Presentations

toc teaching and learning = = =Presentations = Suggestions about presentations are split into three sections (the links take you to more detail): To lecture or not to lecture... (that is the question) Structured presentations are more effective Better slides increase your impact multimedia learning

**"Using PowerPoint is like having a loaded AK-47 on the table: You can do very bad things with it."** Peter Norvig

Dionysius of Halicarnassus
 * Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent. **

[|video on lecturing and the millenial generation]

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Presentations that stick media type="youtube" key="8x70zw2tq9Y?version=3" height="288" width="511"

To lecture or not to lecture
**If you are tempted to use a lecture solely to transfer low order information, think again and ask yourself if the learners' time would be better spent reading the relevant material on their own.** Always consider whether a lecture/presentation is the best way of meeting the learners' outcomes. If it is not then try to find a better alternative. If you do have to use the lecture/presentation format, though, then there is no rule that says that some "small group methods" that increase interactivity cannot be included.

media type="youtube" key="1nYFpuc2Umk?fs=1" height="390" width="640" [|lectures - pros and cons]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Structured presentations are more effective
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">When planning a presentation turn off your computer and get out a pencil and paper - this will help you think more about what you want to achieve and be less constrained by the software.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The components of a presentation must all be consistent with its overall aim.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">As with most things, planning will enhance the effectiveness of your presentation. The standard teaching framework of set, dialogue & closure can be used.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Share your structure with the learners and they will follow you better. Exlpain where you are within the structure, when you're moving from one part to another and emphasise key points and they will be with you all the way.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Better slides increase your impact
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">(but you do not have to use any slides at all)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A common error is to start preparing a preparation at the computer with Powerpoint (or similar) open. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Start with a pen and paper and sketch out the main points of your presentation <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">One you are clear about what message you want to convey to the audience you will be able to design the overall structure of the presentation and of individual slides <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">The slides must support the message not the other way round

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">(and yes, this does repeat the last section, but this is so important - and so often done badly or not at all - that it deservies to be repeated!)

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Prezi
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">As alternative to traditional "slide" software, you may find Prezi useful (accessed at prezi.com).

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">As an illustration of how well this works see [|here]

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**"PowerPoint presentations too often resemble a school play - very loud, very slow, and very simple."** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Edward Tufte

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Links about Powerpoint
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Using PowerPoint (from Beyond Bullet Points book) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Organising a presentation (from Beyond Bullet Points book) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Tips for using Powerpoint] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> [|Giving an oral presentation] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Presentation graphics] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> [|Giving a lecture] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Giving a talk Giving a Talk.doc <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Secrets of a successful lecture: teaching 3.pdf <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> [|PowerPoint & education] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> [|10-20-30 rule for PowerPoint] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> [|How to give a bad presentation] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> [|5 ways to prevent powerpoint overload]

**Recommended Books**
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|The Naked Presenter] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Beyond Bullet Points] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Presentation Zen] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Presentation Zen Design]