Using Impatica for PowerPoint

Impatica for PowerPoint takes your presentation and formats it for Web delivery, while easily retaining animations and audio. The resulting files require no plug-in and run fast, even on slow modems. Impatica does require a java-enable browser; however, a javaenabledbrowser is required for WebCT anyway. This document's aim is to present the best way to add narration to the original PowerPoint presentation, how to use the Impatica program to “translate” your presentation, and how to upload the finished presentation into your WebCT course. It is assumed that you are already familiar with the PowerPoint program and know how to create a presentation with animations.

About Recording Narration

The easiest option for creating narration with PowerPoint is to use the “Record Narration” option through the Slide Show menu inside PowerPoint. The extra equipment you may need are a microphone and set of speakers if you want to listen to your saved recordings.

Recording Narration in the PowerPoint Program

This option allows you to record the narration for your completed presentation. You will sit down and record the narration for the presentation as you move through your slides. PowerPoint will then save the narration and the timing for the slide transitions at the same time. It is highly recommended that you use a script to record your narration.

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation

2. Go to the Slide Show menu and choose Record Narration (See above). The Record Narration box shown below should appear.

3. Click the Set Microphone Level button so the recorder can determine your recording volume level. Talk into your microphone until the recording bar has adjusted to the correct level (the green level is the desired setting and it will automatically adjust after speaking into the microphone for a few seconds). Then Click OK.

4. Click the Change Quality button from the Record Narration Window. Impatica suggests that you change the quality of the sound recording to meet their specifications. The Format should remain at PCM. Select the down arrow beside the Attributes setting and select 8,000 kHz, 16 bit, Mono, and 15 kb/sec. Click OK.

5. Move through the presentation by clicking your mouse or using your space bar tomove from slide to slide; and say your narration into the microphone. Be sure to pause between each slide so that your words do not get cut off . When you reach the end of the presentation, right click on your mouse and select Pause Narration . Right click again and select End Show . PowerPoint will tell you that your narrations have been saved with each slide and ask you if you want to save the slide timings as well. (See example below) Click Save .

The only drawback to recording your narration this way is that there is an icon on each slide that shows that there is a recorded sound file attached to the slide. This is usually in the bottom right corner of the slide and is hardly noticeable. Be sure NOT to delete this icon unless you need to re- record your narration for an individual slide!

Click here to continue - How to Re-Record Narration for an Individual Slide and more!