IIIrd CE students (Vth Sem, Syllabus Radio & TV, Module: III)

Module: III

The information age

The term has been noted as identifying an era when "ideas about the computer, the internet, or digital resources seem to influence policy decisions more than social concerns about access, privacy or preservation."

Thus, the term "Information Age" is often applied in relation to the use of cell phones, digital music, high definition television, digital cameras, the Internet, cable TV, and other items that have come into common use in the past 30 years.

The information age, also commonly known as the computer age or information era, is an idea that the current age will be characterized by the ability of individuals to transfer information freely, and to have instant access to knowledge that would have been difficult or impossible to find previously. The idea is linked to the concept of a digital age or digital revolution, and carries the ramifications of a shift from traditional industry that the industrial revolution brought through industrialization, to an economy based on the manipulation of information.

The information age formed by capitalizing on the computer microminiaturization advances, with a transition spanning from the advent of the personal computer in the late 1970s to the internet reaching a critical mass in the early 1990s, and the adoption of such technology by the public in the two decades after 1990. The Information Age has allowed rapid global communications and networking to shape modern society.

IIIrd CE students (Vth Sem, Syllabus Radio & TV, Module: IV)

Module IV: CINEMA

Introduction

A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects. The process of film making has developed into an art form and industry.

Films are cultural artifacts created by specific cultures, which reflect those cultures, and, in turn, affect them. Film is considered to be an important art form, a source of popular entertainment and a powerful method for educating – or indoctrinating – citizens. The visual elements of cinema give motion pictures a universal power of communication. Some films have become popular worldwide attractions by using dubbing or subtitles that translate the dialogue into the language of the viewer.

Open Course, English for Careers, Module III & V

Module III

1. Structuring and delivering a presentation

Keys to Writing a Winning Presentation

Ø      Create an Outline.  You may not think you need to outline your topic, but be assured it will save you time in the long run.  Outlining your entire presentation before you set out to write it lets you organize the flow of information and ensure that you have included all of the relevant topics.   One great trick for outlining is to write each key topic on a Post-it note and map it out on a large white board.  The sticky notes can be moved and reordered until you find a logical progression. 

Ø      Determine the Proper Number of Slides.  If you are using PowerPoint, the rule of thumb is that each slide should require 2-3 minutes of discussion.  If you are speaking for an hour, 60+ slides will be too many.  You know your topic best, but 25-30 slides would probably be appropriate for a one-hour presentation. 

Ø      Limit the Amount of Text.  Slides that are too wordy will cause your audience to lose interest faster than the freeway fills up at rush hour.  Try to keep to no more than five bullet points and whenever possible, show instead of tell.  This means that you should illustrate your topic with charts, graphs, graphics or other visual representation instead of words to keep your content engaging.

Ø      Minimize the Bells and Whistles.  A lot of activity or noise on your slides is bound to distract your audience.  Resist the temptation to pepper your slides with flashy activity or music unless it truly enhances your message.

Ø      Proofread and Spell Check- Twice!  Nothing kills a presentation faster than grammatical mistakes.  You could be the most engaging speaker in the world, but spelling errors and misplaced punctuation can cause your audience to lose focus and question your credibility.  I once watched an executive give a presentation with an emphasis on aspirin.  He spelled aspirin incorrectly on a series of slides and half the room was talking about it by the time it was over, completely missing a very creative and interesting discussion.  If you don’t trust your own proofreading ability, have a colleague review your presentation for you.