Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify basic desktop publishing tools: text boxes, tables, word art, and picture frames.
• Add these visual elements to a publication.
• Understand the importance of accessibility in design.
• Save and share your final publication.

Lesson summary

In today's digital world, simply writing information is not enough. How we present it matters. Desktop Publishing (DTP) software allows us to create visually appealing and professional-looking documents like flyers, posters, newsletters, and invitation cards. Think about the colourful posters you see for church programmes, political campaigns, or funeral announcements – these are all created using DTP tools. This lesson will move beyond basic word processing and equip you with the skills to design and create your own publications, a valuable skill for school projects, future careers, and even personal events.

Lesson notes

A. What is Desktop Publishing (DTP)?

Desktop Publishing refers to the use of computer software to design and create documents with complex layouts of text and graphics for printing or digital viewing. Key Difference from Word Processing: Word Processing (e.g., MS Word): Primarily focused on creating and editing text in a linear, page-by-page flow. It's excellent for letters, reports, and essays. DTP (e.g., MS Publisher, Canva): Focused on page layout and design. It gives you precise control over where you place text, images, and other objects on the page. It works with *frames* or *objects* that you can move around freely. Think of it as a digital drawing board. B. Essential DTP Tools (Using MS Publisher as an example)

We will explore the core tools mentioned in our indicator. Most DTP software will have similar tools, even if the buttons are in slightly different places. Text Boxes What it is: A container or a box that holds text. Unlike in a word processor where you just type on the page, in DTP, almost all text lives inside a text box. This allows you to place text anywhere on the page. How to Insert and Format: Open MS Publisher and choose a blank page. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon. In the *Text* group, click on Draw Text Box. Your cursor will change to a crosshair (+). Click and drag on the page to draw a box of the desired size. Release the mouse button. You can now type your text directly into the box. To Format: Click on the text box. A new tab called Format (under Text Box Tools) will appear. Here you can: Change the Shape Fill (background colour of the box). Change the Shape Outline (colour and thickness of the border). Change the font, size, and colour of the text inside using the Home tab, just like in MS Word. Pictures and Picture Frames What they are: Pictures are digital images (e.g., JPG, PNG) that make a publication lively. Picture Frames are decorative borders you can place around your pictures. How to Insert a Picture: Go to the Insert tab. In the *Illustrations* group, click Pictures (to use a photo saved on your computer) or Online Pictures (to search the internet). Navigate to your picture, select it, and click Insert. The picture will appear on your page. You can click and drag it to move it, or drag the corners to resize it. How to Add a Picture Frame/Border: Click on the inserted picture to select it. A new tab called Format (under Picture Tools) will appear. In the *Picture Styles* group, you will see a gallery of pre-designed frames. Click one to apply it. Alternatively, use the Picture Border button to choose a custom colour, weight (thickness), and style (e.g., dashed line) for the border. WordArt What it is: A tool for creating stylish, decorative text. It's perfect for headlines and titles that need to grab attention. How to Insert and Format: Go to the Insert tab. In the *Text* group, click on WordArt. A gallery of styles will appear. Choose one that you like. A dialog box will pop up. Type your desired text (e.g., "Welcome!") and click OK. The WordArt object will appear on your page. You can move and resize it like a picture. To Format: Click on the WordArt. The Format (under Drawing Tools) tab will appear. Here you can change the Shape Fill (the colour inside the letters) and Shape Outline (the border of the letters). Tables What it is: A grid of rows and columns used to organise information neatly. It's perfect for price lists, schedules, or contact lists. How to Insert and Format: Go to the Insert tab. In the *Tables* group, click the Table button. A grid will appear. Move your mouse over the grid to select the number of rows and columns you need (e.g., 3x4 for 3 columns and 4 rows). Click, and the table will be inserted onto your page. Click inside any cell to type your information. To Format: Click anywhere on the table. New tabs, Design and Layout (under Table Tools), will appear. Use the Design tab to choose a pre-set table style, change cell colours (shading), and modify borders. Use the Layout tab to insert or delete rows/columns and align the text within the cells (e.g., centre, left, right).

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Evaluation guide

• Utilise basic tools in desktop publishing to add pictures, text boxes,
• tables, word art, and picture frames to a publication.
• ● Engage in discussions to understAND and explore the basic tools used in desktop
• publishing, such as text boxes, tables, word art, and picture frames.