Pros and Cons of Powerpoints

Problem 1: Presentation medium

• PowerPoint
• Pros
• Simple
• Easy to make
• Small file size
• Straight-forward
• Works well on low-end hardware
• Cons
• Relatively primitive
• Harder to synchronize narration
• Lacks professional look
• Requires software to run
• Difficult to export into universal video format
• Cross-platform and cross-version inconsistencies

The image to the left shows how PowerPoint animation can be created. Tweened motion is created using motion paths - frame by frame editing is unavailable. Diagrams can be created by compiling "autoshapes" together. Moving the shapes within "layers" can become frustrating because you must tell one object to go behind or in front of another. Multiple shapes can be grouped into an object in order to make object manipulation more simple. Free drawing tools are limited. PowerPoint can import popular image formats. Published power point presentations can be exported as web pages, burned to cd's with viewing software preinstalled on the cd (i believe this only works with Windows OS), or simply saved and viewed with the power point program. However, the contest judges view the presentations on an unknown hardware configuration, so complications may arise when publishing the presentation and having it available to be viewed. The animations can be synchronized within a timeline interface - usually, PowerPoints rely on the viewer to "click" to advance slides, but slides can be timed. PowerPoint files are usually small, but can become rather large if imported audio, video, and images are used.

Deciding to Change

I have just read Einstein's book Relativity
I liked it. A lot. A good read with some interesting ideas.
After watching some you tube videos and watching wikipedia articles afterwards in order get a better understanding of the theory. Some of his ideas didn't catch on immediately, and some still not at all. Considering that my process on my wave tank project is almost negligible, and my interest has become weaker and weaker, now that I have encountered a topic that I am truly enthusiastic about, then I should definitely change my project to focus on this.

Post Presentation - Teacher Analyses

My teachers have told me that I am basically moving in the right direction with my presentation; of course, the presentation was incomplete because I am not as caught up as the other people in the class because of my delayed start with the project. The teachers were quite understanding of this. They just made sure to mention that a large amount of images would be used in order to aid my speaking about the presentation, and that the model reflect the highest quality in order to receive the highest grade.

Interview with Ms. X, chemistry teacher

She knows a professor at Stevens who is quite experienced with wave tank instruction. Hopefully I can get a chance to look at it this weekend. The more I get involved with this project however, the more my enthusiasm decreases. Maybe this isn't the project for me?

Post Presentation - Self Evaluation

My presentation could only cover what I have done thus far. So I could only get to my progress through the research. Simply, I have to get through my research to understand the necessary fundamentals of a successful wave tank. I know my chemistry teacher has a good amount of experience creating wave tanks. I will go interview her.

Design Brief, Specs, and Limits

Design Brief: To design and create a demonstration tool to teach ocean tidal and sediment transport principles within a classroom environment.

Specifications:

• Curriculum materials can be stored within a _x_x_* area
• Easy to assemble and disassemble
• Usable within an indoor environment
• Large enough for a standard sized classroom to view
• Easy to transport

Limitations:

• Time to complete the project
• Construction funds
• Construction materials in the MAST technology lab

Presentation Week

This week, we will be presenting for an "informal" progress update. Presentations will be made in the tech lab. Not much progress will be made this week in class.