Communication Systems Technology Research Pathfinder

WJHS Pathfinder for Technology Education

Communicate It!

Communication Systems Technology B

Assignment

Topics

Searching the Shelves

Learning Research
Hub

Internet Sites

Assignment

Lesson:

         PowerPoint Presentation Skills
         Research Skills
         General Graphic Communication Concepts

Objectives:

        1. Apply basic research skills to investigate topics in communication technology.
        2. Apply practical organizational / writing skills to report findings.
        3. Apply design skills to create a computer generated slide presentation.
        4. Become familiar with the PowerPoint software as a tool for effective communication.

Challenge:

Using available resources investigate a topic in Communication Technology.
Report your findings to your peers in a computer generated slide show presentation.

Background:

Communication Technology is the application of knowledge, tools, resources and skills to
transmit messages that educate, stimulate, and enable the improvement of our standard of
living. Successful communication has been important since the first interaction of humans.

Presentation software such as PowerPoint, Astound, or Freelance Graphics is becoming an
increasingly more popular, if not an essential, tool to enable successful communication in the
modern workplace. Businesses, industries, government agencies, television news groups, and
educational institutions are relying on these computer applications to produce professional
quality presentations quickly and easily. The multimedia approach allows for increased learning
by stimulating auditory and visual senses simultaneously. Multiple stimuli, such as sound and
motion, enhance presentations and engage the audience. It is commonplace to find this kind of software running airport kiosks, storefront message boards, or community bulletins.

As a college bound student and/or destined business employee, you will be expected to be
familiar with a wide variety of communication tools available to communicate ideas. Knowledge
of presentation software will enable you to integrate word-processed notes, graphics, animation,
sound, spreadsheet and database tables, and organizational charts and graphs. The programs
can be used to generate overhead transparencies, 35mm slides, printed outlines, continous
looped video presentations, or interactive noteboards that enhance oral presentations. In the
hands of a knowledgeable communicator these are powerful tools.

Design Parameters:

w Students will work individually to research an instructor-approved topic in
communication systems technology.

w Students will work individually to design & create a computer generated slide
show presentation using the PowerPoint software to report research findings.

w Each student will display and explain his/her presentation to the class using
the appropriate A.V. equipment.

w Presentations should consist of no less than 10 slides.

w Presentations should include a title slide, introduction or overview slide, body slides,
a conclusion slide, and a reference slide.

         w The presentation must contain a consistent background, transitions, and digital clipart,
            line art or scanned photography. Slides may incorporate sound, animations, or timed
            transitions as appropriate.

w The presentation must be arranged in a logical order and explain the importance
of the topic to the evolution of communication technology.

w Each student must keep a paper story board or design log to show evidence
of their planning.

         w Upon completion of the activity each student will turn in a story board, a copy
            of the presentation outline, and presentation handouts. The instructor, for distribution
            to the class, will copy the handouts.

w Work must be accessed through the school’s network.

Think To Yourself

        1. What do you know about your topic?
        2. What discipline of communication technology does your topic involve?
        3. What is special about your topic? What makes it interesting or unique?
        4. If your topic is a system does it contain sub-systems? How do they function?
        5. How does your topic relate to communication technology?
        6. How has your topic influenced the evolution of communication technology?
        7. How has your topic impacted society? Consider both the positive and negative.
        8. Where might you find information about you topic?
        9. What images or graphics might support information on your topic?
        10. Could a graph or chart help explain an aspect of your topic?

Suggestions

wKeep it simple in the beginning. Avoid fancy gimmicks until a basic structure is
established and you have gained an understanding of the software.

wDo your research and plan your layout before you start on the presentation.

wUse Graphic Comm Central and the Media Center resource pages to start your research.

wUse a logical outline format to present information. Avoid “wordy” slides.

wUse only images that support the idea.

wUse a template, especially if you are a novice. Follow the guideline sheet for basics.

wBe consistent. Follow current design etiquette.

wExpand your current capabilities. Learn new skills and apply them.

Topics

Dye Sublimation	Typography	Bindery
Gravure Printing	Electrostatic Printing	Ink Jet Printing
Continuous Tone Photography	Local Area Networks	Pantone Matching Color System
Line Photography	Wide Area Networks	Digital Video
Flexography	Ethernet	Digital Scanning
Lithography	Modems	Digital Animation
Holography	Screenprinting	Johann Gutenberg

Searching the Shelves

All computers in the library can access the Media Center's Electronic Card Catalog. It is located
on the Global Access Menu under Media Center Programs. The Catalog identifies all the holdings
(books, etc.) of the WJHS Media Center. It is also possible to search for materials on the
MCPS Library Catalog Online. Be sure to set the limits of your search to Walter Johnson HS only.

If you wish to expand your research use this link to Other Libraries. This link provides direct
connections to the Montgomery County Public Library system, as well as libraries at NIH,
University of Maryland, the Library of Congress and others.

Information on Technology can be found in 600-699 section of the library.

Learning Research Hub

Walter Johnson’s Learning Research Hub provides access to a catalog of all books and materials
located in the Media Center, and to a wide variety of general and subject-based online reference
materials. The links below provide useful research tools for this project.

General Resources
Encyclopedia, Almanacs, Dictionaries, Atlases

Science Resources

News & Magazine Resources

* When using GaleNet select: DISCovering Science

Internet Sites

Use the following Internet Sites for information on this project. If you discover other useful
Internet sites complete the Internet Checklist (copies available in Media Center) to authenticate
the site.

DYE SUBLIMATION PRINTING

Dye-Sublimation

SUBLIMATION IMPRINTING

What is gravure printing?