Best Part-Time PowerPoint Bootcamps

While the uses of PowerPoint are nearly limitless, the fundamentals of the program can be mastered in a relatively short amount of time. This means that choosing the right course can be quite straightforward: simply determine what content you need to master and what class will work best for your schedule. Live online or in-person PowerPoint classes are generally available in daylong sessions, whether introductory or advanced, or as multi-day bootcamps. If you have less concentrated time to devote to the subject and don’t need to master PowerPoint quickly, you may opt for a self-paced class that is spread out over several months. Regardless of the path you take, you’ll find it’s possible to learn the material at a pace and to a level that works for you. This article will explore the best part-time PowerPoint classes and bootcamps, and compare them to more intensive classes. 

Why Learn PowerPoint Part Time?

The most efficient use of time and money for many people looking to learn the fundamentals of PowerPoint will be to take an introductory class. This type of class often runs one full day--so while it’s not part-time per se, it is over and done with very quickly and allows students to cover the basics and then move on in whatever way works best for them. Intro classes are usually available both workdays and weekend days to meet the needs of learners with differing schedules. An intro class will cover many of the basics of PowerPoint, including incorporating text with graphics, charts, illustrations, tables, layered objects, and SmartArt. For those who want to know the basics, an introductory class may be all that’s needed. If you find you need to uplevel, you’ll have to return to the classroom to take an advanced or specialized class at a later date, or practice the skills consistently on your own. 

For learners who want to gain expert-level PowerPoint skills, an advanced class will be the way to go. Many advanced courses can also be completed in a day, but unlike introductory classes, students will need to have mastered the prerequisites--whether in an introductory class or through self-study--before enrolling. The class will generally cover such topics as custom themes, incorporating animation and video, and integrating charts and tables from Microsoft Excel. Taking an introductory course first and then following up with an advanced class at a later date can mean having time to implement those basic skills for a while before moving to the next level. On the other hand, many students prefer the fast-paced and immersive environment of a bootcamp, which will go from beginner to advanced skills in rapid succession.

Self-paced online classes are one of the simplest ways to learn PowerPoint part-time. They are especially helpful for those with inflexible schedules or who can take their time to learn the material. These classes generally provide a suite of videos and slide decks that provide step-by-step instruction in presentation creation and design. Students can go at the pace that works for them, and can skip around if there are subjects they already feel comfortable with. This can mean taking weeks or even months to master the material, but allows for an entirely flexible schedule--a huge benefit for busy learners.

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Drawbacks to Learning PowerPoint Part Time

Learning PowerPoint part-time through introductory and advanced classes allows for a slow build, which might work well if it’s a challenge to commit to several days in a row (or more) away from the office or familial responsibilities. Students may prefer to complete one level and then work on the basics of PowerPoint on their own, fine-tuning their skills by working on independent projects before returning to the classroom--for example, taking an introductory class in the spring and then enrolling in an advanced class in the fall. The drawback to this method is that independent skillbuilding can be frustrating and labor-intensive: without the benefit of a set syllabus or teacher feedback, learners may find they get hung up on what might actually be fairly simple skills to master in a classroom setting.

There’s another disadvantage to working independently between classes or in place of an advanced class--the lack of instructor guidance can mean learners lose steam and give up before they ever master the advanced skills. Working outside of a classroom can also be dispiriting; without the vibrant energy of in-person or online classroom, the learning process can feel plodding and slow. 

On-demand classes, on the other hand, have their own drawbacks, one of which is the lack of direct, personalized instruction and feedback. Without this level of attention, it can be quite easy for students to fall behind or give up on the course altogether when the going gets tough. When issues pop up along the way in a live PowerPoint class, whether technical or design-related, an experienced teacher can be relied upon to support students and help them get back on track. In a self-paced course, students may find themselves scrambling to troubleshoot and having a hard time finding accurate and up-to-date information. This stands in stark contrast to an in-person or live online bootcamp, where problems can be solved right away, leading to less frustration in the long run.

Is a Part Time PowerPoint Bootcamp Right for You?

A part-time PowerPoint schedule will allow learners to begin mastering skills on their own time, and at their own pace. Whether opting for individual classes that build on one another but choosing to take breaks between them or teaching yourself using self-paced on-demand classes, making a study of PowerPoint on a part-time basis will mean your work schedule isn’t affected, you can continue attending to family and social obligations, and life goes on pretty much as usual.

The most important consideration when deciding to learn PowerPoint part-time is whether you have the discipline to keep working towards your goal outside the structure of a bootcamp. One way to ensure you won’t throw in the towel is to have a goal in mind: knowing that you want to create a slideshow for a family event, design a brochure for a volunteer position, or build a presentation to share with clients may give you the push you need to keep building your skill set. On the other hand, if you struggle with self-directed learning or carving out time to take part-time or short-term classes, you will find you’re better off with a PowerPoint bootcamp spread out over a few days: this kind of accelerated learning won’t give you time to back off and give up.

Ways to Make Learning PowerPoint Part Time Easier

One way to make learning PowerPoint part-time easier is to have a watertight plan in place. This might mean scheduling your introductory class for next week and then scheduling an advanced class for two months from now. Paying ahead of time is often a strong enticement to finishing what you start. The psychological principle of “sunken cost” encourages people to stick with something if they’ve invested time and/or money into it--and it’s a very real phenomenon. This can mean that free or inexpensive products and services are more likely to be abandoned than those that require some initial outlay of money. (It’s similar to the argument that explains why you’re more likely to go to the gym if you’ve already paid for the membership than if you have to pay each time you go.) 

Scheduling your classes ahead of time can help in another way, and it involves a different psychological phenomenon called the “anticipation effect”--in other words, looking forward to something in the future can actually have a positive impact on our current mental state and behavior. You may find that planning to take multiple PowerPoint classes gives you a spring in your step, making you feel more productive and confident before you’ve even stepped foot in the classroom (whether in-person or online).

If you opt for self-paced bootcamps, a great way to proceed is to create your own schedule. Sure, there’s no outside accountability per se--but that doesn’t mean you need to rely entirely on intrinsic motivation. Take a look at the syllabus and determine which modules you’ll complete when. Make a note of these dates in a paper calendar or set up notifications on your phone or computer. Then, hold yourself accountable. You may even find that creating a rewards system is helpful: planning to give yourself a small treat after you complete each module may encourage you to move at the pace you’ve set up for yourself.

Choosing the Best Part Time PowerPoint Classes or Bootcamp

The most efficient use of time and money for many people looking to learn the fundamentals of PowerPoint will be to start with an introductory class. This type of class often runs one full day, and is available on a workday or a weekend day to meet the needs of learners with differing schedules. It’s also worth looking for classes that are shorter but spread out over several sessions, so that you’re learning the material over the course of a few weeks rather than a few concentrated hours. An intro class will cover many of the basics of PowerPoint, including incorporating text with graphics, charts, illustrations, tables, layered objects, and SmartArt. If you find you need to uplevel, you’ll have to return to the classroom to take an advanced or specialized class at a later date, or practice the skills consistently on your own. 

Learning PowerPoint on a part-time basis may be the way that works best for you--but it’s important to set yourself up for success when making a decision about learning style. Online classes are a great fit for many learners, because they cut out the commute and allow people to work from the comfort of their own homes. Live online classes are generally offered over a platform like Zoom and designed to simulate the experience of being in a real live classroom. There is still the opportunity for direct instruction, hand-raising, and trouble-shooting. Many students find they learn better at home, where they can use their own computers and sit in their familiar workspaces, which may lead to a higher level of comfort with the software. One drawback is that working from home can mean there are distractions. If you do decide to learn PowerPoint at home, do your best to minimize distractions: invest in noise-canceling headphones, find a quiet spot, and close your browser windows and apps so you’re not tempted to shop or catch up on your emails.

In-person classes are preferable for students who may be less distracted in a classroom environment and enjoy the social interactions they can experience there. They provide a stimulating classroom environment, with teacher oversight and a distraction-free place to learn. It can be fun to go “back to school,” in part because of the camaraderie of a group of classmates working on projects at the same time. A good teacher will foster a sense of growth mindset, the idea that our abilities are not fixed but that we can continue to learn and improve. This kind of encouraging classroom space will make it much easier to take on material that might otherwise be challenging. One issue with in-person learning is that it may not be accessible to you. Depending on where you live, you may find there isn’t an in-person option for you at all, or it is very limited in terms of scheduled offerings. If that’s the case, or if you learn better from home, a live online class will be the right fit.

Both options are widely available--if you know where to look. Online training centers like Noble Desktop, NYIM, and NYC Career Centers are great places to start your search. You’ll find in-person and live online classes often available at basic and advanced levels--and if you decide part-time options won’t be enough, you can enroll in their all-in-one bootcamps. The benefit of a bootcamp is being able to move quickly through beginner concepts to more advanced material, so that you walk away from the class with all the skills you need to design effective and attractive presentations using PowerPoint. With instruction led by industry experts and a project-based, bespoke curriculum, classes at a training center like Noble Desktop will guarantee you learn everything you need to know.