Big thanks to Christi Boggs for blogging my session.
We are concerned that the information presented is not being retained. We want to make sure that they get the information that we spent so much time creating.
We’re here to figure out how to use Powerpoint to do a better job of presenting our ideas.
Walked out of two presentations at the last conference and they were both given by presenters in Higher Education.
How to make memorable presentations:
Science:
- Education creates research on how memory works and business soaks it up but we (education) ignore it.
- Most viewers only remember bits and pieces of information form any presentation.
- Working memory can only process 3-4 bits of new information at any one time. If we attach new ideas to existing memories we will remember more. Tell good stories to connect to people – Stan has done this great!
- Working memory can’t do much at one time. Most of the time we overload people with information in Powerpoint.
- We bring information in on two channels: Verbal & Visual
- Images, photos, charts, graphs, etc. are processed through the visual channel.
- Your mind does a great job in mapping visual information.
- Narration is processed through the verbal channel.
- Problem with bullet points: bring in text visually and then making them remember verbal. There is a collision! It is easiest to create animated bullet points in Powerpoint which is the most important.
- We want to guide people through ideas – focus on one idea per slide. It’s easy to digest!
The idea of a presentation is to make it easier for the learner to learn – not to help the instructor. It’s supposed to support learning.
Stan presenting on presenting
How to use it well:
- Give them entire sentences – the human mind likes these!
- Use simple graphics to relate to the specific point at hand- it can be hard but it’s possible! Take the time, it’s worth it.
- When creating a presentation don’t start with Powerpoint. Start with Word/outline/template
- Call to action – why is the audience there?
- The structure of the presentation: Key Point (5 minutes), Explanation (15 min), Detail (45 min)
- Don’t put the information ON the slide, this is what I’m going to talk about it! Associate information you want to talk about with a good graphic.
To do this:
- Start with brainstorming – template
- Select all from the template and copy
- New Document and Paste Special as unformatted text.
- Delete parts of the Word Document that are not helpful/useful – If you are Stan you write a macro to do this 😉
- End up with every item on its own line.
- Open Powerpoint, choose Template in PPT
- ‘New Slide’ find the option to add a slide from an outline and choose the Word Document you created.
- Organize slides and apply the appropriate template (Title, bullet, etc.) to each slide.
- Add notes to slides. You can create notes from this and you can also use presentation mode to see your notes during the presentation.
- Choose the right visual elements to put on your slides. Figure out what you want on your slide and then look for something that will work. Shutterstock, Flickr images, Creative Commons – Take your own photos and keep your own library!
- Trying to make a point and drive it home with the visuals.
- Done!
Delivery:
- Step into the screen – organize your space. Don’t split the audience’s attention between the screen and yourself.
- Put your computer in front of you so you can talk to the audience, not the slide.
- Use a remote to change your slides.
- Remove as many distractions as possible to make your presentation transparent.
- Keep the slides SIMPLE! Don’t cloud your presentation with extraneous information.
- Make sure the environment is good and works. Have multiple backup plans. Plan for problems that might arise.
- Practice, practice, practice! If you follow the path you look at it 5 times before you even practice live!
- Three elements: headline, graphic, your voice.
- Encourage and acknowledge the backchannel – notes, tweets, etc! Add the backchannel info to your introduction slide. Incorporate tweet breaks. It can also provide feedback so you can improve.
References:
Beyond bullet points: Cliff Atkinson
Visual Literacy: Lynell Burnmark
The Backchannel: Cliff Atkinson
