Effective Presentations

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Outline Introduction Getting prepared The Presentation Sequence Technical Details – Big, Simple, Clear, Progressive, Consistent Summary

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Definitions Presentation “ Something set forth to an audience for the attention of the mind “ Effective “ …producing a desired result ” Why Give A Presentation? Inform Persuade Educate

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Fear Shaky hands, blushing cheeks, memory loss, nausea, and knocking knees… NORMAL! Causes of the Anxiety – Fear of the unknown OR loss of control – No backup plan – No enthusiasm for subject – Focus of attention

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Control anxiety – Don ’ t fight it Audience centered Accomplishes objective Fun for audience Fun for you Conducted within time frame

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Planning Your Presentation 1. Determine purpose – What do you want to accomplish? 2. Know your audience !!! – Success depends on your ability to reach your audience – Size – Demographics – Knowledge level – Motivation – Why are they attending? – What do THEY expect?

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations More Planning 3. Plan Space – Number of attendees and seats – Seating arrangement – Lighting, and lighting controls – Audio/Visual equipment – Distracters 4. Organization – Determine main points (1-5) – Evidence – Transitions – Prepare outline – Prepare a Storyboard

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Still More Planning 5. Rehearse…Rehearse…Rehearse!! – In the actual room if possible – Work to a script and time your presentation – Practice Q & A – Check equipment – load your slides in advance – Make contingency plans

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Don ’ t Forget The way you – Look – Talk is very important

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Vocal Techniques Loudness – Will you be using a microphone? Pitch – Vary to make points Rate – Watch your audience Pause for effect – Allow time for message to “ sink in ” Deviate from the norm for emphasis

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Body Language Make eye contact,…but move focus around the audience Use your hands,…but don ’ t go crazy If possible move around,…but slowly! Maintain good posture Make sure everyone can see you DON ’ T speak with your back to the audience

The Presentation Sequence

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations #1: Build Rapport … relation marked by harmony or affinity – Audience members need to trust you and feel that you care about them Start before you begin – Mingle; learn names – Opportunity to reinforce or correct audience assessment – Good first impression People listen to people they like

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations #2: Opening Your Presentation Introduce yourself – Why should they listen Get attention, build more rapport, introduce topic – Humor – Short story – Startling statistic – Make audience think – Invite participation Get audience response

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations #2…Completing the Opening Clearly defining topic If informative… – Clear parameters for content within time If persuasive… – What ’ s the problem – Who cares – What ’ s the solution Overview

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations #3: Presenting Main Points Make point-transition,…make point- transition,…make point-transition, etc… Supporting evidence Examples Feedback & questions from audience Attention to, and focus on, audience… are they listening?

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations #4 Concluding Your Presentation Goal Inform audience that you ’ re about to close Summarize main points –“ Tell ’ em What You Told ‘ em. ” Something to remember, or call-to-action Answer questions

Make It Big

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make it Big (Text) This is Arial 12 This is Arial 18 This is Arial 24 This is Arial 32 This is Arial 36 This is Arial 44

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make it Big (Text) This is Arial 12 This is Arial 18 This is Arial 24 This is Arial 32 This is Arial 36 This is Arial 44 Too Small

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Big (How to Estimate) Look at it from 2 m away 2 m

Keep It Simple

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Keep It Simple (Text) Too many colors Too Too Many Fonts and Styles The 6 x 7 rule – No more than 6 lines per slide – No more than 7 words per line

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Keep It Simple (Text) Instructional Technology: A complex integrated process involving people, procedures, ideas, devices, and organization, for analyzing problems and devising, implementing, evaluating, and managing solutions to those problems in situations in which learning is purposive and controlled (HMRS 5th ed.) Too detailed !

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Keep It Simple (Text) A process involving people, procedures & tools for solutions to problems in learning (HMRS 5th ed.) Instructional Technology: Much Simpler

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Falling Leaves Observed ChristchurchDunedinWellington January11,532,23414,123,6543,034,564 February1,078,45612,345,56716,128,234 March17,234,7786,567,12316,034,786 April16,098,89710,870,9547,940,096 May8,036,89710,345,39414,856,456 June16,184,345678,0954,123,656 July8,890,34515,347,93418,885,786 August8,674,23418,107,11017,230,095 September4,032,04518,923,2399,950,498 October2,608,0969,945,8905,596,096 November5,864,034478,0236,678,125 December12,234,1239,532,1113,045,654 Too detailed !

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Falling Leaves in Millions In 10 6 ChristchurchDunedinWellington January11143 February11216 March17616 April16107 May81014 June1604 July81518 August81817 September4189 October295 November506 December1293 Much Simpler

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Falling Leaves Too detailed !

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Falling Leaves Much Simpler

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Keep It Simple (Picture) Art work may distract your audience Artistry does not substitute for content

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Keep It Simple (Sound) Sound effects may distract too Use sound only when necessary

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Keep It Simple (Transition) This transition is annoying, not enhancing "Appear" and "Disappear" are better

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Keep It Simple (Animation) 2 m Too distracting !

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Keep It Simple (Animation) 7 ft Simple & to the point

Make It Clear

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Capitalisation) ALL CAPITAL LETTERS ARE DIFFICULT TO READ Upper and lower case letters are easier

Make It Clear (Fonts) Sanserif Z Serif Z busy clear

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Fonts) Serif fonts are difficult to read on screen Sanserif fonts are clearer Italics are difficult to read on screen Normal or bold fonts are clearer Underlines may signify hyperlinks Instead, use colors to emphasise

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Numbers) Use numbers for lists with sequence For example: How to put an elephant into a fridge? 1. Open the door of the fridge 2. Put the elephant in 3. Close the door

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Bullets) Use bullets to show a list without Priority Sequence Hierarchy, …..

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Colors) Use contrasting colors Light on dark vs dark on light Use complementary colors

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Contrast) Use contrasting colors Light on dark vs dark on light Use complementary colors low contrasthigh contrast

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Contrast) Use contrasting colors Light on dark vs dark on light Use complementary colors This is light on dark

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Contrast) Use contrasting colors Light on dark vs dark on light Use complementary colors This is dark on light

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Complement) Use contrasting colors Light on dark vs dark on light Use complementary colors These colours do not complement

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Complement) Use contrasting colors Light on dark vs dark on light Use complementary colors These colours complement

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Size) Size implies importance

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Size) Size implies importance

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Focal Points) Focal points direct attention

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Make It Clear (Focal Points) Focal points direct attention

Be Progressive

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations DIFFRACTION What do you expect? Complete Shadow! NOPE!

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations DIFFRACTION

Complexity of Interactions Mode of Instruction IndividualPairGroup Direct Instruction Guided Inquiry Discovery Learning Individual Instructive Tools Individual Constructive Tools Social Constructive Tools Social Communicative Tools Informational Tools Types of Instructional Tools Too many in one go!

Complexity of Interactions Mode of Instruction IndividualPairGroup Direct Instruction Guided Inquiry Discovery Learning Individual Instructive Tools Individual Constructive Tools Social Constructive Tools Social Communicative Tools Informational Tools Types of Instructional Tools Progressive & thus focused

Be Consistent

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Be Consistent Differences draw attention Differences may imply importance Use surprises to attract not distract

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Be Consistent Differences draw attention Differences may imply importance Use surprises to attract not distract This tick draws attention

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Be Consistent Differences draw attention  Differences may imply importance oUse surprises to attract not distract These differences distract!

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Be Consistent Differences draw attention Differences may imply importance Use surprises to attract not distract This implies importance

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Be Consistent Differences draw attention Differences may imply importance Use surprises to attract not distract Confusing differences!

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Be Consistent Differences draw attention Differences may imply importance Use surprises to attract not distract This surprise attracts

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Be Consistent Differences draw attention Differences may imply importance Use surprises to attract not distract These distract!

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations In Summary Big Simple Clear Progressive Consistent

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Tips for Presenting Limit the number of slides – One slide per minute is the maximum * Practice moving between slides. Be prepared for technical difficulties Avoid the use of flashy transitions. This is TOO flashy!

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations Some Final Words Communication is the key Text to support the communication Pictures to simplify complex concepts Animations for complex relationships Visuals to support, not to distract Sounds only when absolutely necessary

Jan 13, 2012Effective Presentations QUESTIONS? THANK YOU