New OTRP Resource: Using the Drawing and Animation Tools in PowerPoint® to Build Your Own Visual Perception Demonstrations (2010)

Kenith V. Sobel of the University of Central Arkansas has provided detailed instructions for using the drawing and animation tools in Microsoft PowerPoint® to create three perception demonstrations: simultaneous contrast, the Kanizsa triangle, and structure from motion. He explains the rationale for this resource in his abstract:


 

Although innumerable computer-based visual demonstrations are available to enhance the teaching of perceptual concepts, quite often a demonstration that worked flawlessly on an office computer will break down when ported to the classroom. In contrast, Microsoft's presentation graphics program PowerPoint® is a familiar and reliable tool for creating and presenting one's own color images and animated text and graphics. Here I describe the drawing and animation tools in PowerPoint that may be unfamiliar even to the experienced user and how to use them to make three well-known perceptual demonstrations. All three can profitably be used with introductory as well as advanced students and even to illustrate general principles of how we see the world. Creating the demonstrations described here can form the basis for making your own collection.


 

In addition to the step-by-step instructions, Sobel included screen shots and drawn figures that illustrate intermediate products of the process. You can access the resource under the "sensation and perception" tab at http://teachpsych.org/otrp/resources/resources.php?category=Sensation