Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 3
INTRODUCTION TO DESKTOP PUBLISHING
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INTRODUCTION TO DESKTOP PUBLISHING
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Subject: Computing
Class: JHS 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 13
Grade code: B9.2.3.1.1
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: B9.2.3.1
Indicator code: B9.2.3.1.1
Theme: PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE
Subtheme: INTRODUCTION TO DESKTOP PUBLISHING
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This lesson introduces learners to the exciting world of Desktop Publishing (DTP). We see DTP all around us in Ghana – from the colourful posters for church harvest festivals and the flyers for a new barbering shop, to the school's speech and prize-giving day programme and even funeral announcements. DTP is the skill of using a computer to arrange text and images to create professional-looking documents that are attractive and easy to read. Mastering this skill empowers learners to communicate ideas visually, a valuable tool for school projects, future careers, and even starting a small business.
A. What is Desktop Publishing (DTP)? Desktop Publishing is the process of using computer software to create documents with a complex layout of text and graphics. The goal is to produce materials that are visually appealing and professionally formatted for printing or digital display. Think of it as being a graphic designer on your computer. Example: When you create a beautiful invitation card for your birthday party with pictures, fancy text, and a border, you are doing desktop publishing. B. DTP vs. Word Processing: What's the Difference? Many learners are familiar with Microsoft Word, which is a word processor. While you can do some design in Word, DTP software is much more powerful for layout. The main difference is control.
| Feature | Word Processor (e.g., MS Word) | Desktop Publishing Software (e.g., MS Publisher, Canva) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Primary Focus | Text creation and editing. It is designed for writing letters, reports, and essays. | Page layout and design. It is designed for arranging elements on a page. | | How it Works | You type directly onto the page, like a continuous stream of text. | You place everything in frames or boxes (text boxes, picture frames). | | Control | Less precise control over where text and images go. They often shift unexpectedly. | Very precise control. You can place a box anywhere on the page, down to the millimetre. | | Best For | School reports, letters, long text documents. | Flyers, newsletters, brochures, magazines, invitation cards, posters. | C. Key Features and Terminology in DTP Page Layout: This is the overall arrangement of text, images, and other objects on the page. A good layout guides the reader's eye and makes the information easy to understand. Text Box: This is a container or frame that holds text. In DTP, all your text lives inside text boxes. You can move them, resize them, and even link them together. You do not type directly on the page. Image Frame (or Picture Frame): This is a container that holds your images or graphics. Like text boxes, you can place them anywhere on the page and resize them. Text Wrapping: This feature controls how text flows around an image or object. Square/Tight: Text flows closely around the shape of the image. Top and Bottom: Text stops above the image and continues below it. None: The image sits on top of the text, blocking it. Text Overflow and Linking Text Boxes: This is a very important DTP skill, especially for multi-page documents like newsletters or storybooks. What is it? When you have more text than can fit in a single text box, it creates an "overflow". The extra text is hidden. How to solve it? You can link the first text box to another text box (on the same page or a different page). The overflowing text will then automatically "pour" into the second box.
Step-by-step example of linking text boxes in MS Publisher: Step 1: Create your first text box and paste or type a long piece of text. You will see a small box with three dots (...) at the bottom, indicating there is more text (overflow). Step 2: Click on the first text box to select it. The "Text Box Tools" tab will appear. Step 3: Click the "Create Link" button in the "Linking" group. Your mouse cursor will change into a pouring pitcher icon. Step 4: Move to another page or another part of the same page. Click on an empty text box or click and drag to create a new text box. Step 5: The overflow text from the first box will instantly flow into the new, linked box. Now, if you add or remove text from the first box, the second one will update automatically.
Guided Practice (With Solutions) Question 1: Creating a Basic Welcome Poster Task: Design a simple one-page "Welcome to JHS 3" poster for your classroom notice board. It must include: A large headline in a text box. A smaller text box with a motivational quote. One image (e.g., the school's crest or a picture of books).