Digital Solutions, An Interactive Jeopardy Game PowerPoint, & The Technology Gap
Digital Solutions, An Interactive Jeopardy Game PowerPoint, & The Technology Gap
Embedded Files
This post serves two purposes - first is to share a fun 'game' I created in a PowerPoint in hopes it brings your team a fun time, and the second purpose is to tell you why I created it, and things like it.
This post serves two purposes - first is to share a fun 'game' I created in a PowerPoint in hopes it brings your team a fun time, and the second purpose is to tell you why I created it, and things like it.
Don't worry - unlike a recipe article, I have linked the PowerPoint just below this paragraph, so if you're only interested in the template with instructions for a currently Halloween themed Jeopardy game (feel free to change it!) it's not far. But if you want to hear more about how this MacGyver'd game, and a Family Feud game, and other creative Microsoft tools have been engaging my dispersed teams at virtual and in-person events for years, read on.
Engaging Teams with Creative Solutions in Standard Tools
Engaging Teams with Creative Solutions in Standard Tools
Unless you have the privilege to purchase all of the latest tools and applications, it's necessary to get creative with what you have and 'make do' with a variety of tasks. Microsoft operating systems still come with what are now apps of paint and video editors which are technically capable of performing many of the same tasks as Illustrator (AI), Premier, and Photoshop. It's just more complicated.
But if you had to draw out each custom shape, circles, creating drop shadows with light grey and black lines and shapes, you can accomplish many amazing things (and seriously - pixel art? It's gorgeous and @dobe isn't necessary).
But if you had to draw out each custom shape, circles, creating drop shadows with light grey and black lines and shapes, you can accomplish many amazing things (and seriously - pixel art? It's gorgeous and @dobe isn't necessary).
But with AI - the same thing can be done in three clicks: effects; drop shadow; apply. A menu automated all the steps artists took in Paint, and simply applied it.
But with AI - the same thing can be done in three clicks: effects; drop shadow; apply. A menu automated all the steps artists took in Paint, and simply applied it.
I am grateful that this is now my experience with technology and software, but I didn't always have this luxury. This is just ONE example of how the technical gap truly affects individuals and small businesses, and certainly makes tasks more timely and complicated, and thus more costly to those without. This has also been my experience, and I still advocate for open source software and leveraging in-house tech /better/ before investing in more.
Learning the techniques within native programs has helped me to perform tasks in a more automated way. These techniques have served me well, and now I use them to make Jeopardy games... and other really cool tools that save time.
I know - my job rocks. I also get paid to draw :D
In 2020, these skills were really put to the test when virtual games became the norm.... for years.
As the company 'Social Coordinator' I scheduled these recurring events, and hoped to offer an experience that employees didn't dread. Those monthly virtual game nights with my team on TEAMS started with the games mentioned above, then got more varied as they went on with scategories, but some form of Jeopardy still remains a favorite among my team (They have great taste).
These Jeopardy PowerPoint games were easy enough to pull together (The links and animations, not the questions - that took some time!), they were simple to present and swap between slides even if the links failed, and worked with the environment and everyone's tech. Embedding songs from YouTube and sound effects was simple enough, animations helped time entrances, and best of all was my team engaged with them even if they didn't always like my incessant positivity or when they got the answers wrong. We all laughed anyway and always learned something new, even it it was just a random fact.
Great times with coworkers over trivia was a positive experience through the pandemic. I guess that's why I want to share it - I hope you have a fun time or create your own board!
Managing a SharePoint intranet requires the same engaging mindset.
Managing a SharePoint intranet requires the same engaging mindset.
I could talk for hours about SharePoint. Today I build more business related tools than games - Task tracking applications, automated dashboards, deliverable schedules, and more through this amazing tool. Not just automated emails, but collection feeds and tracking graphics to assist with visually monitoring information. This small quality improvement can also assist visual-learners with their data consumption through displaying important information through visual aids. Intranets don't have to be boring.
How do you tell employees about new policies? Do you share information about recent events, and tips for staying cyber-safe? I often embed a 'game' into many of the intranet experiences I create. Quizzes don't have to be hard or even overly serious, but 'testing' knowledge when you've released a new policy or expectation is a helpful way to measure employees understanding and identify areas for improvement in communication.
Don't be afraid to go 'out-of-the-box' with your expectations and ideas. I hope this makes you think about your technology and how you can use it in a more creative way to solve anything. If you have an idea let me know what that is, or what you accomplished already! I'd love to share ideas.
Thanks for reading, friend!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse