Consequential Challenges in Designing PowerPoint Presentations as Teaching Strategies: Analyses of cases in Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This study examined the challenges academic staff and students face while designing
PowerPoint presentations. The study was qualitative in its design. Six case slides from five
senior academic staff in Addis Ababa University (Assistant Professor and above) and one fifth
year PhD candidate were used as data sources. As forwarded by scholars, analysis was made
using slide designing criteria and associated consequences. The findings revealed that except
for the font size and limited bullet usage in some cases, the slide-designing criteria, including
the principles of segmenting and coherence, were all violated. Professionals should continue
using the tool but must reassess and change how they use it. Higher education institutions,
and other organizations for that matter, need to train their professionals on how presentation
slides should be designed and presented. Similar training needs to be arranged for students
as they are exposed to model how their teachers are doing things.