We have going through the series titled: The Most Common Programmes in which I have been teaching you. We have gone through Windows X.P., Microsoft Word (the basic Word Processing programme), Excel (the basic spreadsheet programme). Today, we are going through PowerPoint. (to learn Windows X.P., Word and Excel, you may consult previous editions of this column).

PowerPoint is the basic programme for public presentations or shows. Such a public presentation could be a seminar, workshop, concert, talk, lecture, etc., in which the speaker is talking to an audience. The content of the speaker (i.e. of his lecture/talk) is usually displayed by PowerPoint on a large screen with the use of a projector. By this, the audience can follow along or easily take notes as the speaker speaks.

This technology is not only restricted to lectures/seminars, it could also be used in places like the Law court for example, to show evidence or other articles of interest to the court through the programme. PowerPoint is a very interesting application, and it always makes such occasions enjoyable to the participants. It makes the attention of the audience stuck to the content of the lecture, thereby making the speakers task/communication a lot easier. It can display graphics, animations, texts, videos, audios, etc., thus making the occasion interesting for both speaker and audience. In other words, with PowerPoint, as a speaker, your task is a lot easier, and as an audience, your time in listening is a lot more enjoyable.

Who are those who use PowerPoint, or where is PowerPoint used?

Any profession or occasion that is characterized by a speaker and a live audience is a place suited for PowerPoint programme use. Examples include research presentation/seminar (pre- or post-data as done in the institutions of higher learning), motivational speakers, programme launch, display, evaluation or commissioning (especially in the government, or national or international NGOs).

For example, in the academia, students (undergraduates, postgraduates), lecturers, professors, continually carry out research. Most research involve a target problem, it (the research) is meant to provide solution for, taking data, coming with results, and from results propound solution to the said problem(s). in my school for example, we did pre-data seminar (your proposal), and post data (your result and recommendation). The research follow almost the same procedure at all levels of learning, be it undergraduate, post graduate, doctorate, professorship, or whatever.