Step-By-Step
PowerPoint And Blackboard
(Text version)

1. PowerPoint files can be attached to a Blackboard content area or folder in the same manner that any other file is attached to a content area or folder.

2. One of the problems often faced with using PowerPoint in Blackboard is that Microsoft PowerPoint documents can sometimes result in extremely large file sizes. This is usually the result of incorporating large format or high resolution images into the PowerPoint presentation. This may be of value when presenting the PowerPoint in class but presents problems when delivered over the Internet via a Blackboard course site.

3. When an image is inserted into a PowerPoint slide it is automatically sized to fit the slide. You can further adjust the size by clicking and dragging on any of the handles surrounding the image. However small you may resize the image, PowerPoint retains all of the information and resolution of the original image. This information is incorporated into the PPT file and affects the overall file size.

4. A simple and powerful method to greatly reduce the PowerPoint file size:

• When you are finished creating your PowerPoint presentation save a copy of the PPT file to your hard drive. Use this copy for classroom presentation.
  
• In your PowerPoint application, after all of the slides have been prepared, click on the View / Toolbars / Picture. This will display the PowerPoint Picture Toolbar.
• Click on the "Compress Pictures" icon in the Pictures toolbar. This will display the Compress Pictures Dialogue Box.
• Under "Apply To:" select the "All Pictures in Document" radio button.
• Under "Change Resolution" select the "Web/Screen" radio button.
• Under "Options" checkmark both the "Compress Pictures" and "Delete Cropped Areas of Pictures".
• Click on "OK". A warning box will be displayed. Click on "Apply". The images added to your PowerPoint are now compressed and the resolution is set for use of the web. Save this PPT file to your hard drive using a different file name. Use this compressed PowerPoint file on your Blackboard course site.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this Step-By-Step procedure contact the Tufts Blackboard Administrator at: nhirsig@tufts.edu