Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 2
INTRODUCTION TO DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
INTRODUCTION TO DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Computing
Class: JHS 2
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 4
Grade code: B8.2.3.1.6
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: B8.2.3.1
Indicator code: B8.2.3.1.6
Theme: PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE
Subtheme: INTRODUCTION TO DESKTOP PUBLISHING
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
This lesson introduces learners to the fundamental skill of working with text in a Desktop Publishing (DTP) environment. In Ghana, we see professionally designed documents everywhere – from funeral posters and wedding invitations to church flyers and small business advertisements. Learning how to add and change text is the first step towards creating these documents ourselves. This skill empowers us to communicate clearly and creatively, whether for school projects, community events, or future entrepreneurial ventures. We will focus on using text boxes and the basic text formatting tools available in most DTP software.
What is Desktop Publishing (DTP)? Desktop Publishing is the use of a computer and special software to create high-quality documents that combine text and graphics for printing. Think of it as being your own graphic designer. While a word processor like Microsoft Word is mainly for typing long documents (like letters or essays), a DTP application like Microsoft Publisher is designed for laying out pages with pictures and text, such as flyers, newsletters, and invitation cards. Core Concept 1: The Text Box In most DTP applications, text does not just float on the page. It lives inside a container called a Text Box. Definition: A text box is a rectangular object on your page where you can type or paste text. Why it's important: Text boxes allow you to move your text anywhere on the page, resize it, and control it independently from other elements like pictures. This gives you complete control over your layout.
How to Add a Text Box and Text: Open your DTP software (e.g., Microsoft Publisher). Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon menu at the top. Click on the "Draw Text Box" button. Your mouse cursor will change to a crosshair (+). Click and drag on your page to draw a rectangle. This is your text box. Once you let go of the mouse button, a blinking cursor will appear inside the box. You can now start typing your text.
Example: Let's create a heading for a flyer for our school's Inter-House Athletics Competition. Draw a text box at the top of the page. Type inside it: `PRESEC BOYS' SHS ANNUAL INTER-HOUSES ATHLETICS COMPETITION` Core Concept 2: Modifying Text (Text Formatting) Once you have added text, you need to make it look good and easy to read. This is called formatting. To format any text, you must first select it by clicking and dragging your mouse over the words you want to change. Most formatting tools are found on the Home tab.
A. Font Type (or Font Face) What it is: The font type is the design or style of the letters. Different fonts create different moods. For example, *Times New Roman* looks formal and traditional, while *Comic Sans MS* looks fun and informal. How to change it: Select the text. On the Home tab, find the font dropdown menu (it will usually show the current font, like 'Calibri' or 'Arial'). Click the arrow to see a list of available fonts. Click on a new font name to apply it. Ghanaian Context: For a funeral announcement, you might choose a very formal, elegant font. For a party invitation, you might choose a playful, modern font.