Presentations

I have recieved lots of presentations, and from what I can tell most every high school student is guilty of many poor uses, techniques, and elments in power point. Everyone needs to focus on what the purpose is, and how to achieve this purpose.

Today it is time to get some initial points to consider. So do a search for

Get an idea of what sort of guidlines are out there already.

Table of Contents, Bullets, and Numbering

Bullets and numbering:

For a list of items more than 2 or 3 items long it is often best to put them in a vertical list. One tool to do this is using bullets and numbering. Bullets are for unordered lists, numbering are for ordered items.
To begin bullets or numbering you highlight the desired text and hit the bullets icon in the editing bar. Every new line will get a bullet. To add bullets just go to end of the last bulleted item and hit return. To remove a bullet go to the start of the text before the bullet and backspace.
Numbering is essentially the same with the added need to have correct numbering. If the numbering is incorrect (begins with the wrong number) you can adjust the starting number, or the current number. Right click on the number you desire to change and a Context Sensitive Menu will come up. For 2003 or earlier select "bullets and numbering" for 2010 select "set number value" and set the starting number value.

Table of Contents:

Most word processors have the ability to make an automatic table of contents.
2003: insert --> reference --> index and tables
2010: reference --> table of contents

When they make a table of contents you need to make all your "titles" heading one.
2003: beside the font type
2010: in the home tab

Context Sensitive Menus:
Menus that relate to the item you are using. They contain functions that you can perform in that program, or on that particular element. Context sensitive menus are present in most programs. Try right clicking around on different elements and see what menus pop up. You will find things you didn't know you could do!

Beginning Formatting Word Documents

Every word processor has the same basic tools. These tools may have slightly different names, or be located in slightly different locations, but they are essentially the same. Here are a few:

Margins:

Margins are required around the edges of a document (top, bottom and sides) both for printing, and to include white space. White space increases the readability of a document, and makes it more attractive.

Columns:

Columns are a useful tool in organizing information. The columns tool in most word processors are best used when the entire document is organized in columns. When you want only a portion of the information in columns it is best to use tables to make multiple columns. Make a table with no borders and the "lines" won't print.

Page Breaks:

Often the breaks in a document do not align with the actual pages of the document. It is better to add breaks and leave a little extra space then to have oddly spaced breaks forced by the page size. When adding a page break do not just hit "return" until you get to the next page (this is a formatting nightmare) choose "insert" --> "break" from the menu.

This is a rough beginning format, you are going to have to do a lot more, but this should get it readable.

Types of Word Processors

The word processor we have in the school is Microsoft Office, but many people can't afford to buy the Office Suit program for their home computers. Once the free trial runs out they have to find other alternatives.

Online tools:
These are accessible through most web browsers on any system from anywhere. This can be a great benefit.

• Google Documents - requires a Google account
  
• Microsoft Office Live - requires a windows live account

Free Open Software:
Sometimes internet connections can be unreliable, so having only online tools is not a good idea. These programs are free to download, and use.

• Open Office - Works and looks like Office 2003
• Lotus Symphony - From IBM

Posting Pictures

Make Sure you use Creative Commons Images!!!!

The best way to post is to post using the URL because you don't have to download the image. To copy the URL of an image right click on it, and select "copy image source"
or something like that.

Then in you blogger post select "add image" from the top edit bar. Input the copied URL (ctrl+V) into the URL box. Set up the properties of the image, and click "upload".

Getting Starting Blogging

Everyone should have have a blog with one post about what we know about blogging.

• Where do we go to blog?
• How often should you blog?
• What is the purpose of the blog for this unit?
• Are you having problems?
• What are you unsure about?

Make sure you send me and e-mail at jbaker@prsprit.ca with the address of your blog so I can look at it. This will be a project for this unit.