Presentation Softwares

ICT INPUTS IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE LEARNING

PRESENTATION SOFTWARES 

A presentation software is a software package used to display information in the form of a slide show. It is a application software that is specifically designed to allow users to create a presentation of ideas by stringing together text, images and audio/video. 

It has three major functions: 

 an editor that allows text to be inserted and formatted, 

 a method for inserting and manipulating graphic images, and 

 a slide-show system to display the content.

A presentation program is supposed to help both the speaker with an easier access to his ideas and the participants with visual information which complements the talk.

Essential kit for presentation includes laptop, projector, wireless mouse, sound system & necessary cables. 

Some common presentation softwares are 

 Microsoft PowerPoint 

 Apple Keynote 

 Libre Office Impress 

 Google Slides 

 Prezi 

 LinkedIn SlideShare

Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation : 

A slide show software program by Microsoft for windows operating system. 

Apple Keynote Presentation : A slide show software program by Apple 

Libre Office Impress Presentation : A presentation program resembling Microsoft PowerPoint. Presentations can be exported as SWF files, allowing them to be viewed on any computer with Adobe Flash Player installed. 

Google Slides Presentation : 

A free, web-based software office suite for slide presentation offered by Google within its Google Drive service. 

Prezi Presentation : 

Prezi is a presentation tool that can be used as an alternative to traditional slide making programs such as PowerPoint. Instead of slides, Prezi makes use of one large canvas that allows you to pan and zoom to various parts of the canvas and emphasize the ideas presented there. 

LinkedIn SlideShare : 

LinkedIn SlideShare is a Web 2.0–based slide hosting service. Users can upload files privately or publicly in the following file formats: PowerPoint, PDF, Keynote or OpenDocument presentations. Slide decks can then be viewed on the site itself, on hand held devices or embedded on other sites.

Basic Rules for Presentations

Contrast is important – Dark text on a light background.

In order to fit your presentation on most screens, text and images should be placed within 95% of the PowerPoint slide.

Layout continuity from frame to frame conveys a sense of completeness.

Headings, subheadings, and logos should show up in the same spot on each frame.

Margins, fonts, font size, and colors should be consistent with graphics located in the same general position on each frame.

Lines, boxes, borders, and open space also should be consistent throughout the slides.

Use 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation.

Write in point form, not complete sentences.

Avoid wordiness; use key words and phrases only.

No More than One Topic per Slide.

6 X 6 rule : 6 lines of text and 6 words per line

Font Style Should be Readable – Recommended fonts: Arial, Tahoma, Veranda

Standardize the Font throughout the slides.

Text size -Select Readable Type Size- Minimum 36 point for titles – 24 point for body text

Don‟t Sacrifice Readability for Style

Do not use all capital letters

Italics – Used for “quotes” – Used to highlight thoughts or ideas – Used for book, journal, or magazine titles

Use a Template, Use a set font and color scheme. Different styles are disconcerting to the audience. You want the audience to focus on what you present, not the way you present.

Use the Same Background on each slide

Don‟t use multiple backgrounds in your presentation

Dark Slides with Light Colored Text Work Best in large halls

Clashing colors provide readability (Use contrasting colours to text)

Use Illustrations only when needed

Simple diagrams & graphics are great communicators

More room for text,More pleasing to the eye.

Use Bullets : Limit the number of bullets in a screen to 6 . Keep bullet points brief

Limit Animation :Use the same animation throughout the entire presentation

Spelling and Grammar• Proof read your slides for – spelling mistakes – the use of of repeated words – grammatical errors you might have make

Conclusion: Use an effective and strong closing – Your audience is likely to remember your last words. Summarize the main points of your presentation

It is better to end your presentation with a simple question slide to think on

Simplicity is the best