presentation software

presentation software

The Power of Presentation Software

1. Introduction

For the sake of understanding presentation technology, it is defined as a method consisting of a computer, software, and a display device (e.g. data projector) that is used to present information to an audience. This technology includes software such as Microsoft PowerPoint, WordPerfect Presentations, and Sun StarOffice. Although the output of these applications is the same, presentation technology is not limited to creating visual information. Other methods of presentation using this technology include showing web pages, or displaying information with the use of software such as a Java applet. It is the multitude of methods for presenting information and the ease at which they can be integrated that make this technology an invaluable tool in communication.

Presentation technology is an emerging tool that can greatly increase the effectiveness of a presentation. In recent years, this technology has provided people with tools that were not previously available. Many who have heard of presentation technology probably have limited experience with it. This is because the full spectrum of benefits provided by presentation technology is not widely known. This essay examines the issues surrounding the use of presentation technology. It will determine whether or not presentation technology can offer a higher quality of effective communication, and whether it can increase the confidence and comfort of those speaking in a public forum.

Like it or not, from the moment you step into the business world, you are put on stage. Perhaps this is an overstatement, but situations occur daily in the business world that require us to engage in a public forum. For example, one may be called on to explain a project or proposal to a group of colleagues. As another scenario, students in an Ivey class are often asked to work in teams and present their findings to the rest of the class. Both of these are simple scenarios, but we have all seen that some struggle while others shine. This essay is about one of the factors that can help to put you into the second group of people, namely your public speaking and presentation abilities.

2. Benefits of Presentation Software

Visual impact: For a professional approach, whether at university or at a place of employment, presentations must look orderly and appealing to the eye. With computer media package, there is such a gigantic choice of effects that can be used to liven up a presentation. Clip art, imported pictures, colour, decorative text and bullet points, plus a range of drawing tools are available to produce eye-catching slides. Using animations and slide transitions ensures that the audience’s attention is kept, as there will be movement on the screen. This movement gives the presenter a perfect opportunity to elucidate a point in more detail. Finally, sound can also be added to make the presentation more realistic. This is a large change from previous traditional methods. Presenters using the blackboard could only use various different coloured chalks! This is all too important as impressions count and one will feel more confident in their work if they know the presentation looks good.

3. Key Features to Look for

3. Functionality can dictate how effective the software is in producing the content and the quality. The more functions, the better, but the software must use itself to its full potential. A PowerPoint presentation with ideal content would be one that utilizes the powerful dynamic content of data-driven presentations. The SGS Generator has a wide range of functions, but the method they are implemented is constantly being refined. The best software should provide equally effective functionality at all times while managing a presentation.

2. Ease of use can vary from the author’s learning curve to effectively generating the content. If the software allows rapid development of content and doesn’t involve a steep learning curve, then chances are it is a good piece of software. An underlying goal of SlideGen is to help its users get the job done quickly without trouble. Development of the Generator has so far been successful in meeting this goal, as well as receiving positive feedback from users. The creation process aims to be simple and effective, in which the user can learn most of the functionality through general use of the software. For more intricate features, SlideGen has a range of user guides and video tutorials available. This means that the author does not have to spend an extensive amount of time to get the job done. A comprehensive help guide could also be an indicator of a good piece of software.

1. Customization is the most crucial factor when buying any software package. The software must take your branding and make it easy to apply it to your product. The last thing any presenter wants is to impress his audience with a fantastic presentation only to have them disappointed because they were misled by incorrect branding. Because the software has taken the presenter’s branding and ‘molded’ a theme, it is fair to say that SlideGen is, for the most part, rebranding software. Most templates in the SGS Library are very basic templates, which are color schemes and font sizes. As SlideGen is a growing software, they are continually producing advanced templates which are closer to actual presentation content.

4. Tips for Creating Effective Presentations

Remember fonts and colours are a means of visual communication, not just decoration – At 12-14 point size, every line of text in a sans serif presentation font can be considered a caption to an image. Use this concept to decide what the text should be on each slide. Only include what is necessary. Also, make sure the text colour has a high contrast from the background, and if possible, point out key information in the text with colour. This will make the information more clear.

Keep it simple – The best visuals are simple, with a clear, concise message. The more complex the visual, the more likely it will detract from your message. If an image is more complex than the point you are making, your audience will be trying to figure out what is going on in the visual rather than listening to your explanation of it! Use graphics rather than text – Research by Mayer and Anderson in 1992, and Mayer and Gallini in 1990 show that people learn better from multimedia messages when words and graphics are integrated (as long as the words and graphics aren’t too complex) than with words alone. This means people learn more with a presentation with integrated graphics and words, but if the graphics are too complex there is a cognitive overload.

Avoid using PowerPoint clip art – it doesn’t support the meaning of the presentation. Clip art can seem amateurish and can send the wrong message about your abilities. Other than that, you shouldn’t use visuals just for the heck of it. An image can be a powerful piece of your presentation with impact. So, the outcome of your presentation is to provide the audience with visual representations of the information, to illustrate the points, and to make the information more interesting and more understandable. If you use an image that makes the right point and that is making it better than the text would, then that is a good use of an image.

5. Conclusion

A negative comment to include about PowerPoint is that it can be time-consuming. This is simply because the user strives for the best result that PowerPoint can produce. Whether it be changing the color of the font, the effects, or simply debating which slide layout to use, all this must be considered to be time-consuming, but in the end, the time is worth it. Another negative comment to include would be that certain users may never use PowerPoint. This is simply because PowerPoint isn’t used in all lines of work (for example, manual labor). Also, if a person’s computer literacy isn’t high, they may struggle to understand the concept of PowerPoint.

The conclusion of the assessed piece of work is that PowerPoint is outstandingly helpful in today’s society. The twelve slides included add to the use of PowerPoint, which goes to show the full potential. Slides can result in being more interesting than just plain writing, and they are more beneficial to the presenter as well as the audience. Creating the end result with a diagram was rather easy, and resulting in something that is good quality and beneficial is what PowerPoint is all about. PowerPoint can turn something plain into something great, and that is what we all must aim for.