Topic 4 - Electronic Presentation

The use of electronic presentations as teaching and learning tools has become increasingly popular amongst teachers in schools. There are many kinds of software introduced. However, in this topic, our discussions will revolve around the use of Microsoft PowerPoint.

Uses and Advantages

 There are many kinds of software available in producing electronic presentations. Among them are Microsoft PowerPoint and the Harvard Graphics as seen in Figure  below:

According to Shaifol (2004), the use of animation, graphics, audio, video and text in media for any presentation will:

• Attract the interest of consumers
• Motivate consumers
• Facilitate easy understanding amongst consumers

The electronic presentation characteristic which allows the continuous movement of slides makes it possible as a platform to produce animated movements without rendering. This electronic presentation is normally used as a preview at the initial stages before the animation is compiled. The aim of using electronic presentations in animated movement is to display the movement without having to rely on the rendering process, which is time consuming.

Electronic presentations are user-friendly as well as possess command buttons that are easily understood and do not require programming codes. As a result of its user-friendly nature and its ability to combine various media such as video, animation, graphics, audio and text, this software is suitable in creating backdrop presentations.

Apart from that, this combination of media electronic presentation is interactive in nature. Hence, this electronic presentation software is widely used in the teaching and learning process in classrooms. Electronic presentation also allows the teaching and learning process to be highly interesting as complex ideas are easily illustrated and this undoubtedly motivates learners.

Layout

Layout in electronic presentation software is the knowledge or skill used to lay and arrange media on display with the intention of creating an attractive presentation. The ability to lay and arrange good and effective media elements will bring positive results on the presentation.

The Development of Basic Slides Presentation

There are five elements used in the design of electronic presentation software. Not all five of these media have to be used in any one electronic presentation. The software designer has to be very adept in using electronic presentation media to produce a presentation that gives the best and most effective impact on the user.

• The elements to consider in the design of the storyboard are as follows:
  • Background colour
  • Font type
  • Size of alphabets
  • Colours of the alphabets
  • Picture format
  • Video format
  • Audio format
  • Animation format

• Sample Storyboard

This storyboard is sketched in a flow, showing the sketches on the screen and the interactive patterns of the software.