3. How are presentations used?

We tend to associate presentation software only being used by a person who is going to stand in front of an audience and speak or give a lecture.

However, this isn't the only way that a presentation can be given to people.

A presentation can be set up to run continuously on a screen. Passers by can stop and watch for a short while.

The presentation usually loops automatically back to the beginning once it has finished.

This can be used when you want to give people information. For example, the Post Office use this method to inform people about their products whilst queuing.

Slides from a presentation can be printed onto acetates and used with an overhead projector.

This method is becoming less common now as most businesses and schools use projectors linked to a computer.

The slide show can be printed out in handout form. This puts between 2-6 slides onto one page. Handouts are often given to the audience so that they can make their own notes whilst the speaker is talking and to give them something to take away after the presentation.