Power Point Presentations

The articles were very interesting to read and really did help me out a lot. Though the information they gave seemed somewhat obvious, I didn’t realize just how significant an influence a good (or bad) presentation can have on one’s audience. I was intrigued by the research done on the color schemes and how to most effectively use them. I also thought it was a good point made when one article reminded me how the audience cannot read the slides and listen to the narrator at the same time without missing out on something. I’m glad these articles were here to teach me. I always knew how to make a power point, but now I know how to use them to their fullest potential. I wish some of my professors would consider what was said in these articles, since many of their power point presentations are weak and sometimes even get on my nerves. The worst is when a professor overloads a slide with too much information or uses too many images and animations that it actually detracts from the valuable information. My biggest pet peeve, however, is when a professor just stands there and reads from the slides as if they were a script. I rarely take anything away from those lectures. Because of these annoyances and the inspiration from the articles, I have created a short list of my Best Power Point Presentation Tips for my peers to read and share. Hopefully this helps someone.

5. Make sure that your power point is easy to understand and follow. Your audience won’t be able to process the slides if the font size isn’t legible or if the font color blends into the background.

4. Avoid using “cheesy” cartoons and clipart from Microsoft Word. These images have been seen again and again. Instead, upload your own photographs to add a professional appeal. Graphs are also ideal for easily comparing groups of data.

3. It is very important that your slides connect to each other and have a uniform look throughout. Microsoft Word has saved a set of templates and themes to help you with this.

2. Avoid distracters that can take away from your presentation. DO be sure to make your slides interesting, but DO NOT go overboard. Simplicity and plenty of “white space” is a good thing. The text is usually the most important factor for the audience to digest, so limit complicated backgrounds and overwhelmingly large images.

And the number one tip I have to share with you is…

1. Remember that a power point is a visual aid- and just that. It is there to support the narrator’s words, so don’t simply have the slides repeat what is said, and whatever you do, never just read straight from the slides. You will quickly lose interest from your audience. Turn the screen off while talking if necessary: just make sure the audience’s attention is on YOU.

My Experiences with Excel

I remember filling out a job application once and being asked if I had any special knowledge/expertise in some particular computer areas, Excel included. At the time I wondered why it was really even that big a deal, but now I am starting to understand. I have never been that great with computers, but I figured I could get by. Now that I know that’s no longer good enough, (I did fail that computer skills exam after all) I’m glad to be receiving this chance to better my skills. I always had the basic idea of Excel and could manage it whenever I needed to. This class, however, is finally revealing to me exactly how complicated Excel can be and how to finally tackle it in the most efficient way. Because of the true-to-life examples we’ve had in class, I now know how Excel can help in making spreadsheets, an important process for collecting data together and analyzing it. Teachers, for instance, can use Excel to enter in student grades, while the average individual can update their finances and income statements via Excel. Excel is also useful because of its ability to perform mathematical calculations with ease and create graphs and tables with a simple click of the button. Already, I am using Excel quite frequently in my Biology Lab, since it requires a number of statistical analysis. Once data and observations are collected, my lab partners and I can enter the information in Excel and figure the results right away. My group is always one of the first done with our in-class assignments, and I can thank Excel, and my new-found knowledge of it, for speeding up a normally complicated process.

Photography Manipulation

Of all the pictures available to choose from, I ended up picking the very last photograph of Clement Hurd, the author of the children’s classic, Goodnight Moon. It was ironic for me to see this, because just two days ago, I saw this very picture on a TV game show I was watching with my parents. Goodnight Moon was one of my favorite books as a kid, so when the question was asked about which author’s photo had been digitally altered on his book’s dust jacket, I immediately eliminated Hurd as one of the four possibilities. But sure enough, I was proven wrong. I rushed to my room where I knew the book would be somewhere and when found, was shocked to see Hurd there, a smoking cigarette in his hand. (I have the older version.) The picture was originally taken, probably a candid by a non-professional photographer, and used to represent Hurd as the author who wrote and illustrated the famous story that has preceded perhaps millions of children’s bedtimes. After the picture comes a short passage on Hurd’s life and accomplishments- a typical “About the Author” addition to most books. For its 60th anniversary, the original publisher of Goodnight Moon reprinted the book in mass produce but also digitally removed the cigarette in Hurd’s hand. The fact that Hurd was holding a cigarette the first time around never attracted any controversy, most likely because, at the time, smoking was a completely acceptable habit. But in today’s times, many anti-smoking advocates are determined to wipe out such images and allusions, especially in this case of a classic children’s book, to prevent any encouragement to actually start smoking. I completely understand why the publishing company felt the need, and perhaps, the responsibility to remove the cigarette from Hurd’s hand. I honestly can’t remember seeing another dust jacket where the author on it was smoking, especially one on a children’s book. Even though it is not a major focal point of the book, the publisher, I’m sure, still doesn’t want to provide a possible interest in young people to start smoking. On the other hand, I also think this new, altered form of the photograph is not a true representation of the author it portrays. Now the picture depicts Hurd standing with his hand raised in the air, giving the idea that he might be reaching out for something. In my opinion, I believe the publishing company should have to ask Hurd for permission to alter his picture, but this could not be done because Hurd has since passed away. His son was then asked for permission and originally balked. He said later that he felt pressured by the publishing company to allow the alteration and only gave away the photograph’s rights half-heartedly. In a way, it makes me sad that the publishing company is so worried about the public’s reaction to such a photo, and rightfully so, that it felt the need to manipulate the photograph. To me, it only depicts a cheerfully smiling man on the back cover of an amazing bedtime story- I wouldn’t even notice the cigarette. Overall, I have mixed feelings about the changes made to the picture and don’t really know if it did more harm than good or more good than harm. I do understand, however, the both viewpoints on the issue.

The Center for Learning and Technology

When I first walked into the CLT, I was immediately overwhelmed. Luckily, a willing staff member was available to lend a hand. Though the entire center consists of a very large, open room, and is hard to miss, very few students on campus are even aware of its existence. The CLT (also known as the AT&T Center) is located on the Garden Level of the Coates Library and possesses the absolute latest and greatest technology and accompanying software. There are many many stations with many many computers provided to all for use and several classrooms where student groups and faculty alike can gather in privacy. The computers there consist of both Macs and PCs, so everyone can work on something he/she is familiar with, and all are equipped with the most up-to-date programs, such as Adobe and Photoshop. There are giant plasma screens for one’s viewing pleasure (of course educational too), and tutorials and reference books to help guide newbies through this amazing facility. Also, scanners and laser printers are abundant, so a print job shouldn’t be too much of a problem and lines to use the machinery are almost unavoidable. Most of the technology is way over my head, especially the synthesizing and editing services, but just knowing that I can always come to work on anything dealing with audio or media projects comforts me. There is always someone available to help anyway. One of the coolest rooms I saw was the Video Studio Theater, a room set up like a movie or television set for filming what I’m sure are to be great masterpieces. Trinity’s famous TriniTV and TigerTV productions are also housed and worked upon there in the CLT. Though I doubt I will be spending much time in the CLT, I was highly impressed by the center and its services.

Copyright Laws

The very first copyright laws came into existence in the late 1700s and have been of great importance to American society ever since. Copyright is actually a HUGE issue that the government must deal with on a regular basis, a concern caused especially by college-aged students. Four percent of all illegal file-sharing occurs on university campuses nationwide, forcing extra surveillance on the youths involved. Luckily, I am fairly ignorant of any new technology that attempts to help people get around copyright laws, which always almost fail anyway. Therefore, I am not worried about breaking any laws- but many of my closest friends engage in such illegal activity all the time. Part of this phenomenon is due in part to a general lack of information. What exactly is copyright? To quote Diane Graves, copyright infringement simply refers to an individual making use of, or “copying” another’s work, whether it be a piece of writing, art or other relating medium, without proper permission. This idea can be quite ambiguous and confusing and so reinforces advice to stay on the safe side of the law. If it is obviously illegal, then of course one should not participate in the sharing of files. If an individual is unsure about the legality of a particular protected work, it is probably best to assume a dangerous consequence and avoid doing whatever it is all together. In my opinion, the work it takes to download files legally is far less a hassle than to be working illegally. Even if one thinks they are cheating the system, he/she should be aware that the government is always checking up on new technology programs that may allow a user to skirt around the law; basically, a person at any point may be caught red-handed when that same system he/she was trying to dupe figures out what is really going on. So don’t be dumb- do the right thing and obey copyright laws. The punishment for copyright infringement is quite severe and may result in an empty wallet or at best, a bad reputation. Everyone should familiarize themselves with such laws, so they know what activities are safe and what activities should be stopped immediately. I really do understand why some think file sharing is the better option. (You can save money and download files with more ease.) But just because an individual may be lazy or cheap doesn’t mean he/she is not subject to following the law. If the activity you are about to embark on/involve yourself in is otherwise unaffordable or too much of a irritation, then just limit yourself and back out while you can. The risks in violating copyright laws far out-weigh the costs. Trust your instincts- if something seems wrong, then it is better to play it safe than sorry.