How to Create E-Learning Content with PowerPoint and Microsoft Forms
Question details
The user wants to create cost-effective e-learning materials using PowerPoint for instruction and Microsoft Forms for quizzes, as an alternative to expensive LMS platforms.
- Product
- PowerPoint, Microsoft Forms, SharePoint, OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating and distributing e-learning content without a dedicated Learning Management System (LMS).
- Observed behavior
- The user needs a method to integrate Forms into PowerPoint and securely distribute the presentation to learners for viewing and quiz completion, recognizing the lack of native LMS publishing features.
Ensure that your Microsoft Forms quizzes are set to accept responses from your intended audience (either 'Anyone can respond' or limited to people in your organization) before distributing the links.
Host E-Learning Modules in a SharePoint Document Library
Use SharePoint to securely store your PowerPoint files and manage learner access within your organization.
SharePoint is ideal for internal training because it allows you to utilize document libraries with robust permission controls. While it won't provide SCORM tracking like Articulate, it serves as a highly effective central repository for your e-learning materials.
Navigate to your SharePoint site, click on 'New', and select 'Document library'. Give your library a relevant name such as 'Training Modules'.
Click the 'Upload' button to add your PowerPoint presentation that contains the embedded Microsoft Forms links or hyperlinked quiz URLs.
Go to the library settings or select the specific file, choose 'Manage Access', and ensure that your learners are granted 'Can view' permissions so they cannot accidentally edit the training material.
Distribute Presentations via OneDrive
For smaller groups or external sharing, OneDrive provides a quick and flexible way to distribute your e-learning content.
Create and Share E-Learning Modules with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a seamless way to create instructional slides using WPS Presentation, link out to quizzes, and distribute the files via WPS Cloud without needing expensive software or complex SharePoint setups.
- 1. Design Your Slides: Open WPS Presentation to design your instructional e-learning slides.
- 2. Insert Quiz Links: Select text or an image on your slide, press Ctrl+K (or Cmd+K on Mac), and paste the hyperlink to your online quiz (such as Microsoft Forms or Google Forms).
- 3. Save to WPS Cloud: Save your presentation directly to WPS Cloud from within the application.
- 4. Share with Learners: Click the 'Share' button in the top right corner, set the permission to 'View Only', and copy the generated link to distribute to your students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track learner progress in PowerPoint like I can in dedicated LMS platforms?
No, PowerPoint and Microsoft Forms do not have native SCORM compliance or advanced progress tracking. You will need to rely on the response timestamps and scores collected within Microsoft Forms to verify that a learner has completed the module.
Do my learners need a Microsoft 365 license to view the presentation?
If you share the file via OneDrive with an 'Anyone with the link' setting, learners do not need a license to view it in their web browser. However, accessing restricted SharePoint libraries typically requires proper organizational Microsoft 365 accounts.
How do I embed a Microsoft Form directly into a PowerPoint slide?
In supported versions of PowerPoint, you can go to the 'Insert' tab and select 'Forms' to embed a quiz directly onto the slide. Alternatively, you can insert a standard hyperlink pointing to the Form's sharing URL, which will open the quiz in the learner's default web browser.
