Powerpoint

Powerpoint presentations can be an important tool in many ways: they can enhance your speech with visuals such as charts and they can help your audience by providing an outline of what you are talking about. However as Professor Belisle pointed out, powerpoints are often poorly done and therefore do not help presentation but hurt them. Out of the useful websites we were provided in class, I have compiled a list of five guidelines I feel are important:

1. Watch out for what color the back ground of your powerpoint is. Neon colors and really bright colors (such as reds and oranges) are distracting and can be hard on readers' eyes. 

2. BE CONSISTENT. Consistency is key when creating a professional powerpoint. Be consistent with fonts, colors, etc. 

3. Steer clear of cheesy clip art. Cheesy clip art makes powerpoints look unprofessional and can dampen the credibility of the presenter. 

4. Don't make your powerpoint too wordy. Powerpoints are not supposed to be your ENTIRE presentation on screen- they're only supposed to be a simple outline. You're not trying to distract your audience from your presentation, you're trying to help them follow along. 

5. Do not make the font on your powerpoint too big. This can be distracting and overbearing to your audience. 

One thing that annoys me about bad powerpoint presentations is when powerpoints are too wordy and people presenting are just reading off of the screen. I think this is a sign of the presenter being unprepared and not knowing their material. And that makes the presenter lose a lot of their credibility. 

Thanks,

Erin Camp

ecamp@trinity.edu 

Excel

To be honest, before I took this class I had only ever used Excel for one thing- to keep track of yearbook purchases in High school. I probably had the least experience of everyone in the class, or at least I figure I did/do. I had no idea Excel could do so much. I knew it had the ability to add or subtract... maybe even multiply, but I did not know it could alphabetize, find averages, create charts, along with many other things. 

I already have contemplated starting to keep track of my spending by using Excel. (Haven't gotten around to it because of pledging, unfortunately) I recommend everyone take some sort of class on Excel, it can really make a lot of things easier. It has (what I like to think) an almost limitless calculation capabilities. 

Thank you Mrs. Belisle for showing me the ins and outs of Excel. I really enjoyed it. I am really glad I have had the opportunity to take this class. 

Thanks,

Erin Camp

ecamp@trinity.edu

Center for Learning and Technology

After I found my way down to the bottom of the library, I was amazed at what I had been missing. The AT&T Center for Learning and Technology definitely has the best technology of any other student computer center on campus. The computers come equipped with video editing equipment and they even have macs! (That was my favorite part because I am a proud Mac user) If I ever have to do something, such as edit a movie for a class, I will definitely be working in CLT. Not only do they have fully equipped Macs, but there are a lot of people that are available to ask questions and help you. (I would probably definitely need help if I ever decided to edit/create some sort of video) 

I also had no idea that CLT could be used as a kind of hide-out when studying. The closed off room looked like an excellent place to isolate yourself from all sorts of distractions. That would be useful in any class- especially around midterms and finals. I would probably also use the computers down there for some major projects, because they're better equipped than my own AND it's much quieter than anywhere else I could think to use a campus computer. After visiting that room, I really believe it is a necessity for everyone on this campus to at least know where it is. I am sure it will come in handy for anyone of any major. 

Erin Camp

ecamp@trinity.edu

Unethical Editing

I chose the Katie Couric picture, because I am apalled at the amount of editing they deemed necessary to make her appearance appropriate for television. This image was originally released in May by CBS and the doctored version (the one on the right) appears in the September issue of Watch Magazine. It was manipulated by making Katie appear thinner than she actually is and darkening her choice of closing, so as to make her more appear "more professional." It was manipulated because the editor thought the picture would make her more appealing to his or her audience. I believe this sort of manipulation is exactly why society puts so much pressure on women to be thin. The editor is sending out a statement that Katie, as well as other women, would be more attractive if they were thinner. I don't believe in this message and don't agree with the idea that one has to be incredibly thin to be attractive. What is wrong with what Katie Couric's appearance before the editing? Nothing. That is why it's harmful.

Erin Camp

ecamp@trinity.edu