Be able to apply consistent animation effects on text, images and other objects

Presentations – Creating Consistent, Effective Slides (IGCSE ICT Section 19)

1. Workflow Overview (AO1)

Follow this logical sequence before adding any animation. It mirrors the Cambridge ICT specification (0417) and ensures every required element is covered.

1. Plan the slide structure – decide the number of slides, order of ideas and the overall layout (title slide, section headings, content slides, summary).
2. Select a template – use a built‑in or custom template that reflects the required corporate or school house style.
3. Set up a Master Slide (see Section 2).
4. Insert and edit objects – text, images, tables, charts, audio/video, hyperlinks (see Section 3).
5. Apply a unified style – fonts, colours, background, placeholders (see Section 4).
6. Add presenter notes & hyperlinks (see Section 5).
7. Apply consistent animation & transition effects (see Sections 6‑8).
8. Check accessibility and export the final file (see Sections 9‑10).

2. Using a Master Slide (AO1)

The Master Slide guarantees that fonts, colours, footers and placeholders stay identical on every slide.

• Open the Slide Master view:

  • PowerPoint (Windows): View → Slide Master
  • Google Slides: Slide → Edit master
  • LibreOffice Impress: View → Master Slide

• Edit the primary placeholders:

  • Title placeholder – set font, size, colour.
  • Body‑text placeholder – define line spacing, bullet style.
  • Footer – insert slide number, date, logo or copyright notice.

• Apply the master to the whole deck (usually automatic; if not, click Apply to All Slides).
• Lock placeholders that must not be altered (e.g., company logo).

3. Inserting and Editing Objects (AO1)

All common objects can be added on any slide. Use the same style for each object type to maintain consistency.

4. Applying a Unified Style (AO2)

• Font family – e.g., Arial 12 pt for body, Arial Bold 16 pt for headings.
• Colour palette – choose 2–3 corporate colours; use them for text, shapes and background accents.
• Placeholder alignment – left‑aligned titles, left‑aligned body text.
• All style choices must be linked to the Master slide so a single change updates the whole deck.

5. Adding Presenter Notes & Hyperlinks (AO2)

• Presenter notes – click the Notes pane below the slide and write brief cue‑cards. Notes are never shown to the audience.
• Internal hyperlinks – select text or an object → Insert → Link → “Place in this document” → choose the target slide.
• External hyperlinks – insert a URL (e.g., a web article) or an email link (mailto:). Set the start option to “On Click”.

6. Animation & Transition Fundamentals (AO2 / AO3)

Animations must support the message; unnecessary effects distract.

7. Planning for Animation Consistency (AO2)

Use the decision‑tree below to justify speed and start options. Apply the same choices to every similar object.

• Is the item a core idea?

  • Yes → Start: “On Click”
    Speed: Medium or Slow (gives audience time to read).
  • No → Start: “After previous” (auto‑advance)
    Speed: Fast (keeps momentum).

• Will the effect distract from the message?

  • Yes → Choose a simpler effect (e.g., “Appear” instead of “Zoom”).
  • No → A slightly more dynamic effect may be acceptable.

Standardised animation set (example)

1. All slide titles – Entrance “Fade In”, Medium speed, “On Click”.
2. All bullet‑point items – Entrance “Appear”, Fast, “After previous”.
3. Key data points – Emphasis “Pulse”, Medium, “On Click”.
4. Images that leave the slide – Exit “Fade Out”, Medium, “After previous”.

8. Implementing Animations in the Three Most Common Packages (AO2)

9. Accessibility & Good Practice (AO3)

• High‑contrast text/background (minimum 4.5 : 1 contrast ratio).
• Avoid rapid or flashing animations – keep each effect longer than 0.5 seconds.
• Provide alternative text for all images (right‑click → “Edit Alt Text”).
• Limit total animation time per slide to ≤ 3 seconds to prevent cognitive overload.
• Check that the presentation works with screen‑reader narration (most modern software reads slide titles and alt text).
• Use simple, consistent navigation – avoid hidden “click‑through” slides that the audience cannot follow.

10. Exporting & Delivering the Finished Presentation (AO2)

1. Save the working file in the native format (PPTX, PPT, ODP).
2. Export as PDF for printing or distribution – layout is preserved; animation notes are retained in a separate “Notes” page.
3. Print hand‑outs – choose “Print Slides with Notes” to give the audience cue‑cards.
4. Set up slide‑show timings (optional) – use “Rehearse Timings” if the presentation will run automatically.
5. Check compatibility on another computer before the exam – open the file and run the slide‑show to confirm all animations work.

11. Practical Checklist for a Consistent Animation Set (AO2)

1. All slide titles use the same entrance effect (e.g., Fade In, Medium, “On Click”).
2. All body‑text items share one entrance effect (e.g., Appear, Fast, “After previous”).
3. Key data points or headings have a uniform emphasis effect (e.g., Pulse, Medium, “On Click”).
4. All images that leave the slide use the same exit effect (e.g., Fade Out, Medium, “After previous”).
5. Animation speed is identical across the whole deck unless a pedagogical reason exists.
6. Start options follow a logical pattern (core ideas – “On Click”; supporting items – “After previous”).
7. Accessibility checks completed (contrast, alt text, no rapid flashing).
8. Preview the entire slide‑show to ensure flow feels natural and no effect is distracting.
9. Export a PDF version and a hand‑out with notes for final delivery.

12. Syllabus Coverage Audit (IGCSE ICT 0417 – 2026‑2028)

Use this table to verify that every required sub‑item appears in your notes and practice activities.

13. Mini‑Project: Integrating All Required Skills (AO2 / AO3)

This activity can be used for a class assignment or exam practice.

1. Database design – Create a simple “School Library” database with two tables (Books, Borrowers). Define primary keys, a foreign key, and a query that lists overdue books.
2. Spreadsheet analysis – Import the query result into a spreadsheet. Use VLOOKUP to add borrower contact details, and create a bar chart showing the number of overdue books per class.
3. Website authoring – Build a one‑page HTML file that:

   • Displays the same bar chart (embed as an image).
   • Provides a table of overdue books with proper th headings.
   • Uses CSS to apply the colour palette defined in the presentation Master slide.
   • Includes alt‑text for every image and ensures a contrast ratio ≥ 4.5 : 1.

4. Presentation creation – Produce a 6‑slide deck that:

   • Uses a Master slide for consistent style.
   • Shows the database schema (Entrance – Fade In, Medium, “On Click”).
   • Animates the spreadsheet chart (Entrance – Appear, Fast, “After previous”).
   • Emphasises the key statistic (e.g., “12 books overdue”) with a Pulse effect, Medium, “On Click”.
   • Ends with a summary slide that exits all objects using Fade Out, Medium, “After previous”.

5. Accessibility audit – Use the checklist in Section 9 to verify contrast, alt‑text, and animation timing.

14. Suggested Diagram (Illustrative)