Presentation program facts for kids
A presentation program (also called presentation software) is a special computer program. It helps you show information as a slide show. Think of it like a digital flipbook where each page is a "slide."
These programs have three main parts:
- An editor where you can type and change text.
- Tools to add and move pictures and media clips (like videos or sounds).
- A system to play your slides one after another, like a show.
Presentation software is a modern way to share ideas. It's different from old methods like blackboards or flip charts. It uses electronic media to make presentations more exciting.
Today, these programs are used everywhere. Businesses use them for business plans and meetings. Students and teachers use them for school projects and lessons. They are also common at conferences where people share new ideas.
Most meeting rooms and conference halls have special equipment for presentations. This includes projectors that show slides from a laptop. Presenters often use slides as a visual guide. This helps both them and the audience follow along. Sometimes, pictures and charts are the best way to explain things, especially statistical graphics. A good infographic can show a lot of information quickly.
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How Presentation Programs Started
In the 1980s, computers changed how people made presentations. Special programs became available that let anyone create professional-looking slides.
At first, these programs made slides for old-fashioned slide projectors. Companies would take your computer files and turn them into 35 mm slides or transparencies. Later, LCD screens that sat on top of projectors became popular. By the early 2000s, video projectors took over, making it easy to show slides directly from a computer.
The very first computer program for presentations was called BRUNO. It was made by Hewlett-Packard in 1979. The first program that showed a presentation right on a computer screen was VCN ExecuVision in 1982. It even had a library of images you could use!
Famous programs like Harvard Graphics and Lotus Freelance Graphics came out in 1986. PowerPoint was first released for Macintosh computers in 1987.
The internet brought new ways to present. ThinkFree Show was the first web-based presentation program in 2001. A few years later, in 2007, Google Docs Presentations launched. This program is now known as Google Slides.
Cool Features of Presentation Software
Presentation programs help speakers share their ideas easily. They also give the audience visual information to go with the talk. There are many types of presentations, like for work, school, or just for fun.
These programs can replace older tools like pamphlets, chalkboards, or posters. You can put text, pictures, videos, and other things on individual "slides." The word "slide" comes from the old slide projectors. You can print slides or, more commonly, show them on a screen. You control when each slide appears. You can even save your whole presentation as a video.
You can make your slides look exciting with animations. For example, slides can fade in or elements can appear one by one. A key challenge is to share clear information in a limited time.
Many programs come with ready-made images called clip art. You can also add your own pictures. Some tools even let you search for and add images from websites like Flickr or Google. You can also create custom graphics in other programs like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.
With more people using digital photography and video, many photo and video programs now have presentation features. For example, iPhoto lets you create slide shows of your digital photos. You can add music, choose transitions, and decide if the show loops.
Adding More Power to Your Presentations
Just like apps for your phone, "add-ons" or plugins can make presentation programs even better. These can add new features or tools.
You can even use a smartphone as a remote control for your slides. This lets you change slides, see your notes, or use a laser pointer from your phone. Some programs also let audiences interact, like with audience response systems. You can also present to people in different places using web conferencing. Tools like laser pointers and interactive whiteboards make live presentations easier.
Popular Presentation Programs
As of 2007, MS PowerPoint became very popular. It's easy for teachers to use and helps them make lessons more interesting. PowerPoint lets teachers use different types of media, like diagrams, photos, sounds, and videos. It helps them show the main points of a topic clearly. PowerPoint is often used with an LCD projector and a large screen in classrooms.
See also
In Spanish: Programa de presentación para niños
- Office suite
- Productivity software
- Wireless clicker
