Communication: Preparation of Copies

How transparencies were used
with an overhead projector

Preferences for using transparencies

How teachers and other presenters used their transparencies was very much a matter of personal preference, just as how they might choose to use computer-aided projection today.

One point worth mentioning though is that it was common to have all the bullet points in a list on one transparency and to make them visible one at a time by sliding back a sheet of paper. The paper, which could be of any type, blocked out the light, making anything beneath it invisible to viewers.

Numbers of transparencies per presentation

It is well known that, within reason, the more visual aids in a presentation the better. However, a stack of transparencies was bulky and rather heavy. I used to give numerous presentations overseas when packing to a weight and size limit was important. Yet the transparencies were essential. How much better just to have to pack a memory stick! For presenters, the advantages of modern computer-aided presentation such as PowerPoint are very considerable compared with transparencies on an OHP.

Resource implications for schools, colleges, etc

For the institutions that had to provide the overhead projectors and their associated equipment, the resource implications were considerable. OHPs were too bulky to be moved from room to room on a regular basis, so a large number needed to be bought. The pens were also an expense because new ones had to be bought quite frequently as they were used up or dried out. Resplacement packs of blank transparencies had to be bought on a regular basis. In contrast the tools of computer-aided projection are long-lasting.

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