Creating Activity Schedules Using Microsoft® Powerpoint®

Abstract

We describe how PowerPoint presentation software can be used to create computer activity schedules to teach individuals with special needs. Presented are the steps involved in creating activity schedules with close-ended and open-ended activities, and for preparing schedules that include photos, sounds, text, and videos that can be used to occasion an individual's engagement in a variety of learning activities.

Activity Schedules, Computer Technology, and Teaching Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Stimulus events for the computer schedules were arranged in PowerPoint® because the software is relatively easy to use, has ample multimedia capabilities, and has a growing presence in the classroom. In addition, materials are available that instruct teachers in general education how to use such authoring tools (e.g., Caughlin, 2002); these materials are becoming available for special educators (e.g., Kimball, Kinney, Taylor, & Stromer, 2003;Rehfeldt, Kinney, Root, & Stromer, 2004). Kalaigian, Kinney, Taylor, Stromer, and Spinnato (2002) taught Emma-a 6-year-old with autism in a private day schoolto follow computer schedules in her classroom.…”

Using Animation in Microsoft PowerPoint to Enhance Engagement and Learning in Young Learners with Developmental Delay

“…For example, PowerPoint has been used effectively to help students with autism learn and respond effectively to activity schedules (Rehfeldt, Kinney, Root, & Stromer, 2004) and successfully complete other classroom assignments (Barton, Reichow, & Wolery, 2007;Carson & Kennedy, 2006;Phalen, 2004). When paired with use of a projection system and a large screen in the classroom, PowerPoint can be a particularly powerful instructional technology (Parette, Blum, & Hourcade, 2010;TechTerms.com, n.d.).…”

Using a Personal Digital Assistant to Increase Completion of Novel Tasks and Independent Transitioning by Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Traditionally, activity schedules and visual task analysis have been in the form of light tech, picture-based systems presented in a small notebook or desk top schedule (Banda and Grimmett 2008;Banda et al 2009;Bryan and Gast 2000;Carson et al 2008;Dettmer et al 2000;Dooley et al 2001;Lee 2006;MacDuff et al 1993;Massey and Wheeler 2000;Mechling 2007;Pierce and Schreibman 1994;Spriggs et al 2007) although some reports and research exist whereby computers and video-based systems have been used to present schedules (Dauphin et al 2004;Kimball et al 2004;Rehfeldt et al 2004;Stromer et al 2006) and multiple step tasks (Cannella-Malone et al 2006;Graves et al 2005;Mechling and Gustafson 2008;Norman et al 2001;Sigafoos et al 2005).…”