Large Group Teaching: How to Give a Presentation Debra Bynum, MD Division of Geriatric Medicine 2010

A Presentation on How to Give a Presentation… Kramer’s Coffee Table Book about Coffee Tables…

“The successful teacher is no longer on a height, pumping knowledge at high pressure into passive receptacles… he is a senior student anxious to help his juniors.” William Osler ( )

Goal Each person will evaluate their “lecturing” and presentation style and make a plan for improvement What will you stop doing? What will you continue doing? What will you consider adding?

Goal…Prevent Procrastination

Goal… Prevent Stress

Outline Big Picture: Why? How to organize a presentation Power point nuts and bolts Preparation Delivery How to handle questions Emergencies Feedback

Key Points…. Presentations continue to be important in large group teaching Keep presentations simple, focus on key points Keep slides simple Summarize, summarize, summarize Be prepared

Background Lecture: “oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject” “Lecture”: “action of reading”

Big Picture: Why? What are the downsides to giving a lecture? Why continue to give lectures?

Why? Transmit information Answer questions Generate interest Create questions Human touch

How to organize your presentation… 1. Have your goal in mind 2. Focus on 3-5 Main Points 3. Answer “who cares” 4. Use small stories/case studies 5. Follow your outline 6. Summarize and use key words

How to Organize: Marketing “Succes” Simple Unexpected Concrete Credentialed Emotional Story

Simple Focus on 3-5 Main Points Come back to the Main Points, summarize Add to knowledge

Unexpected Build upon curiosity Focus on “what questions do I want them to ask”

Concrete Build upon knowledge and existing schema Enduring points based upon examples, cases, stories, proverbs Put abstract ideas into context Invite people to the table

Credible Provide enough details and background

Emotional Generate “caring” Self interest (why should I learn this…) Create a mission

Story Mental simulations Use the small story to illustrate a big point (when you see this, think of ….)

The Anatomy of a Presentation Opening: consider eye catcher Goals Outline Content slides Pauses Summary and Take Home Points Questions References

Anatomy of presentation: eye catcher Does not have to be funny… don’t do funny if you are not funny Try to be creative, create questions, set stage (can be a case, a story….)

Anatomy of a Presentation: Goals Just a few and keep them simple

Anatomy: Outline Simple bullet points Follow the outline, use it as structure

Anatomy: Content slides Keep slides simple, bullet points Never have to apologize for a “busy” slide…. Attention Span declines after minutes: Break it up every minutes Pauses 2 minute pauses three times during the course of a lecture has been shown to increase retention…

Delivering Content Interactive Lecturing Techniques Asking questions of audience Audience response systems Using “multimedia” Using handouts (not just a copy of the slides…)

Anatomy: Summary and Take Home Points Keep simple Take Home Points should relate to overall goals of presentation This is not the time to introduce new material

Anatomy: Finale Questions References Can include abbreviated reference on a specific slide with a quote or significant data Include more inclusive list of references at end of presentation, handout

Shift and Pause…

Power Point Tips Fonts Non-serifed fonts Easier to read on screen/computer/web arial Serifed Fonts Used in text More formal Easier to read on paper Times New Roman

Fonts Stick to simple Consider bold (as long as readable) Optimum type size for text = 24 points - 32 points (this is 32…) Minimum usable type: 16 points, otherwise not readable…. DON’T SCREAM – AVOID ALL CAPITAL LETTERS UNLESS TRYING TO EMPHASIZE A POINT !!!!!!!!!!

Power Point: Backgrounds… Keep it simple… Keep focus on topic, not slides Colors Dark letters on light background works best Avoid distracting pictures/design backgrounds Avoid using red/green colors together

Backgrounds Keep it simple… Keep focus on topic, not slides Colors Dark letters on light background works best Avoid distracting pictures/design backgrounds Avoid using red/green colors together or in contrasting areas

Power Point: Action Keep animations simple – use when needed to make a point Avoid use in every slide…. It gets very very Very very Very very annoying….

Power Points: Charts Please see handout Avoid just copying very busy charts out of articles

Review Your Slides… This type of slide, where everything you have to say is exactly on the screen, with all the words all put together into a long, run on sentence, and then into a long, run on paragraph, is very very hard to read and not at all helpful… review your slides, delete all that is not absolutely needed, space out bullet points, and add more details to the note section of power point….

Review Your Slides… Go through slides several times Add spacing Bold when needed Avoid run on sentences, paragraphs Keep to bullet points Use the Notes if needed…

Another Transition and a Break…

Preparation Clean up your slides Practice, practice, practice Know your equipment Get there early Prepare your “delivery” Have a back up plan

Preparation Plan to talk for LESS than allotted time (no more than 45 minutes) Practice and time your presentation Allow plenty of time for questions

Delivery : Have a Plan… Equipment Microphone, slides, how you will advance Speaking (avoid umms, likes….), pauses Hands : not too little, not too much Eye contact Stance Will you stand behind the podium or walk? Consider microphone, slides, ?videoconference

How to Handle Questions Practice and “pilot” presentation Anticipate questions (consider slides at end) Repeat the Question Important so that all audience hears the Question Gives you time to think if needed… Reflect it back to the audience – what do you think of …. Ok to say “I don’t know, that is an excellent question”

Emergencies Prepare for the worse Have a Back up plan Keep hard copy of slides/handouts presentation to yourself presentation to conference center Arrive early, set up equipment, identify problems early

Feedback Get feedback on your presentation View video of yourself giving presentation (very helpful for hands, speaking style, extra words…) Ask colleagues for evaluation/feedback Ask audience at end for feedback ?

Summary : Key Points Presentations continue to be important in teaching large groups Keep presentations simple and focus on key points Keep slides simple Summarize, summarize, summarize Be prepared

Questions ?