SPU > Departments > ITS > Online Learning > Creating an Adobe Presenter Presentation (2003)
Creating an Adobe Presenter Presentation (2003):
   Recording Audio & Publishing on Your Own

 

This document outlines the process of creating a streaming presentation via PowerPoint 2003, with the Adobe Presenter plugin, using your personal computer for recording and publishing.

In order to create or publish your presentation, you first need an SPU Adobe Connect account.  If you do not have an account or have forgotten how to log in, please contact us so that we may assist you. 

Once you have an account, you will need to download the Adobe Presenter plugin from the Adobe Connect server before proceeding with the process of building a presentation.

Compose a script using Microsoft Word

Create a basic PowerPoint presentation

- Modifying the Slide Master

- Creating the title slide

- Creating content slides

- Heading levels

- Reorganizing slides

- Deleting a slide

Add your script to the notes pane

Add graphics to your presentation

Check your audio input

Record audio

Make the completed presentation available to others

- Setting Adobe Presenter Preferences

- Publishing your presentation

Updating your presentation

Compose a Script Using Microsoft Word

Online lectures are typically brief, condensed presentations of module content. They are intended to give students an overview of module material and/or to give insight into an important subject not fully covered in the readings. Online presentations typically average 15 minutes.

We recommend that you compose a script a) to accompany your presentation and b) for recording purposes.  Doing so helps you organize your thoughts and streamlines the recording process.  Also, the typed document can be used as a transcript for students to use in addition to viewing the online presentation.

As you prepare your script, choose a method for organizing your thoughts in writing that works best for you.  Also, proof and rehearse your final script by reading it aloud to make sure that it reads smoothly when you go to record.

Tip: In your script and presentation do not refer to specific page numbers or times of day (i.e. Good morning, class.).  Omitting references to times of day is important because students may view the presentation at any point during the day not just in the morning, afternoon, etc.  Omitting references to page numbers will reduce the chance that you will need to redo a presentation at a later date because a textbook changed editions.

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Create a Basic PowerPoint Presentation

When you first open PowerPoint, you should be in Normal View. To select Normal View, choose View>Normal.

Outline Pane
Use the Outline pane to type all of the text of your presentation and organize bullet points, paragraphs, and slides.

Slide pane
In the Slide pane, you can see how your text looks on each slide. You may also type and organize text in this pane.

Notes pane
The Notes pane lets you add corresponding portions of your script.

 Modifying the Slide Master

We strongly recommended that you use the Slide Master to set the default font, font size, bullet type, background color or theme before you begin creating your presentation.  To modify the Slide Master, choose View>Master>Slide Master.

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Creating the Title Slide

To begin, we will create the first slide in the presentation using the Slide pane. We will start by replacing “Click to Add Title” with the actual name of your lecture. This will be the only text on the first slide of your presentation.

  1. In the Slide pane, click on Click to add title.
  2. A flashing cursor will appear.  Type the title of your lecture.
  3. Choose File>Save, and save the PowerPoint to your computer.

 Creating Content Slides

Once the title slide has been created, we will turn to creating the rest of the presentation.

  1. To add a new slide, choose Insert>New Slide.
  2. To change the layout of your slide, choose Format>Slide Layout…
  3. Type the text you would like to display during the presentation either in the Slide pane or in the Outline pane.

    Note:  The title should represent in concise terms what the slide presents.  Note, too, that each slide should have a different title to make clear to students what is specifically addressed on that slide.

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Heading Levels

Often presentations contain different heading levels. For example;

To move text to the next-lower heading level (to indent) is called demoting an outline point.

  1. Click once on the text you want to demote.
  2. On the Formatting toolbar, click the Demote button (arrow pointing right).

To move text to the next-higher heading level is called promoting an outline point.

  1. Click once on the text you want to promote.
  2. On the Formatting toolbar, click the Promote button (arrow pointing left).

You may also control the heading levels as you type your slide content.  In the Slide or Outline pane, begin with typing your first line.  Press the Enter key to move to the next line, and press the Tab key to demote the text.  Each time you press enter, text will be typed in that same position.  If you want to promote the line back to the previous heading level, press Shift+tab to return back to the previous position.  Continue pressing Shift+tab until you reach the heading level you want.

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Reorganizing Slides

To reorganize a slide so that it appears in a different location within the same presentation,

Deleting a Slide

To delete a slide,

  1. In the Outline pane, click once on the slide icon you want to delete.
  2. Press Delete on your keyboard.
  3. To immediately undo a delete, choose Edit>Undo… or on your keyboard press “Ctrl + Z”.

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Add Your Script to the Notes Pane

Please copy and paste each section of your script into the Notes pane of the corresponding slide.  Doing so will a) align the transcript with the audio during the presentation and b) help you when you go to record your presentation.

  1. Open the Word document that contains your script.
  2. Leaving your Word document open, open your PowerPoint presentation
  3. In the Outline pane, click on the first slide in the presentation.
  4. Return to the Word document and select the text you want to copy.
  5. From the Edit menu, select Copy (“Ctrl + C”).
  6. Return to the PowerPoint presentation.
  7. Click once in the Notes pane of the slide to which you will be pasting the script.
  8. From the Edit menu, select Paste (“Ctrl + V”).
  9. Return to Step 4 and repeat this procedure for each slide in the presentation.

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Add Graphics to Your Presentation

You have the ability to add animation schemes and slide transitions to your presentation.  However, we recommend that you use these judiciously.  You also have the ability to insert graphics (Insert>Picture).  If you would like assistance with adding animations or graphics to your presentation, please contact us. 

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Check Your Audio Input

Your computer will need to have a sound card and microphone plugged into the audio input before you can begin recording.

Also, you will also want to check to see that your computer audio input is set to the microphone by doing the following:

PC (Windows XP)

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Choose Programs>Accessories>Entertainment>Volume Control
    (or double-click the Volume icon on your Taskbar).
  3. The Volume Control window will appear.
    Under the Options menu, choose Properties.
  4. Click the button next to Recording.
    Make sure the box next to Microphone is checked.
    Click OK.
  5. In the Recording Control window, make sure the box beneath Microphone is checked. 
    You can adjust the recording level by clicking and dragging the slider.

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Record Audio

  1. Returning to your PowerPoint presentation, choose Adobe Presenter >Preferences…
  2. Under the Audio Source tab, make sure that Microphone and Always prompt to set microphone level before recording are selected.  Click Close.
  3. Click Adobe Presenter >Record Audio…
  4. Read the displayed message to set the recording level. The “Checking Input Level” box will turn from red to green once the level is set. Click OK when finished.
  5. In the Record Audio window, check the box next to View Script.
  6. Click the Import Notes button.
  7. Click the button next to All Slides, and click OK.
  8. Click the Record button and begin reading your script.
  9. When you have finished recording audio for that slide, click the Stop Recording button.
  10. You may click the Play button to listen to what you have recorded.
    When ready, click the Next>> button to advance to the next slide.
  11. Repeat steps 8-10 until all audio has been recorded.
    Once you have finished recording your audio, click the OK button.
  12. Save your presentation.

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Make the Completed Presentation Available to Others

After you have finished recording audio and proofing your presentation, you are ready to publish it to the SPU Adobe Connect Server.  Once the presentation has been published, a link to the presentation will be automatically and immediately generated.  You may then post this link wherever needed.

To publish your presentation, you first need an SPU Adobe Connect account.  If you do not have an account or have forgotten how to log in, please contact us so that we may assist you.

Once your account is in place, you may publish your presentation by doing the following.

Setting Adobe Presenter Preferences

  1. Within your PowerPoint presentation, click Adobe Presenter >Preferences…
  2. Under the Presenters tab, click the Add… button.
  3. Fill in your information and add a picture of yourself, if desired. 
    Click OK when finished. 
    Note:  If you need assistance with posting a picture, please contact us.
  4. Click the Servers tab.
  5. Click the Add… button.
  6. In the Name field, type SPU Adobe Connect Server
    In the URL field, type http://media.spu.edu:8888
    Click the OK button.
  7. Click the Close button.

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Publishing Your Presentation

  1. Choose Adobe Presenter>Publish…
  2. On the left-hand side of the Publish window, click Adobe Connect Pro.
  3. Under the Adobe Connect Server Configuration section, check to see that the SPU Adobe Connect Server is listed.  If it is not listed, click the Edit Servers... button, and select the SPU Adobe Connect Server.
  4. On the right-hand side of the Publish window, click the Settings… button.
  5. In the Presentations Settings window, you may modify the title, add a description, and select additional options for how the presentation will play.  Once finished, click the OK button.
  6. Click the Publish button.  Depending upon the length of your presentation, it may take several minutes for the presentation to convert to the Adobe Presenter format.
  7. You will then be prompted to log into the Adobe Connect server.  Enter your username and password, and click Login.
  8. If you would like to organize your presentations into folders, click the New Folder button. Otherwise, click the Publish to This Folder button.
  9. Confirm the Title of your presentation.
    Leave the Custom URL field empty.
    Leave the Summary field empty.
    Make sure the Language is set to English.
    Click the Next> button.
  10. Click the Customize button.
  11. Click Yes to Allow public viewing.
  12. Click the Finish button.
  13. Once your presentation has loaded, you will see the URL (web address) listed for you.  You may post this link wherever needed.

Updating Your Presentation

At any time, you may modify your PowerPoint presentation and republish it to the Adobe Connect server.  Please be aware that when you republish your presentation, the new presentation will overwrite the old presentation.  The URL (web address), however, will not change.  It will remain the same.

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