Powerpoint and Scratch (the programming language)

PowerPoint and Scratch

Can you use Scratch inside PowerPoint?

At the moment the answer appears to be "no". There is

no obvious (easy) way to insert a scratch program into PowerPoint. Scratch

It is possible to insert screenshots of the program in action.

You can use the "PrtScn" button on the keyboard to capture

the screen shot and then paste it (ctrl-V) into a paint program.

Save the screenshot (as a jpg) and then import it into PowerPoint.

You could also capture the output (and interaction ) from a

scratch program as a video file. Use a video capture program

like Camtasia to grab the video. You can insert that video easily

into any PowerPoint slide.

Use PowerPoint slides inside Scratch

You can include PowerPoint slides in Scratch - although the

results may not be exactly what you want. All you have to do

is import a slide into a sprite box (click the folder icon above

the sprite box).

Why use Scratch with PowerPoint?

Many people want to use Scratch with PowerPoint because of

the level of interaction possible. However Scratch was designed

as an intuitive programming language for learning and games

rather than a presentation package (see: scratch.mit.edu). It

is possible to develop some impressive results but there are

also severe limitations.

If you want to develop an interactive presentation then a package

like Adobe Flash is more relevant. Flash is a bit more difficult

to learn but it has been designed for presentations as well

as games. It's also possible to develop a presentation in Flash

without using any programming.

It's also possible to import Flash presentations into PowerPoint -

although this is not intuitive. In many case it is easier to give

the presentation using Flash and forget about PowerPoint.

Why use PowerPoint with Scratch ?

If you have already developed a program with Scratch you may

be better off forgetting about PowerPoint and simply demonstrating

the program directly. If you are thinking of using Scratch to develop

a presentation have a look at the other options first.

Sometimes it is better to demonstrate what is possible rather than

the final result. In other words - rather than showing a working

demonstration of a program (which might go wrong) show screen shots

or a video that illustrate the main advantages.

The video option is particularly powerful because it can be paused

and restarted. It also eliminates the embarrassment of making a mistake.

Use Animated Graphics

If you want to make a point at a presentation and you were

going to developed a Scratch program to support it have

a look at other options - including pre-existing animated

graphics.

If you choose properly animated graphics are very powerful

because they draw attention to your key points.Have a look

at some examples here:

Animated Graphics

Remember - never use an animation of any kind unless it

re-enforce your key points.