Page 317 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 08 11/20/02 12:51 PM Page 306
306 The Creative Training Idea Book
The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.
—Carl Jung
Projection Units and Slideshows

Manufacturers are continually updating and inventing new types of image projection
equipment. These units are used to project computer-generated slide presentations that
can be seen by large audiences. Many of the principles discussed for designing trans-
parencies also pertain to creating computer-generated slides.
Although slide shows have some drawbacks, they also offer room for creativity because
you can add such things as sounds, animation to words and images, movie clips, music,
and there are many predesigned backgrounds that you can choose from that save design
time. You can also move to other areas of the room and operate equipment if you have
a remote control and laser pointer.
On the other hand, they limit your ability to project actual small items for discus-
sion or to trace onto a flip chart. They also do not allow you to use various fun props
such as shaped pointers.

Projection Software
Technology continues to provide a variety of stimulating and easily developed visual
aids. With the software currently on the market, you can create eye-catching visuals and
handouts that were available previously only through professional graphic artists and
printers. In a short period of time, most trainers who know their way around the basics
of a computer can learn to use presentation and layout graphic software. Such software
offers maximum flexibility by allowing the creation and modification of materials in a
matter of minutes versus days that previous production processes required. With pro-
grams such as PowerPoint, Harvard Graphics, Freelance Graphics, Quark, PageMaker,
and later versions of Word and WordPerfect, an average trainer can do much of the lay-
out work that used to be done by graphics professionals. With programs like Corel Draw,
Adobe Illustrator, PrintMaster, and other many other graphics and clip art programs,
you can create wonderful handouts and projected visuals by moving (importing) art,
font, and a variety of images around in different programs (see Resources for Trainers
in the appendices for more information on these sources).

Usage Tips

The following are suggestions for using slide shows.

Before participants arrive, check the operation and focus of your computer and projec-
tion units.
If you are using an LCD projection system that sits on top of the overhead projector
glass and uses the projector’s light to display an image on the screen, look in the
owner’s manual to ensure that the overhead projector has a bulb that is bright enough.