An Introduction to Computer Graphics Using PowerPoint Deborah Kember Moreton Bay College Contents Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Course Outline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Activity 1: Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Activity 2: Clip Art: Editing & Animating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Activity 3: Working with Text and Bullets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Activity 4: Using Online Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Activity 5: Graph Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Activity 6: Constructing Diagrams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Activity 7: Importing & Exporting Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Activity 8: Working with Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Activity 9: Making a Slide Show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Assessment Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Introduction Computer graphics production is an exciting world of shapes, colour and moving images which are drawn, imported or scanned into a software package. Graphic images appeal to many peoples' learning and understanding capabilities. Not everyone understands a message that they read in text alone. Thus, messages can be communicated more clearly and concisely using graphics, and are often much more interesting. The advantage of using a computer to design and construct graphic images is that you do not need to be good at art. The tools in the various software packages make it easy for you to draw pictures. You can also edit your drawing at any stage without having to start again and you can experiment with colours without the mess! Computers enable you to create, store, manipulate and display objects you have created, scanned or imported into your file of work. The following unit involves the use of a Presentation Package called PowerPoint. It is best used in a seminar or tutorial setting with slides illustrating points being made by the speaker. It has other useful features for the user such as graphics construction, handouts and speaking notes. The unit has been developed for Junior Computer Studies students to further develop their skills in using applications along with development of their drawing and communication skills. A series of activities have been designed to lead students through a range of capabilities of the software programme. The students will progressively learn how to compile a slide show presentation using all the options available to them, whilst developing skills in drawing, design and presentation. The assessment of the unit is designed to illustrate how their computing skills can be used in other curriculum areas. The unit has been taken by several groups of students and their interest and enthusiasm in the work has been high. Much effort was put into the production of the slide shows and the quality of work produced was very good. We anticipate that the students will go on from this unit to make multimedia presentations which use the skills developed in this course along with programming. I hope you have as much fun with this unit as we did! Course Outline Overview of Topic TOPIC APPROX.TIME *A presentation package-PowerPoint 3 weeks *Minor Project 3 weeks *Conclusion 1 week Learning Experiences In this unit students will work individually during the exploration stage, becoming familiar with a paint programme and a presentation package. The opportunity does exist for students to use a range of programmes other than those for which activities are included in this manual. Students will also have the opportunity to be awarded Competency Based Checklists certificates for use in accreditation for Vocational Educational, Training and Employment (VETEC) subjects. The students will be required to work in a groups of 3 students in order to complete the minor project. It will involve compiling a slide show on a nominated topic along with documentation of their planning and an evaluation of the software package used. Resources Software Presentation Programmes: PowerPoint 4.0 Hardware The course is best undertaken using computers with colour screens linked to a laser printer. Library Books Baker,G. Bowen, T. First Byte. An Introduction to Information Processing. Oxford University Press. Melbourne. 1994. Breckon,C.J. Jones,L.J. Morehouse,C.E. Visual Messages. Pitman, Melbourne, 1986. Heinemann,M. Shannon,P. Chatman G. Computerwise-Tasks for PCM. The Jacaranda Press. QLD. 1993. Iritz, M. Teach yourself Coreldraw 5.0. MIS Press. USA. 1992. Objectives Alpha At the completion of the Graphics course the students should be able to: * operate the graphics packages * produce drawings * access clip art libraries * animate drawings or clip art * use text variations and bullets * scan a photo or line art into graphics packages * produce graphs and diagrams * use templates and colour schemes * export and import graphics between packages * make a slide show Beta At the completion of the Graphics course students should be able to: * make decisions regarding the suitability of graphics to convey and enhance meaning. * solve simple design problems using appropriate graphics software. * research a topic for a slide show. * make decisions regarding the layout and presentation of information. * adapt and edit graphics for new purposes or as part of the learning process. * use graphics to improve their communication of computer based information. * solve problems using the online help. * plan a group project documenting their aim, objectives and evaluating the product. * communicate their knowledge clearly. A Presentation Package PowerPoint Time Allocation: 3 weeks with 4 * 40 minute lessons per week Resources: Activity sheets and worksheets as listed below. All graphics shown on the activity sheets are on disk for previewing by staff and students. PowerPoint clip art posters Competency level certificates Activity Number Title Time Activity 1: Using tools and icons 1 lessons Activity 2: Clip art-Editing and animating 2 lessons Activity 3: Working with text and bullets 1 lesson Activity 4: Using online help 1 lesson Activity 5: Constructing graphs 1 lesson Activity 6: Constructing maps & diagrams 1 lesson Activity 7: Importing drawings from Paintbrush Extension-Exporting Paintbrush drawings to Word Perfect 1 lesson Activity 8: Working with templates 1 lesson Activity 9: Making a slide show 1 lesson Notes * This unit is best used as a self pacing unit with students given a schedule to work to. Your role is one where you can encourage the better students to explore further options available in the package and to assist those experiencing difficulties. If time is short students should be directed to complete activity 8 and 9 so that they can proceed with the assessment item. PowerPoint Activity 1 "Checks" What do all the icons do? Construct 'Checks' then complete the accompanying worksheet. 1. Background: To colour your background, open the Format menu, left click on Slide Background. The default colour (the one that the programme automatically makes when you open a file) is white. Click on Change colour, then select a colour, OK. Experiment with the shade background option, particularly the shade styles. Alter the darkness of the background colour by clicking and dragging the scroll bar. You have the option of having this background colour for all the slides in this file or changing it on every slide. As we are making only one slide click on Apply. Click OK. 2. Text: Use the mouse to point to (select) the letter A on the left hand tool palette. Left click in the title box then type the title of today's masterpiece. "Checks" by (your names). Select the title box you have just typed in by moving the mouse to the arrow in the tool palette then moving the mouse to the title box and left clicking once. Look for the letter A in the tool bar at the top of the working area. Click and watch your title increase in size. Make your title as big as it will fit in the title box. Locate B in the tool bar and left click it, followed by the I then the U then S then the .___ . Select one of these options. To remove a quality left click on the icon again. 3. Borders: Add a border to the title box by using the icon in the tool palette that looks like a partly drawn box. 4. Filling: Look for an icon in the tool palette which suggests that it might colour the box. 5. Shadows: Add a shadow to this box. The icon is also in the tool palette. It looks like a box with a shadow around it. 6. Cutting: Delete the body box by first `selecting' it, then opening the Edit menu and pointing to Cut. 7. Shapes: Draw a rectangle approximately 2.5 cm * 2.5 cm by selecting the shape from the tool palette. Place it on the left hand side of your work area. If you select the wrong shape, right click once. 8. Copying: Copy the rectangle by opening the Edit menu then selecting Paste to place it on the screen. Move it into position next to the previous rectangle by placing the cursor on a side and dragging it while you depress the left clicker on the mouse. 9. Aligning: Select all the boxes using the shift key and your mouse. Line up all the boxes by opening the Draw menu, selecting Align then Tops. 10. Grouping: Group all the boxes by opening the Draw menu then Group. 11. Copying: Copy the group using the Copy and Paste option in the Edit menu. Move them into position by dragging an edge. Repeat a second time. 12. Line up all the rows by selecting grouped rows then aligning them left. 13. Ungrouping: Ungroup all the boxes, then select every second one like a chess board. 14. Filling: Colour them black by opening the Format menu, Colours and Lines then Fill, and select BK then Shaded. Adjust the lightness by making adjustments to the information box. 15. Line style: Use the same menu as for Filling to change the line style. 16. Shapes: Place an object in each of the white boxes by clicking on the pull out object icon in the tool palette. Leave one box for you to draw an object freehand using the freeform tool. Double click to finish the drawing. "Cut" it if you would like to try again. 17. Saving: Save your file onto your disc. Open the file menu, save, then type in A:\checks.ppt PowerPoint Activity 2 Clip Art: Editing & Animating Your task: Create a scene using a few figures from the clip art library. Rather than using many pictures, select only a few and modify these using the tools available to you. Open a blank presentation. Browsing through the Clip art files: Select the Insert Clip art button in the tool bar. Select a category and use the scroll bar to view all the pictures. Modifying your figures 1. Changing the colours Select the figure by clicking on anywhere on the figure. Open the Tools menu and selecting Recolour. Alter any colours you wish. 2. Moving the figure Select the figure then hold a left click and drag the figure to where you want it. 3. Changing the size of the figure Select the figure then point to any inside corner of the rectangle surrounding the figure. Hold a left click and make the rectangle smaller or larger. 4. To copy your figure Select the figure then open the Edit menu, Copy. Open the Edit menu again and select Paste. A copy will be placed on top of the original. Drag it to a suitable position on the screen. To animate your scene Scenes are animated by making a series of slides in which you move a clip art figure slightly each slide. Decide which figure you want to move across your screen then make approximately six slides, changing the position of the figure in each successive slide. a) Make 6 blank new slides by using the New slide button. b) Copy the slide you have just made by opening the Edit menu, Select all, Edit, Copy. A copy of you slide is now on the Windows clipboard. Make a new slide by clicking the icon in the bottom left corner. Open the Edit menu and select Paste slide 1. Now you can move or resize a particular object that you wish to animate. Repeat for all of your slides. c) Set the transition mode Go back to slide one by dragging the slide changer on the left side of the screen. Select Slide Sorter from the View menu. Select all the slides using the shift key and the mouse. Click on the button next to the transition type and st the transition time to 1 second. Select Slide Show from the View menu. Select Use Slide timings. d) To view your animation click on the projector screen in the toolbar. PowerPoint Activity 3 Working with Text and Bullets Task: Create your version of this slide. 1. Open a new file and select a blank presentation, Bulleted list. Make a list of 4-5 subjects that you study, the teacher, and the room number in the body of the slide. 2. Bullets: These are used to add emphasis to your text and make it easier to read. They can be turned on or off using the buttons in the toolbar. 3. Highlighting Text: Double left click. Once the text is highlighted you can alter the size and font of the text, as well as move it. 4. Moving text: Indent the teachers names by using the demote button. This icon is an arrow on the right side of the tool bar. Double left click to highlight the text then click on the icon. Indent the room numbers by double clicking on the bullet then clicking the demote button twice. 5. Text size: Reduce the size of your text if it does not fit in the box, by first selecting the box, then clicking decrease font size icon in the toolbar. 6. Text style: Change the appearance of the text using the font drop down menu in the tool bar as well as the options in the format menu. eg. colour. Remember to highlight the text before trying to edit your work. 8. Bullet style: Change the bullets by selecting Bullet in the Format menu. 9. Spell check: Check your spelling using the Spelling option in the Tools menu. 10. Create your own page design using some of the skills you have learnt so far in the course. For example you could:-colour the background, add borders and shadows to the text boxes, add a clip art image and re-colour it. 11. Save your file and print a copy. PowerPoint Activity 4 Using Online Help Your task: Make shapes and add text to them. Use the online Help to assist you. Browse through the Contents of Help and make a list of topics which would have helped you to create previous activities. Search for some information on how to construct graphs. PowerPoint Activity 5 Graph Construction Your task: Construct a graph using the following statistics: 8 9 10 11 12 Alison-Greene 37 32 33 33 32 Drewe 36 32 33 33 31 Wesley 39 28 39 33 33 Whitfield 35 35 37 31 29 Table 1: MBC Students Graphing procedure 1. Open a new file: Use the blank presentation, graph AutoLayout. 2. Graph Tool: Double click on the graph tool. 3. Editing the default data: This data is automatically displayed by the package. Move the cursor to the datasheet and click once. Notice how it changes to a cross. Change the data in the data box by clicking on 1st qtr then typing in Year 8. Repeat this procedure with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th qtr typing in Year 9 then year 10 etc. The year 12 entry can be typed into the box next to the 4th qtr. Double click on East and type Alison-Greene. Type the other house names in the boxes underneath. 4. Use the tool bar to select a chart type. Add gridlines and a legend. 5. Adding titles: Click on the axis you wish to have labelled. Open the Insert menu. Move cursor and type in a suitable title; Figure 1: MBC students. Label the Y axis by using the same procedure except it is called Value z (axis) in PowerPoint. The x axis is called Category x axis. * * * * * * Make another graph using the following statistics. Try a range of types to best display this information. Try to change the colour scheme of your graph. Year 8 9 10 11 12 Students 150 130 140 125 125 Table 2: Students PowerPoint Activity 6 Constructing Diagrams Construct the diagram in Figure 1: 1. Use the Insert Organisational Chart button to create this diagram. 2. Boxes can be added using the buttons available. 3. Explore the menu bars , tool bars and tool pallets to create your own version. PowerPoint Activity 7 Importing and Exporting Graphics Importing a figure from Paintbrush 1. Open Powerpoint and minimise the programme by selecting the arrow in the right corner of the screen. 2. Open Paintbrush and retrieve the figure you drew earlier in the course. 3. Make the figure a 'cut-out' by selecting the 'Pick' tool and drawing a rectangle around the figure. 4. Open the Edit menu and Copy the figure to the Windows clipboard. 5. Minimise Paintbrush and maximise PowerPoint. Open the Edit menu and select Paste. Your figure should now appear. 6. Try this procedure once again before progressing any further. 7. Edit the image by resizing and moving it around the work space. Experiment with other editing possibilities. Make a list of what you can and cannot do to this image. 8. Save your figure as "Slide1.ppt" PowerPoint Activity 8 Working with Templates A template is a slide design that is stored in the programme. They include a background colour scheme as well as bullets for your text. Using templates not only saves time but it can provide a better looking slide for your presentation. Your task: Make the slide shown above by using a template. Browsing through the template file: Open a new presentation and select a template. Select b&wovrhd to make a black and white copy of your work. Later when you make your slide show you should select sldshow for templates specially designed for screen presentations. Select the first file and view it in the small window on the right of the screen. Select the next file and it will appear in the box. Retrieving a template: When you have found a template that you would like to use, click OK and it will be retrieved into your file. Entering Text: Double click on the title box and type in the heading for this slide. Click outside the box when you have finished to deselect it. Double click in the body box and type in the first line of text. Press enter when you have finished and another bullet will appear. Click on the Demote icon in the top left corner and a smaller and indented bullet will appear. Type in the text, press enter then click on the Promote icon. Repeat this process until all the text is entered. Special Effects: The information can be displayed one bullet at a time by using the Build option in the Tools menu. Select Dim Previous Points, and select a colour. Select an Effect. Click on the Slide Show icon in the tool bar and each time you click more text will appear. Press Esc to return to your slide. To make the text appear automatically. Open the Tools menu and select Transition. In the advance window type in 2 in the box which reads Advance automatically after....seconds. Click on the Slide Show icon and view your slide. PowerPoint Activity 9 Making a Slide Show A slide show is a series of slides linked together for the purpose of communicating an idea or information. Your task is to compile a slide show of all your PowerPoint work. Make a series of 5-6 slides using a range of techniques. Move to Slide Sorter View by clicking the icon in the bottom tool bar with several slides displayed. Ordering your Slides Reorganise the order of your slides by selecting them then dragging them to where you want them. Setting the Transition: (how the slides are changed) You can vary the way in which the slides are changed by selecting the slides 1, 2 or more at a time then opening the box in the top left corner which currently says No Transition. You will need to keep the changes between your animated slides as No Transition but there are many other ways to change the others. Click on the icon to the left of the fold down menu that says no transition and you will be able to set both the Effect and the Advance. If you decide to have a manual advance you will need to click the mouse to change the slides. Viewing your Slide Show: Click on the Slide Show icon in the tool bar and see your masterpiece! Junior Computer Studies Graphics Group Project and Oral Presentation 1. Group Project. Plan, design and construct a slide show that can be used for group presentations or for individual use. The slide show should demonstrate the skills that you have learnt this semester and aim to be informative. It must include a drawing that you have constructed from the PowerPoint Toolbox or Paintbrush and include one of the following. * a scanned image * an animated sequence * a graph or a diagram All graphics must be relevant to the aim of your work or have a purpose. Decorative clip art graphics will not be assessed. 2. Oral Presentation To present your group project to the class, explaining the aim of your project, the objectives of the slide show, the tasks performed by each person in the group, and an evaluation of the your experience working in a group using this particular software package. Steps: a) Select 2 other people with whom you will work. b) Select a topic from the subjects you are currently studying and discuss ideas on slides and diagrams you could make. Examples..... HISTORY: The Great Depression World WAR II GEOGRAPHY: An urban issue you are investigating for your primary research project. SCIENCE: Electricity HOME ECONOMICS: Food and nutrition FRENCH: Fashion c) Complete the planning sheet....... Record the aim of your project Write 2 objectives for your slide show. d) Plan a sequence of slides on paper. e) Complete the planning sheet...... Make a time line showing what you plan to achieve each week and who is going to do what tasks. f) When allocating jobs decide who will talk about the following aspects of your project so that they can make notes as you work. Oral Presentation of your project..... Person 1: Outline the planning and design process. Person 2: Explain the purpose of your project and demonstrate how the slide show would be used. Person 3: Evaluate the slide show and outline what you would like to add to the show. g) Research the topic of your slide show. h) Design some slides on paper. i) Start making your slide show. Graphics Group Project Marking Criteria PART A: SLIDE SHOW Alpha objectives The ability of your group to make a slide show using * an original drawing * clip art * text and bullets * templates or colour schemes * an image imported from Paintbrush along with one of the following * a scanned image * an animated sequence * graph or diagram Beta objectives The ability of your group to * plan the project with a clear aim, objectives and a time line. * research the topic of the slide show * design slides and select graphics which communicate information clearly. * complete the project on time and to achieve the established aim. PART B: ORAL PRESENTATION Beta objectives Your ability to communicate with your audience using * a clear speaking voice * grammatically correct language * appropriate non-verbal communication and showing * evidence of your preparation * knowledge of the subject matter Junior Computer Studies Graphics Group Project and Oral Presentation Planning sheet Role in Oral Group members: ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ Work location: ________________________________ Type of machine: ________________________________ Project title: ________________________________ Aim: ________________________________ Slide show objectives: 1._______________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2._______________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Time line: Please turn over Progress: Make a list on another piece of paper as you work: Difficulties: Solutions: Advantages and disadvantages of making this slide show: Time line Project due date:______________________ WEEK/LESSON TASKS NAME 11 2 3 4 2 1 2 3 4 3 1 2 3 4 Junior Computer Studies Oral Presentation Standards Matrix for Communication Skills Criteria A B C D E VOICE Excellent verbal communication. Well modulated voice. Very good sentence structure. Good verbal communication. Fluent, clear speech. Some good voice modulation. Good sentence structure. Satisfactory verbal communication. Reasonably fluent speech. Satisfactory sentence structure. Unclear verbal communication. Poor sentence structure. Presentation not completed. NON-VERBAL Very good eye contact. No mannerisms. Kept audience interested. Good eye contact. A few mannerisms. Good audience interest. Reasonable eye contact. Mannerism annoying. Some audience interest. Little eye contact. Little audience interest. Presentation not completed PLANNING & KNOWLEDGE Very good introduction and conclusion. Very good knowledge of subject matter. Good introduction and conclusion. Good knowledge of subject matter. Introduction and conclusion included but not well done. Subject matter not well known. No introduction or conclusion. Subject matter not well known. Presentation not completed. Junior Computer Studies Standards Matrix for the Slide Show Presentation A B C D E ALPHA OBJECTIVES A variety of excellent graphics created using a wide range of tools with attention to detail. Good graphics created using most tools and some attention to detail. Satisfactory graphics using some tools. Detail and accuracy attempted. Poor graphics using a limited range of tools. Little detail illustrated. Slide show not completed. BETA OBJECTIVES Very good choice of graphics and presentation of them. Much evidence of modification of images. Excellent work plan. Critical evaluation of product. Good choice of graphics and presentation of them. Some evidence of modification of images. Well organised work plan. Objective evaluation of product. Sound choice of graphics and presentation of them. Little evidence of modification of images. Work plan completed. Basic evaluation. Poor choice of graphics and presentation of them. No evidence of modification of images. Work plan scant. Evaluation incomplete. Project not completed. Junior Computer Studies Graphics PowerPoint Competency Level Checklist For........................................................ Open PowerPoint and specific files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Entering text & editing by changing the font size & type. . . . . . . . . . . . . Selecting, moving & filling objects from the tool palette . . . . . . . . . . . . Adding & deleting borders & shadows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grouping, ungrouping & aligning objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cutting, copying and pasting objects in the workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Altering the line style of objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the information boxes to gradate colour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accessing, editing & animating clip art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using & changing bullets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Promoting & demoting text & bullets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Constructing a range of graphs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using timesavers to construct charts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Importing drawings from Paintbrush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Export graphics to Paintbrush and Word Perfect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using templates to design slides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Make a slide show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saving file to a disk & printing graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Closing files and exiting the programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teacher's signature and date