For my project I chose a How To presentation titled “How to make a no-sew blanket”. If I was teaching a class and every student had their own material to work with, they could follow along and create their own just by following my directions and the PowerPoint presentation that shows how to make it.
The multiple intelligences that are involved in this How To are:
1. Logical-mathematical – people need to know how big of a blanket they want to create to fit whatever they will be using the blanket to cover or lay on, and they also need to know how to measure so they know where to place the pins in order to cut.
2. Spatial – Once again you need to be able to judge how big you want the blanket taking into consideration that each side will be cut in strips and tied so realizing that you will be losing some of the solid coverage of the blanket needs to be thought about. Also, each strip that you cut is not marked out so being able to judge capably to make each strip equal is important.
3. Linguistic – My presentation had a few words on a slide and the rest of the directions were spoken by me. I also had a sample of what I was explaining so it was easy to understand what I was instructing.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic – Being able to place the material in the proper position and lay it out so the cutting can take place uses control of one’s body and this also deals with being able to cut with scissors.
The ADDIE process is shown in this presentation in the following ways:
1. Analysis – The goals and objectives are decided before and during the purchasing of the fleece used in the project. For example, do you want to make a pillow cover? Do you want to make a lap blanket? Or are you interested in making a blanket to cover a bed? Once defined, then the learning can begin.
2. Design Phase – the goal is to end up with finished fleece project best suited for the learner’s needs. There are specific ways to handle the material and these are shown in the PowerPoint and described by the teacher as the project is being talked about and mentally planned.
3. Development Phase - The material purchased is now taking shape according to the PowerPoint and the instructions given by the teacher.
4. Implementation Phase – The learners are creating a finished project step by step. Once completed the learner should be able to continue to make more of the same.
Andragogy is the act of learning strategies focused on adults. All of the above methods and steps are focused on adult learning. This is a project for adults due to the planning, purchasing, assembling, and tool usage. The way the project is explained is also in terms that suit an adult’s way of learning.
I used a gray background because I thought it made the photos stand out and also the lettering seemed to stand out better that way. I only used one line of typing and placed it at the top of each page. The rest of the instructions were verbal so as to keep the pages easy to follow and not have too much to read. People should not be reading the writing on the PowerPoint while I am explaining what to do next. I used photos that cover the rest of the slide so they are easy to be seen. I announced the last step so people have an idea that it is almost over. I also had a finished product to pass around so the learners could get a hands on idea of what I had just taught them.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Final Project
For my project I chose a How To presentation titled “How to make a no-sew blanket”. If I was teaching a class and every student had their own material to work with, they could follow along and create their own just by following my directions and the PowerPoint presentation that shows how to make it.
The multiple intelligences that are involved in this How To are:
1. Logical-mathematical – people need to know how big of a blanket they want to create to fit whatever they will be using the blanket to cover or lay on, and they also need to know how to measure so they know where to place the pins in order to cut.
2. Spatial – Once again you need to be able to judge how big you want the blanket taking into consideration that each side will be cut in strips and tied so realizing that you will be losing some of the solid coverage of the blanket needs to be thought about. Also, each strip that you cut is not marked out so being able to judge capably to make each strip equal is important.
3. Bodily-kinesthetic – Being able to place the material in the proper position and lay it out so the cutting can take place uses control of one’s body and this also deals with being able to cut with scissors.
The ADDIE process is shown in this presentation in the following ways:
1. Analysis – The goals and objectives are decided before and during the purchasing of the fleece used in the project. For example, do you want to make a pillow cover? Do you want to make a lap blanket? Or are you interested in making a blanket to cover a bed? Once defined, then the learning can begin.
2. Design Phase – the goal is to end up with finished fleece project best suited for the learner’s needs. There are specific ways to handle the material and these are shown in the PowerPoint and described by the teacher as the project is being talked about and mentally planned.
3. Development Phase - The material purchased is now taking shape according to the PowerPoint and the instructions given by the teacher.
4. Implementation Phase – The learners are creating a finished project step by step. Once completed the learner should be able to continue to make more of the same.
Andragogy is the act of learning strategies focused on adults. All of the above methods and steps are focused on adult learning. This is a project for adults due to the planning, purchasing, assembling, and tool usage. The way the project is explained is also in terms that suit an adult’s way of learning.
The multiple intelligences that are involved in this How To are:
1. Logical-mathematical – people need to know how big of a blanket they want to create to fit whatever they will be using the blanket to cover or lay on, and they also need to know how to measure so they know where to place the pins in order to cut.
2. Spatial – Once again you need to be able to judge how big you want the blanket taking into consideration that each side will be cut in strips and tied so realizing that you will be losing some of the solid coverage of the blanket needs to be thought about. Also, each strip that you cut is not marked out so being able to judge capably to make each strip equal is important.
3. Bodily-kinesthetic – Being able to place the material in the proper position and lay it out so the cutting can take place uses control of one’s body and this also deals with being able to cut with scissors.
The ADDIE process is shown in this presentation in the following ways:
1. Analysis – The goals and objectives are decided before and during the purchasing of the fleece used in the project. For example, do you want to make a pillow cover? Do you want to make a lap blanket? Or are you interested in making a blanket to cover a bed? Once defined, then the learning can begin.
2. Design Phase – the goal is to end up with finished fleece project best suited for the learner’s needs. There are specific ways to handle the material and these are shown in the PowerPoint and described by the teacher as the project is being talked about and mentally planned.
3. Development Phase - The material purchased is now taking shape according to the PowerPoint and the instructions given by the teacher.
4. Implementation Phase – The learners are creating a finished project step by step. Once completed the learner should be able to continue to make more of the same.
Andragogy is the act of learning strategies focused on adults. All of the above methods and steps are focused on adult learning. This is a project for adults due to the planning, purchasing, assembling, and tool usage. The way the project is explained is also in terms that suit an adult’s way of learning.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Chapter Six, The Presenter's Fieldbook
Chapter Six, The Presenter’s Fieldbook
To See Is to Retain
This chapter discusses using visuals for better retention and “PowerPoint is a visual medium as well” (Garmston). When visuals are used in a discussion, the rate of the effect was far greater than when not using visuals. Visuals enhance understanding and learning. Also a help are art and music when used in conjunction with visuals.
When using visuals it’s important to keep them simple. Most of us can recognize a simple form and understand the meaning without being told what it is. The book used an example of a clock where it was just a circle and had the two hands pointing to the time – it’s just as effective as a clock with numbers on it. You do need to take heed of where you are though and what may not be such a universal sign or you can find out what the audience is more used to seeing and use some of those signs.
One trick to printing on your chart in a straight line is to draw lightly with pencil beforehand. This way you don’t have to worry about how it will look and you can focus on your message. Mixed case lettering should be used as it is the easiest to read.
There may be some in the audience who are colorblind so using colors to print with is not a good idea. Black lettering on white is the standard and the easiest to read.
You can get free clipart for your use. There is something called ChartArt that is actually clipart that you can put under your pages and trace. It’s a way to look good for sure!
Garmston, Robert J., and Michael Buckley. The Presenter's Fieldbook: a Practical Guide. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon, 2005. Print.
To See Is to Retain
This chapter discusses using visuals for better retention and “PowerPoint is a visual medium as well” (Garmston). When visuals are used in a discussion, the rate of the effect was far greater than when not using visuals. Visuals enhance understanding and learning. Also a help are art and music when used in conjunction with visuals.
When using visuals it’s important to keep them simple. Most of us can recognize a simple form and understand the meaning without being told what it is. The book used an example of a clock where it was just a circle and had the two hands pointing to the time – it’s just as effective as a clock with numbers on it. You do need to take heed of where you are though and what may not be such a universal sign or you can find out what the audience is more used to seeing and use some of those signs.
One trick to printing on your chart in a straight line is to draw lightly with pencil beforehand. This way you don’t have to worry about how it will look and you can focus on your message. Mixed case lettering should be used as it is the easiest to read.
There may be some in the audience who are colorblind so using colors to print with is not a good idea. Black lettering on white is the standard and the easiest to read.
You can get free clipart for your use. There is something called ChartArt that is actually clipart that you can put under your pages and trace. It’s a way to look good for sure!
Garmston, Robert J., and Michael Buckley. The Presenter's Fieldbook: a Practical Guide. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon, 2005. Print.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Chapter Five, The Presenter's Fieldbook
Chapter Five, The Presenter’s Fieldbook
How to work with special situations
Music is a nice touch when it’s the right kind of music for the situation. You can play welcoming music, opening music, break music, transition music, and closing music. The energy in the music should convey itself to the crowd.
The way you look, and remember that all eyes will be on you, makes a huge statement about your credibility. “Dressing up” is the way to go. Always dress to impress from your head to your feet.
Although you may be nervous when you first start speaking, speak slowly so as not to appear nervous. Take three deep breaths before you begin speaking also.
Practice your speech over and over again before your presentation. You can write notes on what you will be saying. Keep the notes simple with just enough written on them to jog your memory so you know what you are supposed to be saying. Mentally rehearsing is said to be a great way to get ready. You close your eyes and picture yourself getting ready to present.
The book also mentions how to act, or how not to act, in diverse situations. Choose your words wisely and think before you speak.
Co-presenting sounds like a great way to go. As a presenting team, one can rescue the other in a tough situation. There is more diversity during co-presenting also. One presenter can be monitoring the reaction of the audience also and help guide the presentation in the best way to move forward.
How to work with special situations
Music is a nice touch when it’s the right kind of music for the situation. You can play welcoming music, opening music, break music, transition music, and closing music. The energy in the music should convey itself to the crowd.
The way you look, and remember that all eyes will be on you, makes a huge statement about your credibility. “Dressing up” is the way to go. Always dress to impress from your head to your feet.
Although you may be nervous when you first start speaking, speak slowly so as not to appear nervous. Take three deep breaths before you begin speaking also.
Practice your speech over and over again before your presentation. You can write notes on what you will be saying. Keep the notes simple with just enough written on them to jog your memory so you know what you are supposed to be saying. Mentally rehearsing is said to be a great way to get ready. You close your eyes and picture yourself getting ready to present.
The book also mentions how to act, or how not to act, in diverse situations. Choose your words wisely and think before you speak.
Co-presenting sounds like a great way to go. As a presenting team, one can rescue the other in a tough situation. There is more diversity during co-presenting also. One presenter can be monitoring the reaction of the audience also and help guide the presentation in the best way to move forward.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Three Presentations
I wanted three presentations/talks on www.ted.com and I purposely chose three different types so I could compare them. One was informative, one was inspirational, and one was jaw dropping. The first one, the informational talk was by Daniel Wolpert: The Real Reason for Brains. Wolpert stood front stage during his talk with a screen behind and above him. He used visuals to enhance his speech and he added bits of easy humor.
The second talk was by Matt Cutts: Try Something New For 30 Days. Cutts talk was about the same as the previous one although he also added examples for clarity.
The third talk was Arthur Benjamin Does Mathemagic. This was my favorite not only due to the manner in which it was presented but also the content. Benjamin was very animated and moved across the stage engaging the audience with his “wow” factor of mathemagic. He used humor effortlessly and it was clear that he has performed in this manner often. He announced when he would be wrapping up, which is recommended when presenting.
The second talk was by Matt Cutts: Try Something New For 30 Days. Cutts talk was about the same as the previous one although he also added examples for clarity.
The third talk was Arthur Benjamin Does Mathemagic. This was my favorite not only due to the manner in which it was presented but also the content. Benjamin was very animated and moved across the stage engaging the audience with his “wow” factor of mathemagic. He used humor effortlessly and it was clear that he has performed in this manner often. He announced when he would be wrapping up, which is recommended when presenting.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Presentation Zen, Chapters 7-10
High quality graphics are a must to have in your presentation and make sure they are clear visions of the message you are trying to convey. Something that is not an easy task but must be achieved is the “art of mindfulness” (Reynolds). This means that you need to put yourself in the here and now and only focus on what you are doing at this minute.
Audiences can tell when your heart and soul are not in your presentation. If you are preoccupied, you will lose them. “Just telling someone to yell doesn’t solve the problem of projection. Similarly, just speaking louder doesn’t create a powerful voice” (Six minutes).
You cannot worry about your presentation and how it is coming along, only about how you are making a contribution to the audience. “Every presentation needs two major components -- life and energy” (About.com).
A great line in Reynolds book, Presentation Zen, is “Only through mistakes can you see where you’re lacking…” If you make a mistake, keep on moving forward and worry about it later! “Don't sweat minor mishaps” (BusinessWeek). A good presentation is about the message, not about you. Practice your presentation until you’ve got it as good as you can possibly get it before presenting.
Ending before the time set for your closing has never been a bad thing. According to The Presentation Coaching Institute, “The final words you say will be the most remembered”.
"Deliver a Business Presentation - 12 Tips for Delivering an Knockout Business Presentation." How to Use PowerPoint - Business Presentations - Free PowerPoint Tutorials - Use Presentation Software. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointinbusiness/p/bus_delivery.htm>.
"Deliver a Presentation like Steve Jobs - BusinessWeek." Businessweek - Business News, Stock Market & Financial Advice. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb20080125_269732_page_2.htm>.
"Delivery Techniques | Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Articles." Six Minutes: Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Blog. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/category/delivery-techniques/>.
Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders, 2008. Print.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Assignment Five, The Presenter's Fieldbook
Chapter Three
Chapter Three is all about how to deliver presentations. It boils down to making sure you know your audience. “Find out who will be in the audience and tailor your presentation directly to them” (Gregory). The openings of a presentation are very important as they build rapport between you and them. For the first few minutes of your presentation, it’s a good idea to stand still and let the audience “measure” you. They are there to learn from you so it’s important to earn their respect also.
Some groups are energy-less and others are too full of energy. It’s important to know which your audience is displaying. It may be that they don’t want to be there so you need to work with that. Humor is a great tool if used correctly. Sometimes it comes from the audience and helps to loosen everyone up. “Humor clears the mind and opens the brain to higher levels of thinking” (Garmston). Humor can happen before, during, and after the opening.
A lot of the things mentioned in the book are common sense things like speaking slowly and enunciating. It’s also important to keep the momentum going. Keeping in touch with your audience will let you know how this is working. Another good point that I did not see mentioned in Garmston’s book but should go without saying is, “to earn and maintain the respect of your audience, always check the spelling and grammar in your presentation” (.
Unclear directions can make a person feel stupid. This just happened to me on election day. I had not used the paper ballot and was not sure how to proceed. The first guy told me the directions in a few words but it made no sense to me. The second man retold them step by step and I knew just what to do. As I was walking away, the first man said to the second man, “isn’t that what I just said?” I wanted to go back and tell him that it was not! Visual directions can help with this also.
After a break or lunch, the audience may start to slow down in their attention to you. This can be taken care of with humor, movement, or having partners begin an activity.
When closing, do NOT summarize. Talk about how what they’ve just learned is going to be put to good use. Closing early is another good tactic and lets participants have time to “sort and store” (Garmston). When you do close, do not throw anything else in there to throw the audience off track of what you wanted them to think about.
And something that we can take from Steve Jobs, “A Steve Jobs presentation looks effortless because it is well-rehearsed”. The article said he would rehearse his speeches for several hours (Gallo). “Your posture should communicate confidence and calmness” (The Wisconsin Experience).
Chapter Four
Something that I had not thought about is pointed out by Garmston, that blind children gesture while speaking to someone. He states that “gesture is part of speech, inseparable from the spoken word”. When presenting, not only are your words making an impact with the audience, but your “voice, body, breathing, and gestures” also add to the meaning (Garmston). Where you stand in the room also makes an impact on what you are saying. A study has also shown that when teachers gesture, their students remember more.
"Delivering Your Presentation at the Undergraduate Symposium." The Wisconsin Experience. Web. 12 Nov. 2011. <http://www.learning.wisc.edu/ugsymposium/delivery.html>.
Gallo, Carmine. "Deliver a Presentation like Steve Jobs - BusinessWeek." Businessweek - Business News, Stock Market & Financial Advice. 25 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Nov. 2011. <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb20080125_269732_page_2.htm>.
Garmston, Robert. The Presenter's Fieldbook: A Practical Guide. Christopher-Gordon Publishers: Norwood, Massachusetts, 2005. Print.
Gregory, Alyssa. "18 Tips for Delivering a Memorable Presentation » SitePoint." SitePoint » Web Design, Web Development, Freelancing, Tech News and More. 19 Jan. 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2011. <http://www.sitepoint.com/presentation-tips/>.
"Tips for Creating and Delivering an Effective Presentation - PowerPoint - Office.com." Office - Office.com. Web. 12 Nov. 2011. <http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/powerpoint-help/tips-for-creating-and-delivering-an-effective-presentation-HA010207864.aspx>.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Gates versus Jobs
Until reading what I've read so far in the book, Presentation Zen, by Garr Reynolds, I had never given any thought to what makes a great presentation versus what does not. The examples shown in the book make it so obvious when pointing out all the factors that need to be included (or mostly excluded) to make it easier to follow and to stand out. And what makes it stand out is usually less - less equals more. The article, Gates, Jobs & the Zen Aesthetic, does a great job in comparing Bill Gates to Steve Jobs and their way of presenting. Bill Gates feels the need to show all that is being discussed on his slides. It's very busy and the audience is focusing on the slide instead of on Mr. Gates. Steve Jobs does the complete opposite and has all attention on himself with a blank or barely blank slide.
Assignment Five, Zen
Chapter 4
What makes messages stick?
There are six principles which spell SUCCESS
S = simplicity – stick with the key point
U = unexpectedness – tell them something you think they don’t know by asking a question and then giving them the answer.
C = concreteness – say what you mean
C = credibility – relate your message to something familiar with them
E = emotions – use pictures to arouse people’s emotions and make it easy for them to relate to what you are telling them.
S = stories – they stick. People remember better when the lesson being taught is in story form.
Stories can make or break a presentation. Even if the slides are just mediocre, if the story is good, it will leave your audience remembering the points made. Stories that relate and are real, are told in a genuine way, which makes them come across as very supportive of the information being spoken about. When emotion is added to a story, it’s always more memorable. Conversational style speech is always easier to understand also and to stay in tune with.
The author, Garr Reynolds, uses three steps when designing and creating a powerpoint presentation. The first step is brainstorming without editing. The second step is grouping and figuring out what the key idea that is portrayed is. And third, lay out your story on post-it notes, adding and subtracting as necessary. Then lastly, create on slides.
Put yourself in the audience’s place when it comes to looking at your presentation with a critical eye and editing out any unrelated information. “When it doubt, cut it out” (Reynolds).
Chapter 5
Simplicity: Why it Matters
There is a middle row between simple and too simple and it’s up to us to find it. Starting from scratch with an open mind is the best way to get your presentation design in order. Timesaving measures, taken from the audience’s perspective should be used. No one wants to sit and listen to someone drone on and on with repetitive speech.
Chapter 6
Presentation Design: Principles and Techniques
“In the world of design, there is more than one solution to a single problem” (Reynolds). Everything needs to be taken into consideration before designing can begin. Only then will you know what to bring in and what to leave out. If certain things can be left out with the same message coming forth, then leave them out. Using a 3-D chart takes away from the clarity of a slide as does having your logo on every slide. Also, you should rarely use bullet points in your slides.
When words are used that reinforce what the picture is showing on a slide, it is proven that an audience will remember it longer. A good place to get photos for your slides is iStockphoto.com. Other than a free photo each week, these photos do cost. There are other sites with low cost photos and also free sites.
Adding quotes to your slides makes a big impression. Your quote can either be inside the photo box or outside of it. Resist the urge to fill all white space with either words or photos. Empty space can be defined as a design or art in itself. “White space on a slide is necessary, but If you have too much, it will look strange” (Paradi).
Using grids and the rule of thirds is the best way to know how to place your information on your slide. “Grids can save you time and ensure that your design elements fit more harmoniously on the display” (Dlugan). You can crop and reposition photos to apply this rule. It brings out what is important for the viewer to see.
There are four principles that Reynolds talks about in his book: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity. With contrast, you can make a point stick out above the rest. Repetition has the opposite affect and sort of connects things and lets the viewer know that all things should be viewed as a whole. There should be a “visual connection” between items on a slide which means they should be aligned to make that happen. It guarantees a more professional look (Reynolds). And lastly, proximity has to do with how things are organized by their spacing of closer and farther apart.
Dlugan, Andrew. "Rule of Thirds: Improve Your PowerPoint Slides." Six Minutes: Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Blog. 12 Mar. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.
Johnson, Joshua. "How to Design a Professional PowerPoint Presentation | Design Shack." Design Gallery, Deals, Tutorials & Community | Design Shack. 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2011..
Paradi, Dave. "When "White Space" on a PowerPoint Slide Is a Bad Thing." Dave Paradi's PowerPoint Blog. 20 June 2006. Web. 28 Oct. 2011..
"Preparing Professional PowerPoint Presentations: Process." QuestGarden.com. Web. 01 Nov. 2011.
Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders Pub., 2008. Print.
What makes messages stick?
There are six principles which spell SUCCESS
S = simplicity – stick with the key point
U = unexpectedness – tell them something you think they don’t know by asking a question and then giving them the answer.
C = concreteness – say what you mean
C = credibility – relate your message to something familiar with them
E = emotions – use pictures to arouse people’s emotions and make it easy for them to relate to what you are telling them.
S = stories – they stick. People remember better when the lesson being taught is in story form.
Stories can make or break a presentation. Even if the slides are just mediocre, if the story is good, it will leave your audience remembering the points made. Stories that relate and are real, are told in a genuine way, which makes them come across as very supportive of the information being spoken about. When emotion is added to a story, it’s always more memorable. Conversational style speech is always easier to understand also and to stay in tune with.
The author, Garr Reynolds, uses three steps when designing and creating a powerpoint presentation. The first step is brainstorming without editing. The second step is grouping and figuring out what the key idea that is portrayed is. And third, lay out your story on post-it notes, adding and subtracting as necessary. Then lastly, create on slides.
Put yourself in the audience’s place when it comes to looking at your presentation with a critical eye and editing out any unrelated information. “When it doubt, cut it out” (Reynolds).
Chapter 5
Simplicity: Why it Matters
There is a middle row between simple and too simple and it’s up to us to find it. Starting from scratch with an open mind is the best way to get your presentation design in order. Timesaving measures, taken from the audience’s perspective should be used. No one wants to sit and listen to someone drone on and on with repetitive speech.
Chapter 6
Presentation Design: Principles and Techniques
“In the world of design, there is more than one solution to a single problem” (Reynolds). Everything needs to be taken into consideration before designing can begin. Only then will you know what to bring in and what to leave out. If certain things can be left out with the same message coming forth, then leave them out. Using a 3-D chart takes away from the clarity of a slide as does having your logo on every slide. Also, you should rarely use bullet points in your slides.
When words are used that reinforce what the picture is showing on a slide, it is proven that an audience will remember it longer. A good place to get photos for your slides is iStockphoto.com. Other than a free photo each week, these photos do cost. There are other sites with low cost photos and also free sites.
Adding quotes to your slides makes a big impression. Your quote can either be inside the photo box or outside of it. Resist the urge to fill all white space with either words or photos. Empty space can be defined as a design or art in itself. “White space on a slide is necessary, but If you have too much, it will look strange” (Paradi).
Using grids and the rule of thirds is the best way to know how to place your information on your slide. “Grids can save you time and ensure that your design elements fit more harmoniously on the display” (Dlugan). You can crop and reposition photos to apply this rule. It brings out what is important for the viewer to see.
There are four principles that Reynolds talks about in his book: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity. With contrast, you can make a point stick out above the rest. Repetition has the opposite affect and sort of connects things and lets the viewer know that all things should be viewed as a whole. There should be a “visual connection” between items on a slide which means they should be aligned to make that happen. It guarantees a more professional look (Reynolds). And lastly, proximity has to do with how things are organized by their spacing of closer and farther apart.
Dlugan, Andrew. "Rule of Thirds: Improve Your PowerPoint Slides." Six Minutes: Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Blog. 12 Mar. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.
Johnson, Joshua. "How to Design a Professional PowerPoint Presentation | Design Shack." Design Gallery, Deals, Tutorials & Community | Design Shack. 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.
Paradi, Dave. "When "White Space" on a PowerPoint Slide Is a Bad Thing." Dave Paradi's PowerPoint Blog. 20 June 2006. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.
"Preparing Professional PowerPoint Presentations: Process." QuestGarden.com. Web. 01 Nov. 2011.
Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders Pub., 2008. Print.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Assignment Four: Presentation Zen
Presentation Zen
Chapters 1,2,3
We have “our own attachments to things that are inconsequential“ (Reynolds). This is aimed at most powerpoint presentations where there is overkill on the screen. It’s been proven also that people cannot process information when they are being spoken to and they are reading it on a screen at the same time.
Daniel Pink states there are six “right brain directed aptitudes.” They are design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning. Design takes into consideration your audience and your objectives.
Story – make it yours by adding your personality to it.
Symphony – choose what’s important and make it all fit together.
Empathy – be the audience and know when it’s all working for them and when it’s not
Play – Just because it’s serious it doesn’t mean it’s good. Add some humor.
Meaning –connect and make a difference.
Seth Godwin states in Presentation Zen, that there should never be “more than six words on a slide” (Reynolds).
Be open to new ways and ideas and don’t just rely on the old ways things were done. Keep a “beginner’s mind” (Reynolds). Be different and use your creativity. When working under time constraints, your creativity is super charged. It boils down to less is more.
Don’t create on your computer – use pen and paper first. It’s more of a right brain connection. Take “alone time” to think things through and let your creativity blossom. It’s important when preparing your presentation to know what your point is and also why it matters. Try to think like the audience. Can you name the main points and give your talk in a few minutes compared to the full length of time it was planned for? What is not on the screen but in your talk, leave it in a handout for after your talk is done. Don’t hand them out first.
Dustin Wax, contributing editor and project manager at lifehack.org has ten tips to follow for effective PowerPoint presentations. He emphasizes that only one thing should be on the screen on a time – the one that you are talking about. Otherwise the audience is reading ahead and “waiting for you to catch up rather than listening with interest to the point you’re making (Wax).
People seem to have a different take on whether or not to add humor to a presentation. In an article, 8 Secrets to a Knockout Business Presentation, the author says to “forget comedy”. It could be due to it being a business presentation rather than for a classroom of students or coworkers (Zahorsky).
In another article, the author states, “good presenting is about entertaining as well as conveying information”…”people retain more if they are enjoying themselves and feeling relaxed” (Presentation Skills Training).
In a 2007 article called PowerPoint: Boon or Bane, the author says to avoid the temptation “to tell the audience everything you know about the topic. The article also states that PowerPoint is “only a visual aid”. It should not overshadow the speaker.
"Presentation Skills Training." Businessballs Free Online Learning for Careers, Work, Management, Business Training and Education: Find Materials, Articles, Ideas, People and Providers for Teaching, Career Training, Self-help, Ethical Business Education and Leadership; for Personal, Career and Organizational Development. A Fun Free Online College of Ethical Life and Work Education, for Self Help, Teaching, Careeer Development, Distance Learning, Organizational Development, with Team Building Games and Exercises, Free Self-help and Training Ideas, Free Management Theories, Free Diagrams, Templates, Samples, Examples, Materials and Tools, Free Child Development Activities and Adults Development Exercises Ideas. Web. 21 Oct. 2011.
"Powerpoint: Boon or Bane?" Presentations Magazine Articles on TrainingMag.com. 1 Aug. 2007. Web. 21 Oct. 2011..
Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders Pub., 2008. Print.
Wax, Dustin. "10 Tips for More Effective PowerPoint Presentations." Your Daily Digest on Productivity and Life Improvements - Stepcase Lifehack. Web. 21 Oct. 2011..
Zahorsky, Darrell. "Business Presentations - 8 Secrets to a Knockout Business Presentation." Small Business Information – Small Business Help, Resources and Tips for Starting and Growing a Small Business from About.com. About.com. Web. 21 Oct. 2011..
Chapters 1,2,3
We have “our own attachments to things that are inconsequential“ (Reynolds). This is aimed at most powerpoint presentations where there is overkill on the screen. It’s been proven also that people cannot process information when they are being spoken to and they are reading it on a screen at the same time.
Daniel Pink states there are six “right brain directed aptitudes.” They are design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning. Design takes into consideration your audience and your objectives.
Story – make it yours by adding your personality to it.
Symphony – choose what’s important and make it all fit together.
Empathy – be the audience and know when it’s all working for them and when it’s not
Play – Just because it’s serious it doesn’t mean it’s good. Add some humor.
Meaning –connect and make a difference.
Seth Godwin states in Presentation Zen, that there should never be “more than six words on a slide” (Reynolds).
Be open to new ways and ideas and don’t just rely on the old ways things were done. Keep a “beginner’s mind” (Reynolds). Be different and use your creativity. When working under time constraints, your creativity is super charged. It boils down to less is more.
Don’t create on your computer – use pen and paper first. It’s more of a right brain connection. Take “alone time” to think things through and let your creativity blossom. It’s important when preparing your presentation to know what your point is and also why it matters. Try to think like the audience. Can you name the main points and give your talk in a few minutes compared to the full length of time it was planned for? What is not on the screen but in your talk, leave it in a handout for after your talk is done. Don’t hand them out first.
Dustin Wax, contributing editor and project manager at lifehack.org has ten tips to follow for effective PowerPoint presentations. He emphasizes that only one thing should be on the screen on a time – the one that you are talking about. Otherwise the audience is reading ahead and “waiting for you to catch up rather than listening with interest to the point you’re making (Wax).
People seem to have a different take on whether or not to add humor to a presentation. In an article, 8 Secrets to a Knockout Business Presentation, the author says to “forget comedy”. It could be due to it being a business presentation rather than for a classroom of students or coworkers (Zahorsky).
In another article, the author states, “good presenting is about entertaining as well as conveying information”…”people retain more if they are enjoying themselves and feeling relaxed” (Presentation Skills Training).
In a 2007 article called PowerPoint: Boon or Bane, the author says to avoid the temptation “to tell the audience everything you know about the topic. The article also states that PowerPoint is “only a visual aid”. It should not overshadow the speaker.
"Presentation Skills Training." Businessballs Free Online Learning for Careers, Work, Management, Business Training and Education: Find Materials, Articles, Ideas, People and Providers for Teaching, Career Training, Self-help, Ethical Business Education and Leadership; for Personal, Career and Organizational Development. A Fun Free Online College of Ethical Life and Work Education, for Self Help, Teaching, Careeer Development, Distance Learning, Organizational Development, with Team Building Games and Exercises, Free Self-help and Training Ideas, Free Management Theories, Free Diagrams, Templates, Samples, Examples, Materials and Tools, Free Child Development Activities and Adults Development Exercises Ideas. Web. 21 Oct. 2011.
"Powerpoint: Boon or Bane?" Presentations Magazine Articles on TrainingMag.com. 1 Aug. 2007. Web. 21 Oct. 2011.
Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders Pub., 2008. Print.
Wax, Dustin. "10 Tips for More Effective PowerPoint Presentations." Your Daily Digest on Productivity and Life Improvements - Stepcase Lifehack. Web. 21 Oct. 2011.
Zahorsky, Darrell. "Business Presentations - 8 Secrets to a Knockout Business Presentation." Small Business Information – Small Business Help, Resources and Tips for Starting and Growing a Small Business from About.com. About.com. Web. 21 Oct. 2011.
Assignment Four: The Presenter's Fieldbook
A |
good presentation can cause transformation and group development, immediately and during the future. As the presenter, you are responsible for the way people interact with each other. This interaction helps them learn from each other and grow. You need to get to know your learners in order to teach them well. When you can get your learners to trust you, you’ve overcome a huge obstacle that benefits each of you. With trust come respect, competence, personal regard, and integrity. Mediation is also the job of the presenter by setting standards and demonstrating.
It’s not so much what happens during the presentation, which is very important, but it’s what happens after the presentation that is also important to the learner. It is now known that it is through collaborative efforts that change in teachers is made. The old way was to improve the individual teacher.
There are four functions that a presenter should perform – presenting, coaching, facilitating, and consulting. The first one, presenting, comes in many forms including lecturing, cooperative learning, and study group to name a few. Presenting is teaching.
The second one is coaching. Coaching includes motivation, personal growth, mentoring, parenting, anxiety and depression, childbirth to name a few. Coaching means helping another person make the right decision.
The third is facilitating. The facilitator helps get the work done by helping with planning and problem solving but remains neutral. Facilitators are servants and make a group’s work easier.
The fourth function is consulting. The consultant brings expertise to the group sometimes before presenting.
A macromap can give the presenter the feel of the large picture so the boundaries are known. If you don’t know the boundaries of your destination, it’s harder to spread out and learn the territory. Presenters use these maps to speak to four audiences. The four audiences that the presenter speaks to are the professors who want to know “what”, the friends who say “so what”, the inventors who say “what if”, and the scientists who say “why”.
The professors want handouts with data and an agenda and lecture seating. The friends would like a circle seating arrangement that denotes interaction and they would like nametags. The inventors enjoy colorful charts and synectic exercises. And the scientists like organized agendas with handouts that have space for questions.
A good presenter will be able to speak to each of the audiences during the opening. Most presenters do best with audiences that are more like themselves.
There are four basic levels of learning: Identity, Beliefs and values, Capabilities, and Behaviors. Identity is about who we are. Beliefs and values are about what our ideas that we think are true and our internal guidelines of good and bad. Capabilities are what guide our behaviors. And behaviors are how we act in certain situations by keeping our minds open and listening better.
Empower your audience by being the driver and not the passenger. You have to know that you can make a difference and produce results. And they also let the learners take responsibility for themselves in many ways as far as where to sit and their choice of their partner. These teachers are more successful, flexible, and produce students who learn more.
When presenting, do not focus on what you want the learner to do but rather on what you know the learner will benefit from during the activity. “The biggest item that separates mediocre presenters from world class ones is the ability to connect with an audience in an honest and exciting way (Reynolds).
A presentation is like a gift. If done correctly, a presentation can bring an audience and a presenter closer together. But “the art of conducting a presentation is a skill, not a gift” (Life Science Leader). An audience likes to believe that a presentation has been selected especially for them. For the presenter to do this, they need to know their audience! Customize the presentation! The topics to customize are: the time, the place, the circumstances, and yourself. Some suspense is good to start out talking about saying that you will share it later. Choose nice handouts and dress a bit more formally than your audience.
Make what you are presenting useful. A useful and personal gift of a presentation bonds a presenter and an audience. Remember KISS – Keep It Straight and Simple (Sieber).
There are three phases of change – endings, neutral zones, and new beginnings. It’s important to know what stage an organization is in so you know where to start and what to focus on.
Endings can be compared to dying. Some may feel it’s the ending of themselves, but they also may know that the ending brings forth a; new beginning. “The trick to endings is to let go” (Garmston). Put yourself in their shoes and focus on what led to the change instead of on the solutions.
The neutral zone – take a time out and think and get ideas. Then get the audience to think of ideas. Each person’s sense of interdependence should be strengthened during this time.
Beginnings – Do not “demean the old way of doing things” (Garmston). Encourage them to look ahead so to see what it will be like when the change takes place.
Consult before you present and your presentation will go well. Speaking with a number of people, to whom you will be presenting and getting their ideas and data, will add to your presentation. Have an agenda to follow as well as a list of names to refer back to during your conversations so you can make sure everyone is having input.
Have a standard set of design questions to work from. Some examples are: Do the attendees come to this with experience? Are we meeting to solve a problem? Is the group excited and interested in this meeting? Will there be follow up support for the outcome?
Logistics – Be sure you know where the place is that you will be presenting from and how long you have to present.
There are three hats for professional developers to wear: coach, consultant, and facilitator
Chapter Two
Develop a designer’s mind – when thinking about design, there are four questions to consider that basically tell you to know what you want your audience to learn, pay attention to see if they are learning from your presentation, and how will I go about making sure they learn.
And then there are three phases of learning – activate and engage, explore and discover, and organize and integrate. The first phase, activate and engage, allows you to learn the hopes and fears of the participants by having them bring them into their “working memory” (Garmston). The second phase, explore and discover, which means that now new information can be brought in and compared to the old so new ways can be looked at that fit. The third phase, organize and integrate, is where the learners buckle down and work to organize what they’ve learned.
Prepare the room –There are a few points to consider like the size of the room, the seating, the refreshments, name tags, and a possible greeter. Music sets the tone with softer music for the morning and livelier as the day goes on.
Technical arrangements – an easel can give the name of the presentation. You can use props to “warm the stage” (Garmston). Make sure you are standing where the majority of the audience can see you. Look at the audience and smile. Stand still for the first few minutes so the audience can check you out. “Generally stay off to the side but MOVE, MOVE, MOVE! (Gallian).
Make sure to “speak confidently, sound interesting, look confident, and engage with the audience” (Improving Your Presentation Delivery Skills).
Each style of room arrangement has a certain feel. Here are the basics: Theatre is for a lecture of more than 50 people; Chevron is classroom style for groups of 30 – 50; Herringbone is for 30 – 150 and is good for small group discussions; U-shaped for 5 – 25; and Rounds for 30 -150.
There are seven purposes of content:
1. Inform – present content
2. Communicate values – present from a source other than you
3. Provide theory – know how to present the information
4. Establish credibility – say things that relate you to the group
5. Prime the learning pump – tell a story that relates to the topic of your talk
6. Focus attention – instruct audience what to pay attention to
7. Set a course for action – influence participants to know what they need to do after presentation
Participants must be given time to understand the information being given them.
There are eight containers to choose from according to Garmston (page 56). Knowing your audience helps you with which one to choose. Having your ideas from your talk stated in your opening helps listeners remember better.
Time sequence – use exact order of action
Question and answer – you ask and then answer
Three ideas – start talk with ideas
Startling statement, reasons, and solutions – gets audience’s attention
Compare-Contrast – use key idea
Topical grouping – not the best choice but kind of like an outline
Cause and Effect – “describes how one action leads to another” (Garmston)
Problem-Solution – none step process
And there is a ninth added in – The 2 minute speech
Design Effective Follow-up
“Only 20% of learning will occur inside the room and 80% comes from practice outside the seminar setting” (Garmston).
"10 Powerpoint Tips for Preparing a Professional Presentation." Cool Websites, Software and Internet Tips. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-tips-for-preparing-a-professional-presentation>.
"Garr Reynolds/Presentations." Garr Reynolds Official Site. GarrReynolds.com, 2005. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.garrreynolds.com/Presentation/delivery.html>.
"Improving Your Presentation Delivery Skills." Presentation-skills.biz. 2003-2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.presentation-skills.biz/>.
Joseph A. Gallian, How to give a good talk, Math Horizons, April (1998), 29-30.
"Life Science Leader." Life Science Leader - Home. Jameson Publishing, Inc., 6 Oct. 2011. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lifescienceleader.com/index.php?option=com_content>.
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