It is important to keep presentations as easy to follow as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to keep your graphics simple. The most often used graphics are Images, Charts, and Backgrounds.

Images should be saved in either JPG or GIF format. Pick images that are only as complicated as you need. Images that are too highly detailed may appear unclear depending on the video settings of the students' computers. Simple images with fewer colors will be more easily understood by your students. In addition, the less complicated an image is, the smaller the image file size will be. Reduced file size will relate to faster transfer of the images through the internet to your students.

Often times you may choose to incorporate images into powerpoint slides or on web pages. It is important to note, that any image that is on the screen may distract from other items presented at the same time.

Charts should be simple and clear so that they are easily understood. Choose charts that are bold and stand out. Bar graphs and pie charts are good choices of clear charts. Line graphs and XY plots are often difficult to read. If the data is not ever displayed in such a way, do not force the data into a pie chart or bar graph. If you consider a line graph to be the most appropriate choice to display your data, be sure to make the lines thicker than usual. As with anything else in your presentation, labels, or keys that are included with the chart should be clear and easy to find.

It is best to only use a solid color background. If you must use a background image, keep it simple both to reduce download time and keep the presentation easy to read. Make sure that any background contrasts well with the chosen text, or images that is placed on it. Keep in mind that a presentation that would be printed out at some point, should have a light background with dark text. Only use dark backgrounds with light text for projected presentations that are meant for larger rooms.

The most prominent portion of any presentation, is text. In any computer based (non print) setting, the reader will see text as an image, rather than as words. With that in mind the rule for graphics holds true for text, keep it simple. Text has 4 aspects you may change Font, Type, Color and Size.

Font refers to the set of type made up of letters, numbers and symbols. Many fonts are common among current computers. The more common fonts are clear and easy to read. Some of the most commonly used fonts are:

sans serif	serif

The first two fonts (Arial and Verdana) are examples of sans serif fonts (without serif). The last two (Times New Roman and Courier) are serif fonts. Serifs refer to the strokes in the letters that come off of the main strokes of the characters. This is identifiable when when comparing a serif font to a sans serif font.

Sans serif fonts have less detail and tend to display more clearly than serif fonts of the same size. Serif fonts are always suitable for titles and large bulleted text. However, smaller text such as labels and body text, is clearer and more easily read if it is displayed in a sans serif font.

Text style can help draw attention to sections of your text. Bold, Italics, and Underlined text should only be used to indicate text that is different from the rest. Do not use it continuously. Bold is most commonly interpreted as a reinforcement of the modified text. Italics is often used as a change in voice for any modified text.

Because web pages use underlining along with a color change to indicate hyperlinks, underlined text should be avoided in computer based presentations. In this setting, underlined text that is not a functional link, will be interpreted as a broken link. This has the potential to confuse the reader. You should only use underlining in cases where it is traditionally expected, such as in citations for bibliographies.

Just like text style, color can help to indicate a portion of text that is different from the rest. Continuous changes in color will be more of a distraction than anything. Limit color choices to 2 or 3 outside of your chosen standard text color. Do not vary these colors between screens and between lessons if at all possible. Continuity in all aspects of your design helps to keep the learner focused. All chosen text should contrast well with any backgrounds. In addition to contrast, be sure that text colors match well with each other as well as with any graphics used. Although they may contrast well with dark colors, stay away from very bright colors. Bright green, blue, yellow, red etc., tend to bleed on a computer monitor and become difficult to read.

Layout deals with the way that elements of the presentation are displayed on a screen. You can keep your presentation easy to follow by keeping three items in mind.

1. Limit your presentation to one key point per screen. Reducing visable key points will allow students to keep their focus and keep their mind on the task at hand.


2. Place no more than 3 bullets on a screen at once. Too much information will only distract the user. Similar to the first point, this will help to maintain the student's focus.


3. Keep your presentation aligned to the left. This will insure that the majority of your information will be displayed on the screen and not run off the right hand side.