Office 365

Did you know CSM students have access to free Office 365? They can download the entire Microsoft Office on their own devices.

They just need to email pchelp@csm.edu and make the request.

IT will send them a link for them to download Office 365 and away they go.

PowerPoint Tips

Size is an issue with PowerPoint. Just because it is easy to add things to a slide doesn't mean it is right. Keep in mind someone has to download this thing!

First up - pictures. Please limit the size of your images before putting them onto a slide. A monitor can only display so much information, so any extra is pointless.

Quick Tip - use Compress Media when you are finished with your PowerPoint to save file space. Go to Info and select Compress Media.

compress media icon in powerpoint highlighted

Related to file size is audio. Do NOT put audio into PowerPoint slides and then expect someone to download them. This makes an very large file, thereby becoming time consuming to download.

If you want to add audio to a PowerPoint use VidGrid. This will create a video file that will be placed on media streaming servers, so rather than download the whole thing, users can watch the presentation online. This will provide a much better solution for your viewers.

With VidGrid you can allow students to download the video file to view offline,

VidGrid permission for viewers to download the file.

as well as add an attachment to the video. This would allow you to attach just the regular PowerPoint file along with the video, enabling students to open it and turn it into a notes document to follow along.