Laptops for Presentations

a part of the CA 4-H Computer Corps Workshop Series

Originally created by Becca, 2001
Revised by Ian and On, 2003
Revised by Jess and Kyle, 2006

Goals

• Basic Laptop Knowledge needed to:
  • Mirror the Display
  • Volume Controls
• Presentation Tools used/taught:
  • PowerPoint
  • Windows Media Player
• What to do If it all comes crashing down
  • Quick and Dirty Troubleshooting
  • Backup plan... Always have a backup.

Description

Want to be able to present professional speeches? Well come to our session and you'll learn how to build and prepare your speech with technology. Use a projector to show your speech and add a little music. Prepare to make your speeches like a pro.

Lesson Plan

• Basic Laptop Skills
  • Mirroring the Display
  • Changing the Volume Settings Blindly
  • Switching between Applications quickly
• Mirroring the Display
  • Step one connecting the Laptop:
  • Attaching to the projector:
    • Connect the VGA cable to the back of the laptop (Commonly Colored Blue)
    • The screen will more than likely go black (this is good)
  • Use (fn) keys to switch modes
• Mirrored Display Modes
  • LCD, CRT, LCD/CRT modes:
    • LCD - Laptops screen only
    • CRT - Back VGA only
    • LCD/CRT - Both
  • Switch between them by: Function key + change device (commonly fn + 4-f6)
  • or
  • -TEST BEFORE HAND- as this is different for most laptops
• Volume Essentials
  • Where to plug in for sound output
    • Plug into the laptop as if you were to use headphones (Look for a icon if unsure)
      • A Y' shaped splitter will allow you to listen to the laptop with headphones at the same time.
  • Muting/Volume can be handled with function keys, and should for a clean, quick presentation.
• Real Life Experiences
  • ALWAYS leave sound muted or unplugged when not using it.
    • This will ensure you do not play unwanted sounds while preparing.
  • Always do a live test before you let people in.
    • Be sure to test the display, sound and controls at least 30 minutes before hand just in case.
• Presentation Tools
  • PowerPoint-
    • Good for Displaying Still Images
    • Presenting information without much prep
  • Windows Media Player (built in)
  • The Quick and Dirty-
    • Windows Image viewer (built in)
  • Irfanview for Afterglows
• PowerPoint
  • Shortcuts to remember!
    • B - Blank screen
      • Caution!! -This only changes the current slide to black, not turn off the projector
    • Space - Advances to next slide
    • Backspace - Previous Slide
    • F5 - View slide show
  • For more info check out our Digital Presentations and Microsoft Office workshops at ca4h.org
• Windows Media Player
  • Shortcuts Keys -
    • Ctrl + P - Play/Pause
    • Alt + Enter - Full Screen
    • F8 - Mute Volume
    • F9 - Lower Volume
    • F10 - Raise Volume
  • Always have clips/music loaded in order (play list) before the you plan to use them.
• Windows Media Player Interface

  The quick and dirty...

  • If you are out of time and need to display and image you can use the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer inside windows (Double Click image/Right Click > Open with)
  • F11 will start a slide show (5 sec)
    • Pause the show (upper right controls) to hold on an image
• IrfanView
  • Be sure to have it running in the background before you plan to use it
  • Practice before hand to ensure smoother transitions
• Trouble-shooting
  • Remember, Don't let your audience know what's up, block the screen, remove sound cables and continue on with something,
  • If that fails... poke fun at technology for always ruining a great (fill in the blank)
  • Relax.. You more than likely forgot 1 thing and it will all be working soon.
• Can't see your Image?
  • Always black the screen (block the projector with a body if you must)
  • Ensure Power to each device.
  • Check VGA cable is plugged in.
  • Check Device Mode of laptop.
    • Are you in CRT/LCD mode?
  • Check Input Device of Projector.
    • Look for a button to cycle inputs with, look where you plugged the vga cable into to match Input numbers to displays
  • RELAX..
• Can't hear your tunes?
  • Remove the sound cables
    • This will allow you to hear what is being played from the laptop
      • If you hear your tunes, it's the speakers fault, not the laptop...
  • Check Application Settings
    • Is the application Muted/Low Volume?
  • Check Windows Sound settings
  • (Start > Settings > Control Panel > Sound and Audio Devices)
    • Is a channel muted/low?
      • Is so raise them till you can hear
• Things to remember
  • TEST BEFORE HAND, EACH AND EVERY TIME, especially if your using someone else's stuff.
  • A USB thumb drive is a GREAT way to move files onto 'presentation' laptops quickly
  • ALWAYS turn off power saving features and plug laptops into the wall.
  • Have Each Application you plan on using open and ready to go.
  Little tips worth mention
  • Use Alt-Tab to switch between applications to avoid exiting slideshows etc
    • Useful for starting music without disturbing PowerPoint slides
      • This works best if you switch from the 2^nd app to the 1^st before hand.
  • A Small Cardboard box makes excellent transitions if you block the projector with it
    • Useful to smoothen out application switches, music, and switching inputs
• 3RulestoSmooth Presentations
  • BE Prepared
    • Have your presentation finished hours before it's needed, and packed
  • TEST Beforehand
    • Test no less than 30 minutes before hand to ensure that you have time to make changes, get a backup in place.
  • PRACTICE
• Questions

Materials

Requirements

Projector, screen, laptop
speakers

Resources on the Web

Examples

See any slideshow from the Workshop in a Box series

CC to finish:

Return to the CA 4-H Computer Corps Workshop Series