Unit 1.1.8 Using Presentations and Multimedia in Teaching

 

In today’s classrooms, learning becomes more exciting when teachers use visuals, sounds, and interactive materials.
Technology gives us tools that help learners see, hear, and experience lessons — not just listen.

A presentation is a structured way of showing information using slides, pictures, and sometimes videos or audio.
Multimedia means combining more than one form of media — text, sound, images, and animation — to communicate a message.

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💡 1️⃣ Why Use Presentations and Multimedia in Education

When used properly, multimedia transforms teaching from talk and chalk to show and interact.

📘 Benefits for Teachers

• Makes lesson delivery more engaging and enjoyable.

• Saves time when reusing digital lessons each term.

• Encourages creativity and innovation in lesson planning.

• Helps teachers demonstrate complex ideas (e.g., science processes).

📗 Benefits for Learners

• Improves understanding through pictures and videos.

• Keeps attention and interest longer than plain text.

• Supports different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).

• Builds digital exposure and curiosity among students.

💬 “A simple picture or video can make a learner understand what ten paragraphs could not explain.” — KAWA CONNECT

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🧰 2️⃣ Tools for Creating Presentations

You can use any of the following tools available on your computer or phone:

Tool	Purpose / Use
Microsoft PowerPoint	Create professional slides with text, images, and animation.
WPS Presentation	A lighter alternative for computers with less memory.
Google Slides	Cloud-based tool for online collaboration.
Canva	Beautiful templates for posters and slides.
CapCut / InShot	For simple video lessons using mobile phones.

Even if your school doesn’t have a projector, slides can still be shared as printouts or shown from a laptop or phone screen during lessons.

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🧭 3️⃣ Getting Started with PowerPoint

💻 Steps:

1. Click Start Menu → Microsoft PowerPoint.

2. Choose Blank Presentation.

3. Click on the Title Slide and type your lesson topic and name.

4. Add new slides by clicking Home → New Slide.

✅ Tip: Keep slides simple — one key point per slide.

Example:

Topic: The Water Cycle
Slide 1: Title – “Understanding the Water Cycle”
Slide 2: Diagram showing evaporation and condensation
Slide 3: Short notes and images
Slide 4: Quiz questions for learners

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🎨 4️⃣ Designing Clear and Attractive Slides

A good slide is easy to read and visually balanced.

🧩 Best Practices

• Use large fonts (size 24–32).

• Choose contrasting colors (e.g., white text on dark background).

• Avoid writing full paragraphs — use key phrases or bullet points.

• Add pictures or icons to represent ideas.

• Keep 3–5 points per slide maximum.

• Use animations carefully to emphasize important parts — not to distract.

🗣️ “A great slide speaks clearly even when the teacher is silent.”

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📷 5️⃣ Adding Multimedia Elements

🎞️ Insert Pictures

• Go to Insert → Pictures → This Device to choose an image from your computer.

• Resize by dragging the corners.

🎵 Insert Audio

• Insert → Audio → Audio on My PC.

• Use recorded instructions, reading passages, or sound effects.

🎥 Insert Video

• Insert → Video → From File or embed a short clip (e.g., how rainfall forms).

✍️ Add Text Boxes or Shapes

• Use these to label diagrams or highlight key terms.

✅ Tip: Keep videos short (1–2 minutes) to save time and memory.

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🧑🏽‍🏫 6️⃣ Using Presentations in Class

Even with limited resources, you can creatively use presentations to enhance lessons.

Examples from Ugandan Classrooms:

• Science: Show pictures of the digestive system instead of just drawing it on the board.

• Geography: Display maps and videos of local landforms or rivers.

• Literature: Present key quotes, themes, and pictures of characters in a play.

• Languages: Use slides for spelling drills or pronunciation practice with sound clips.

If your school has no projector, display slides directly from a laptop screen or share them with learners via flash drive or KAWA CONNECT Hub Router.

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🧩 7️⃣ Classroom Tips for Teachers

• Rehearse your lesson before class.

• Keep backup copies of your presentation.

• Avoid overcrowding slides with text or images.

• Adjust brightness for clear visibility.

• Encourage learners to make their own short slides for ICT Club projects.

💬 “A well-prepared slide is like a well-written blackboard — but it can be saved, shared, and reused.”

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🎯 8️⃣ Practical Activities

🪄 Activity 1: Create a Simple Lesson Presentation

1. Open PowerPoint or WPS Presentation.

2. Make 3–5 slides on a topic you teach.

3. Include at least one image and one short bullet list.

4. Save the file as “MyFirstLesson.pptx.”

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🎥 Activity 2: Add Multimedia

Insert a picture and, if possible, record your own short voice-over.
Explain one concept as if you were in class.

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📊 Activity 3: Peer Review

Exchange your slides with a fellow teacher.
Give each other feedback on design, clarity, and creativity.

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🌱 Reflection for Teachers

Take a few minutes to reflect:

• Which topics in your subject would benefit most from visuals or videos?

• How can multimedia help learners with different learning styles?

• What challenges might you face (e.g., equipment, time, or electricity), and how can you overcome them?

Write your reflection in your KAWA CONNECT journal or ICT Club workbook.

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🔚 Conclusion

Presentations and multimedia bring learning to life.
They help teachers communicate complex ideas simply and give learners memorable experiences that go beyond words.

You don’t need fancy tools — only creativity, preparation, and a willingness to try.
Start small with a few slides, add images, and practice showing them confidently.

💬 “When lessons come alive on screen, learners come alive in class.” — KAWA CONNECT