1 Visual Aids for Computer Training CIRCA Operations Training Program

2 Objectives Identify your audience. Explain the advantages of visual aids. Describe basic guidelines. Give some tips for: –Slides. –A good design. –Slide presentation.

3 Identifying Audiences Different types of audiences: Specialist audience: –Difficult Non-specialist audience.

4 Advantages of Visual Aids Visual aids make presentations: Better. Clearer. Interesting. Easy to follow. Easy to comprehend Organized.

5 Advantages of Visual Aids Increases retention. Reinforces ideas presented. Easy presentation of data. Summarizes data by using charts. Highlights the main points. Keeps the speaker on track.

6 Visual Aid Comparison MediumProsCons Slide Expensive Transparencies Cheaper Portable Can write on them Flip Charts Better for small groups Computers/ Multimedia Professional looking Adaptable Can be distracting Handouts Everyone can follow Easily produced

7 Basic Guidelines Simplicity, clarity, and legibility: –No more than seven points per visual aid. –No more than seven words per sentence. –Letters need to be seen from distance. Consistency and support: –Speech and slides must match. –A slide for each main point. –Keep a consistent font, design, background. –Use of the black screen.

8 Words Must be Readable Viewing distanceMain HeadingsSubordinate Text 5 m (16 ft.)2.5 cm (1 in.)1.25 cm (0.5 in.) 10 m (32 ft.)5.0 cm (2 in.)2.5 cm (1 in.) 15 m (48 ft.)7.5 cm (3 in.)5.0 cm (2 in.)

9 Basic Guidelines - Continued Duration: –Only provide new and relevant information. Referencing: –Do not call unnecessary attention to visual aid. –Referencing only when it is necessary. –Referencing becomes repetitive. –Referencing is annoying to the audience.

10 Slides No more than three colors. Dark background with light text. No more than three type of fonts. Never use pictures of poor quality

11 Slides - Continued Highlight the main points by underlining or boldfacing them. Use capital and lowercase letters. San Serif fonts are acceptable. Consider using a bulleted list.

12 Handouts Leave out jargon. Number the pages. Don’t read the information. Include your name. Include your contact information. Distribute them all at once. Have enough.

13 Tips for a Good Design The design must be: Relevant: –Choose the right chart. Conceptually clear: –Concepts and definitions should be clearly stated. Technically clear: –Informative title. –Appropriate headings and labels. –Enough white space. Truthful.

14 Bad Design

15 Better Design

16 Bad Lettering TIPS ON USING VISUAL AIDS Better Lettering Tips on Using Visual Aids

17 Tips for Slide Presentations Label and clean each slide. Arrive on time to prepare the room. First slide should be in focus. Turning on/off lights. Avoid showing a white screen. Do not announce each slide. Hide remote control.