Using Overhead Projectors
Media Services, Robert A. L. Mortvedt Library
Pacific Lutheran University
The URL for this file is:
http://www.plu.edu/~libr/media/using_overhead.html
- Face to face contact with audience
- Eye contact possible
- Can pick up verbal and nonverbal cues to
understanding
- Projector located in front of room and near speaker for easy
access
- Can be used to focus audience's attention
- On to focus attention on visual material
- Off to focus attention on speaker
- Effective in a fully-lighted room; audience can follow handouts
or take notes
- Ability to modify transparencies during presentations
- Highlighting important points with transparency pen
- Writing on blank acetate film like a chalk board
- Sequence of material can be modified during presentation
- Accommodates audience questions or interest
- Can abbreviate or extend sections of presentation
- Unframed transparencies easy to store and transport; easily fit
in file
folder
- Overlays can be used to simplify complex information into layers
- Short lead time (minutes) for preparation of transparencies
- Low cost of transparency material
- $.30 per sheet for one color
- Continuous tone color transparencies are costly
- $1.50 per sheet for continuous tone color output from
DeskWriter printer
- Overhead projector is bulky and heavy to
transport
- Framed transparencies are bulky and difficult to
store
- Pages from books cannot be used effectively without
modification
since text will usually be too small for audience to read.
- Overhead projection is perceived as being "less
professional" than slides in a formal setting.
- Use ON - OFF switch to focus attention
- ON to focus attention on visual
- OFF to focus attention on speaker
Turn the projector off when you're not using it for extended
periods
of time to reduce distraction for audience.
- "Chalkboarding"
- Use projector stage like a chalkboard
- Acetate sheet or roll
- Water soluble transparency pen
- Notes for presentation can be:
- Projected with presentation
- Added in conjunction with presentation
- Revealed one point at a time (see
progressive disclosure)
- Points in group discussions can be:
- Listed to verify communication
- Used to focus further discussion
- Charts, grids, illustrations can be:
- Prepared in skeleton form prior to presentation
- Modified, filled in labeled, etc. during
presentation
- Pointing for emphasis
- Concentrate attention on message being covered
- Use opaque shapes like pens, coins, arrows, etc.
- Highlighting
- Use pen of different color from original. (Be sure to
use water-soluble pen if you need to re-use the original
transparency.)
- Use underline, circle, arrow, check, bullet, star, etc. as
emphasis
codes for your audience
- Progressive disclosure with opaque
cover
- Reveal topics one point at a time
- Direct attention to point being covered
- Prevent distraction
- Overlays
- Simplify complex concepts
- One part of complex whole can be presented at a time
- Parts can be joined for discussion of whole
Below are a few essential items that may make the difference
between a
successful and unsuccessful presentation using overhead projection.
Some of these are especially important if you will be presenting in a
room
without access to audio-visual support services.
- Extension Cord - Rooms sometimes have
the
power outlets located in the most inconvenient locations. An
extension
cord may resolve such difficulties.
- Ungrounded Plug Adapter - Some buildings
still do
not have three-prong grounded outlets. A two-prong adapter will
allow
you to use these older power outlets without damaging the overhead
projector plug.
- Spare Bulb - Most of the PLU overhead
projectors
have spare lamp changers inside the projector. But a spare bulb is
always good insurance. Make sure you know how to change the
bulb in
case it burns out during your presentation. Do not touch the glass
surface of bulbs with your fingers, but handle bulbs by their metal
or
porcelain bases or with a handkerchief.
- Transparency Pen - You may want to write
on a
transparency to illustrate, clarify, or highlight a point. If you
plan to use a transparency over again, be sure to use a water-soluble
transparency pen. You may want to cover transparencies with clear
sleeves to
avoid damaging your original.
- Acetate Film - Extra blank acetate film
provides
additional "chalkboard space" for responding to audience questions
and
comments.
Media Services Telephone: (253) 535-7509
FAX:: (253) 535-7315
Media Services E-Mail: media@plu.edu Home
Page:
http://www.plu.edu/~media
Maintained by: Layne Nordgren (nordgrle@plu.edu). Send comments.
Last Update: 09/23/96
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