Last class, I had the great fortune to see a plethora of succesful powerpoint presentations occur before my eyes. Out of the many outstanding presenters and slideshows however, two projects really seemed to get their message across. I personally really enjoyed Jessica's and Roxi's powerpoint presentations.
Jessica's powerpoint presentation was on the Hippoi and classical Greek mythology. Not only did she employ a unique and succesful background but also she really seemed to communicate her message well to the audience. Even though I am not a classics major, I felt that I was able to appreciate and respect her work in the study of the Hippoi and trading routes. What I found especially cool was that it was her own theory!
Roxana's presentation on the the formation of vesicles via the coat protein clathrin was a very applicably presentation that I could relate too. As we are both Bio minded people, I not only knew the importance of her topic but also I was able to notice just how masterfully she explained the material. I believe that even non Bio oriented people would have been able to appreciate the importance of vesicle formation after her presentation. I also really liked her animated gif of the clathrin molecule.
The awesome thing about the day was that I could have spoken on any of the presentations seeing as they were all very well done.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
POWERPOINT!
This is the big week for our class. We will finally be giving our big PowerPoint presentations involving our interests to the class. It is important however, to first make sure that people understand exactly what making a PowerPoint presentation should include.
I personally thought that out of the three articles we had to read, the most useful was certainly the first one entailing 10 pieces of advice for a good PowerPoint presentation. It had many useful pieces of advice such as use of pictures and transitions.
One of the most useful pieces of advice that was shared amongst all three articles was the use of professional pictures instead of cheesy PowerPoint made images. All three articles emphasized the fact that professional images can really elicit a strong emotional response from the audience and if it does, it can really serve as a catalyst for a good presentation. This is a piece of advice that should be taken seriously by the entire class. We have all sat through boring PowerPoint presentations and thus we should naturally all want to make our own presentation more entertaining with high quality photographs.
Some basic advice and guidelines that I believe the whole class should take into consideration while designing their presentations are:
1) Keep it simple: The less words per page the better
2) Use interesting photographs or use none at all
3) Use few transitions and if you do use them, use ones that are professional
4) Choose a clear, large font that is easily read by all people in the room
5) Take time to organize the slides into a logical manner
Finally, I think it is important to inform the class of what I personally find annoying in bad PowerPoint presentations. I personally think that the three worst aspects of bad PowerPoint slides would be too much text on a page and cheesy transitions/sounds.
These general aspects of a good PowerPoint presentation will greatly enhance the quality of any PowerPoint presentation that we make during our college career.
I personally thought that out of the three articles we had to read, the most useful was certainly the first one entailing 10 pieces of advice for a good PowerPoint presentation. It had many useful pieces of advice such as use of pictures and transitions.
One of the most useful pieces of advice that was shared amongst all three articles was the use of professional pictures instead of cheesy PowerPoint made images. All three articles emphasized the fact that professional images can really elicit a strong emotional response from the audience and if it does, it can really serve as a catalyst for a good presentation. This is a piece of advice that should be taken seriously by the entire class. We have all sat through boring PowerPoint presentations and thus we should naturally all want to make our own presentation more entertaining with high quality photographs.
Some basic advice and guidelines that I believe the whole class should take into consideration while designing their presentations are:
1) Keep it simple: The less words per page the better
2) Use interesting photographs or use none at all
3) Use few transitions and if you do use them, use ones that are professional
4) Choose a clear, large font that is easily read by all people in the room
5) Take time to organize the slides into a logical manner
Finally, I think it is important to inform the class of what I personally find annoying in bad PowerPoint presentations. I personally think that the three worst aspects of bad PowerPoint slides would be too much text on a page and cheesy transitions/sounds.
These general aspects of a good PowerPoint presentation will greatly enhance the quality of any PowerPoint presentation that we make during our college career.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
EXCELerate
Hello again. Spring break is over and the semester is finally on the downward slope to the finish. While on the topic of the finish, it is an excellent moment to reflect on the amazing application that is Microsoft Excel. I am quite elated that we went so in depth into Excel for it is a program that is used in essentially every single science class that I will be taking for the remainder of my stay at Trinity. Not only is it useful and applicable in class, but also I will use it extensively in Dr. Urbach's research lab.
The parts of Excel that I am most glad to have learned would definitely be the use of charts and graphs. The ability to create a graphic to display data is essential to being a successful research scientist. I will be able to use and apply these skills in excel throughout the rest of my career both as a student and doctor. In the near future, they will be very useful in the classroom and the lab for displaying data in a succinct manner.
I am very glad that we spent so much time on Excel and I know for a fact that I will be able to apply these skills for a the rest of my life.
The parts of Excel that I am most glad to have learned would definitely be the use of charts and graphs. The ability to create a graphic to display data is essential to being a successful research scientist. I will be able to use and apply these skills in excel throughout the rest of my career both as a student and doctor. In the near future, they will be very useful in the classroom and the lab for displaying data in a succinct manner.
I am very glad that we spent so much time on Excel and I know for a fact that I will be able to apply these skills for a the rest of my life.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
CLT
That was a very useful field trip that we want on in our last class. The CLT is a very cool technology lab for students to go use on the first floor of our very own library. The best part is, all the great technological tools located there are at our (students) disposal. During the trip, I learned about many cool resources that the people at the CLT can help me with when I go there. I am personally interested in using their audio recording rooms and their many available Machintosh Desktops. I would also like to convert some LPs to CDs since they have the technology to do such tasks. Lastly, it is a very good place to go study because of hiow quiet and secluded it is.
I am very glad that we went to the CLT. I now know of a place where I can use top of the line technology and have assisstance with any technology that I do not know how to use.
I am very glad that we went to the CLT. I now know of a place where I can use top of the line technology and have assisstance with any technology that I do not know how to use.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Its A Big 'Un!
Wow! If the picture of the grass hopper on this postcard does not scare you than there is something wrong with you. This grass hopper, if it really existed, could surely take over all of man kind however, it is fortunately merely the concoction of hysterically talented photo shop users.
I choose this photo due to the humor in seeing a huge grass hopper being driven into town on the big old style truck. I also enjoyed the clever caption that was added underneath the photo stating: "Haulin Em Out." This photo was made by famous "photographer" Frank Conard of Garden City, Kansas. He manipulated it probably by taking an old picture of a man with a truck and adding in the image of a grass hopper on top of the truck. He finally enlarged the grass hopper to make it funny. It was manipulated for the purpose to entertain people who saw it and also to sell copies of the postcard bearing this image. I do not think that the manipulation was harmful, if anything, it brought a smile to many people who have viewed this picture over the years. Thats all for today so til next time, hop'e you don't run into any hoppers!
http://news.cnet.com/2300-1026_3-6033210-17.html
I choose this photo due to the humor in seeing a huge grass hopper being driven into town on the big old style truck. I also enjoyed the clever caption that was added underneath the photo stating: "Haulin Em Out." This photo was made by famous "photographer" Frank Conard of Garden City, Kansas. He manipulated it probably by taking an old picture of a man with a truck and adding in the image of a grass hopper on top of the truck. He finally enlarged the grass hopper to make it funny. It was manipulated for the purpose to entertain people who saw it and also to sell copies of the postcard bearing this image. I do not think that the manipulation was harmful, if anything, it brought a smile to many people who have viewed this picture over the years. Thats all for today so til next time, hop'e you don't run into any hoppers!
http://news.cnet.com/2300-1026_3-6033210-17.html
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