לדף הבית

   לוח שנת הלימודים תשס"ח

   לוח שנת הלימודים תשס"ט

   שנתון

   לוח מודעות

   לוח מבחנים

   סדנא דידקטית

   חנות הספרים

   מחלקת אור קולי

   הזמנת אישור לימודים וציונים



COMPUTER AIDED PRESENTATION

Advantages
Disadvantages
Slides
Giving the presentation
Handouts
Lecturer's notes
Setting up

The objective of this essay is not to teach how to put together a PowerPoint (or similar computer-based) presentation, but to instruct on various methods of using it properly as a teaching tool.

INTRODUCTION

The PowerPoint presentation (or other presentation program) has all the capabilities of the overhead projector's transparency.

Advantage

1-Preparations can be done anywhere, on any computer, with no need to transfer to an outside, physical object (e.g., transparencies)
2-Color is an intricate part, not an addition.
3-Animations and effects are part of the program.
4-Ability to instantaneously link to any file, picture, etc. in the computer, network or internet.
5-Easily changed, and the slides can be archived for use in other presentations.
6-As technology continues to be developed, integrating video is becoming simpler.


Then again, the drawbacks are well worth considering: Disadvantages

1-Both a computer and computer projector are needed for classroom presentation.
      a-cost of purchasing equipment is high
      b-setting up the equipment takes time
2-During the presentation, there is little flexibility -- changing the order during a presentation takes time and stops the continuity of the lesson (and could be very awkward).
3-There is more technology (machines) to deal with, meaning more possibility for something to go wrong.

SLIDES

{Slide presentation is similar to that of the overhead transparency.}
  • Letters should be relatively large, big enough for the person sitting furthest away to read clearly.
  • Do not make "busy" slides. There is no need to put all the information on it, only the key items. You, as teacher, will verbally fill in the specifics. Keep the slide neat, readable, and with a logical progression.

PowerPoint comes with standard "clipart," animations, transitions and sound effects.
  • Use these (or others "flashy" items) only when they will add to the presentation.
  • Animations and transitions can sometimes come in or go out slowly. You do not want to have to wait around while the animations or transitions are affected.

If possible, test out the entire presentation on the computer you will use..
[It is your tool to use. Don't be run by it.]
You might have to make minor corrections due to specific computer "peculiarities" such as slower speed or different fonts.

POINTERS FOR A BETTER PRESENTATION

It is always preferable that no information be projected when not referring to the specific slide, since the learner's attention will be at least partially focused on the projection.

Turning off the projector with these technologies is not practical, since:
  • It usually takes a number of minutes for the projector to cool off then turn off, as well as an extended period it to warm up and attain its maximum lighting strength.
  • Turning on and off of the projector could cause unnecessary wear and tear on the machine.
Three methods should be considered in lieu of turning off the projector.
  1. Inserting a blank (black) slide in the space where you do not want the learners to be concentrating on the projection. (This method, of course, must be planned from the outset and cannot be added on the spot, such as in the case of an unplanned discussion.)
  2. Most projectors have the ability to blackout the screen while keeping the projector running. This blacking, or picture muting (much like sound muting), is usually only available via the projector's remote control. Make certain the remote and the blanking capability are tested before the lesson. (On occasion, the remote may need a change of batteries or may only work in certain areas of the classroom where it makes contact with the projector's infrared eye.)
  3. With a portable computer, the screen toggle function can be used to blank the projection. [Push the Fn key with the function (F4, F5, etc.) key with the double screen icon. This will cause the active screen to change from computer to projector to both together.]

Pointing directly onto the projection (on the large screen) could prove difficult or awkward as a method of emphasis or showing direction.
  1. Program to "reveal" a sentence, word or graphic.
  2. Change colors, fonts, make boxes, etc. to distinguish a sentence, phase or word.
  3. Use a laser pointer.
  4. Use the computer's mouse to point.
HANDOUTS

One of the many advantages of the powerpoint presentation is that handouts can be easily made of every slide, allowing the viewer/student to have a paper copy of the presentation.

Powerpoint allows the printing of numerous formats of handouts, for example: one slide per page, two slides per page six slides per page. In the three slides per page handout format, there are lines for the viewer to write in notes (excellent for student use).

LECTURER'S NOTES

The "notes page" capability of Powerpoint allows the presenter to make notes about each slide or write out the actual text to be used when the slide is presented. These notes become imbedded in the presentation, but are not seen. They can be printed out (with a picture of the slide), and easily used by the presenter during the presentation.

SETUP

  • First, set up the projector, attaching the electricity cable to the projector and the electrical outlet.
  • Connect the computer to electricity, if needed. (Many portable computers have an intermediary transformer or power pack between the computer and the electrical socket. Portable computers can also be powered by their internal batteries in lieu of an electrical connection.)
  • Connect the computer to the projector. *
    If the computer is not a portable one, you will have to detach the monitor from the computer. Then, connect the projector via the cable supplied to the socket in the computer which the monitor was previously attached. In order to view from the monitor and projector, the monitor will have to be connected to the VGA OUT socket on the projector. Many of the smaller projectors do not have a VGA OUT, therefore the only way to view the image both projected and on the monitor is to place a special cable or junction box with split connections from the computer, one to the projector, the other for the monitor.
  • Turn on the projector. (Different projectors have different ways of being turned on and off. Refer to the specific projector's manual.)
  • Turn on/boot up the computer. Let the computer finish its booting, whether the image is viewed only on the monitor, projection, or both.
  • When a projector is attached to a portable computer, the computer automatically selects which screen it wants; either the computer screen, the projection, or both. You can then toggle be between these three possibilities by using the screen toggle function on the computer. [Push the Fn key with the function (F4, F5, etc.) key with the double screen icon. This will cause the active screen to change from computer to projector to both together. Give it a few seconds to change.] The three possibilities that will be shown are: blank monitor + projection; monitor + no projection; monitor + projection.
    NOTE:

    1. It is always good procedure to number your slides in order to always know where you are in the presentation, or to easily jump to another point in the presentation when needed.
    2. The projector for the computer or video is, in this country, popularly called a "barco." Barco is a technology company in Belgium which produces many video related items, but does not produce any of the small projectors that are used in most presentations.
    3. Most projectors today can be easy attached to a video or DVD player. The projector can then be simply switched from computer to video mode by pushing the "imput" switch(on the projector or remote control) to the proper mode.


    Ó 2005 Steven F. Rosenberg