach and tools.