Using Overhead Projectors

(OHPs) and Overhead

Transparencies (OHTs)

Using OHPs and OHTs

Overhead Projectors (OHPs) and Overhead Transparencies (OHTs)…

provide one of the simplest technologies to create and use visual and verbal information in the training environment…...

Using OHPs and OHTs

But they are also one of the most mis-used!

Using OHPs and OHTs

Overhead Projectors (OHPs)…. project an image onto a wall or screen by shining light through a clear plastic sheet (transparency) which may have words and/or images on it.

Using OHPs and OHTs

Overhead Projectors

(OHPs)….

Advantages:•can be used in any room where there is electricity and a white wall or screen

• can show a large image to be shared by the whole group

Using OHPs and OHTs

Overhead Projectors (OHPs)

….

Disadvantages:• may need the room to be darkened - so the image can be seen

• can create a “one-way” relationship with the presenter

• can create a nice environment for people to “shut-off” and go to sleep!

Using OHPs and OHTs

Overhead Projectors (OHPs)

….

Tips:• keep the glass or projection surface clean

• make sure you have a spare bulb

• test it before you use it!

Using OHPs and OHTs

Overhead Projectors (OHPs)

….

Using OHPs and OHTs

OHTs can be made by:• drawing directly onto the transparency

• putting the transparency through a photocopier

• directly printing onto the transparency using a laser-printer or an ink-jet printer

• converting slides or photographs into an OHT (expensive!)

Using OHPs and OHTs

OHTs can be made by:• drawing directly onto the transparency

Using OHPs and OHTs

You can put your OHTs in special

folders.. this will:

•protect them from fingerprints and other marks

• let you put them in a “ring -binder”

• let you put notes on the border or frame to help you.

Portrait or Landscape?

Opinions differ on the use of either format… Portrait looks more like a printed page…

Landscape looks more like television and the movies

Using OHPs and OHTs

Portrait or Landscape?

PORTRAIT tends to be easier to fit everything on an Overhead Projector

LANDSCAPE seems to work best using Powerpoint and digital projection

But this is not an “Unmovable Law!”

Using OHPs and OHTs

6 W

1 foot of screen Width =

6 feet of viewing distance

i.e :measure the width of your projected image in inches…divide by two…and then move that many feet away from the screen…people should still be able to clearly see the image.

Using OHPs and OHTs

How Big?…here is an easy test.

Use the...

formula!

6 W

Using OHPs and OHTs

Leave at least a 1 inch border around your

images.

Using OHPs and OHTs

Selecting Fonts…

some fonts are “Serif” such as:

• Times Roman

•Book Antiqua

•Copperplate Gothic

...these are better suited for Titles or for the printed page.

Using OHPs and OHTs

Selecting Fonts…

some fonts are “Sans-Serif” such as:

• Ariel

•Century Gothic

• Comic Sans

… these are better suited for Text on projected visuals.

Using OHPs and OHTs

Selecting Fonts…

This is Arial size 60.Can you read Arial 48?How far back can you read Arial 36?How far away is Arial 28 readable?

And how far can you go back and still read Arial 18?

Using OHPs and OHTs

Selecting Fonts…

whatever you choose…be consistent - use one font for

the Title and one for the text…people will get used to

the pattern

Using OHPs and OHTs

Title

text

Line SpacingIf lines of type are too close together, they become very difficult for the eye to separate. Although a leading default is set on a word processor, the line spacing can almost always be manually changed.

Using OHPs and OHTs

If lines of type are too close together,

they become very difficult for the eye

to separate. Although the spacing

default is set on a word processor, the

line spacing can almost always be

manually changed.

Adding Colour…colour can add effect to your image…it can:

• highlight a particular feature

•or add drama or effect

Using OHPs and OHTs

1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr

Adding Colour…colour can be added simply by colouring in with a coloured pen

Using OHPs and OHTs

Adding Colour…colour can be added by creating your slide on a computer program (Word or Powerpoint) and printing on a colour printer.

Using OHPs and OHTs

WOW!

I am using

Colour!

Adding Colour…

WARM Colours

Using OHPs and OHTs

Adding Colour…

COOL Colours

Using OHPs and OHTs

ONE TWO

THREE FOUR

Using OHPs and OHTs

Adding Colour…

Useful CONTRAST

ONE TWO

THREE FOUR

Using OHPs and OHTs

Adding Colour…

Bad Contrast

Beware of using too much colour

or the wrong colours…

Using OHPs and OHTs

WOW!

I am using

Colour!

Beware of using dark or

complicated backgrounds

Using OHPs and OHTs

WOW!

I am using

Colour!

WOW!

I am using

Colour!

Check that your OHT can be seen

clearly

Using OHPs and OHTs

WOW!

I am using

Colour!

Use OHTs to….

Progressively reveal information -using a sheet of paper

Using OHPs and OHTs

Use OHTs to….

Using OHPs and OHTs

Create overlays to build up layers of information

Use OHTs to….

Using OHPs and OHTs

Complete questions or tasks in front of the group

Use OHTs to….

Using OHPs and OHTs

Let participants report back and present information to the whole group

Using OHPs and OHTs

Using OHPs and OHTs