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Home > Technology > Improving Lectures > Successful Lectures with Computer Projection

Successful Lectures with Computer Projection

Check out the Classroom BEFORE you Present!

• UO classrooms are slowly being equipped with computer projection equipment. The classroom you plan to teach in may already have the appropriate equipment. Check Media Service's Multimedia Room List to find out.
  
• If you aren't assigned to one of the few classrooms on campus with built-in computer projection, you can obtain the hardware and assistance you need to set it up from several places on campus.
  
• Check to see that the window coverings adequately block outside light.
  
• The overhead projection system should be bright enough to project a clear, crisp image.
  
• The image should be large enough so that students seated in the rear of the classroom can easily read text and view images.
  
• Students need enough light to take notes. Lights located on the rear and side of the classroom are best suited for this purpose. All lights in the front of the classroom should be dimmed.

Is Network Access Necessary for the Presentation?

If your presentation involves the Internet (e.g., the World Wide Web, newsgroups, e-mail, your departmental server) then you must have access to UONET, which requires that:

• the classroom have a live Ethernet jack or wireless node. This information is available from Network Services and Micro Services.
  
• the computer have an Ethernet or wireless card. If the computer can normally access the internet from on-campus, then it has an Ethernet card.
  
• the physical location has an Internet Protocol (IP) address. This is what enables the Computing Center to connect your computer to the Internet from this new location. This information is also available from Network Services.

Basic Preparation

We cannot recommend strongly enough that you test your presentation ahead of time. Set up the equipment and run through the presentation as completely as you can, at least a day before your class. This will give you enough time to fix the problems that crop up during the test. Run the test in the classroom where you will be presenting, so you can test the network connection and the viewing suitability of that classroom.

Prepare a backup. If your presentation depends on certain files, make sure you make a second copy of these files.

If your presentation depends on Web pages, be prepared to run the presentation locally. You can do this by saving to disk copies of all the files that the Web page will reference in your presentation. Make sure you change all the references to links to from their Gladstone, Darkwing., or Oregon file reference to local file references.

Walk around the classroom and view the presentation from different points in the classroom. Check to see that the image is clear and easily viewed from all angles of the room. Make sure the text is large enough for all to read. Are all font colors easily seen? Be aware that color blind students have trouble seeing certain colors. Check with your students to find out if any have vision problems.

The day of the presentation, get to the classroom early to allow plenty of time to set up the presentation.

 

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