Use Presentation Software...But Use It Well

Posted on January 03, 2016

The following is a sample chapter from my upcoming free e-Book 11 Ways To Engage Students Using Technology:

CHAPTER 6:
Use Presentation Software...But Use It Well.

When teaching a large group of students, leaders often create visual presentations like PowerPoint® to reinforce their message. Unfortunately, many are done poorly. When your PowerPoint is just your outline on the screen, you have unwittingly created a serious problem for your audience: two communicators on stage. Now your audience must decide which one is more important: the person talking or the notes on the screen. Many times, they will quickly read through your notes, think they understand what you’re saying and tune you out.

Here are three tips to create better visual presentations:

• Use a handful of slides – Don’t go overboard! Stick to 10 slides or less for a 30-minute presentation. The sheer volume of slides flashing on a screen will distract students, not engage them.

• Use phrases, not sentences – While words on the screen can reinforce your point, condense what you are saying to a memorable word or phrase. This technique will encourage memory while limiting distractions.

• Use meaningful pictures – Use a simple picture without words to create an atmosphere (like a beach, forest, or historical location). Or use pictures to create a visual metaphor (like a car engine, surfer, or ants working). These pictures should help your students understand the place or metaphor without being a distraction.

For more information about this upcoming free e-Book 11 Ways To Engage Students Using Technology, check out:
https://awanaym.org/blog/11-wa...