This paper is a literature review on practical techniques and guidelines using PowerPoint, animation, and video effectively for instruction. The motivation to collect research based guidelines for the creation and use of instructional media comes from Giordano and Trufant's observation that one of the common barriers that prevent faculty from successfully integrating technology into their teaching is a "lack of familiarity with best practices, knowledge, and research on the appropriate uses of technology in the classroom" [1]. This paper would be of interest to faculty and instructional technology staff who support faculty in the development of instructional media.