Inside Higher Ed: This week I unplugged, went acoustic, presented naked.
Okay, I didn’t really do any of those things - but I did give a big off-campus talk to an important group without a PowerPoint.
I had my slides all ready to go. The deck was loaded up on the podium computer. And these were good slides. Lots of visuals and evocative images. 22 slides that I’d worked hard on to make each visually appealing. No slides with lots of text. Only images and words that supported a few key arguments and assertions.
I didn’t use these slides.
25 comments:
I had one teacher in high school who never allowed us to use PowerPoint slides when we presented for his class. At first a lot of us found this really annoying because slides are really useful as reminders and to make sure you hit your big points, etc. etc. But what I found after giving a few presentations for his class was that not having slides forced me to really know the information I was presenting and engage with my audience. We've all been at those talks where it seemed like the person was just reading the bullet points on their slides aloud to the audience. I hate those. But being able to know your material well enough to really have a discussion with your audience instead of just reading at them is far more exciting for both parties. Also, it was that class that really helped me with my fear of presenting in front of people. I still get pretty nervous, but because of that teacher I now know what a really good, successful presentation feels like when you're giving it, and what I'm aiming for when I start talking in front of a group of people.
Presenting without powerpoint slides can be very effective, but it takes a lot more preparation in order for the presentation to be as strong as one with powerpoint slides to back the speaker up. Either way, I think it is a good strategy as a presenter to prepare for presentations as if you can't use any slides to back you up. This level of preparation will help the speaker deliver a stronger presentation verbally, which, to me, is the most important part of any presentation.
I also strongly believe each presentation is very different. Using powerpoint slides for all presentations isn't necessarily always the answer, and the same goes for not using slides. It is so important to analyze the context of every presentation before deciding on the content, whether it includes visual support or not. Audience demographics, subject, and more are just a few aspects one must consider while planning what the most effective presentation technique will be. For this person, giving up the powerpoint slides worked. But I don't think this should inspire everyone to ditch powerpoint slides from here on out. It depends on what you are trying to get across to your audience, and sometimes visual aids are essential to accomplish presentation goals.
One of the biggest problems with PowerPoint presentations is that inexperienced presenters spend a great deal of time looking at the slides and not at the audience. Experienced presenters typically have the ability to present with or without the slides because they know the content well enough to go without.
I think that this idea is great because it transfers a student’s need from copying down information on the slides to actually listening for what is important in the discussion. By participating in the talk, the student has to make decisions on what is and is not important and draw connections that they would otherwise not make from class discussions. I have always found that I remember the content better from classes with no presentations or with less content on each slide because I was actually listening to what was being said. When slides are used heavily, I find that I spend more time writing that listening or even paying attention to what I am writing.
I wonder if this will become a more popular theory for teaching in the near future.
I only partially agree with this article. I can not stand it when a presenter is completely reliant on their slides, of they read directly off of them. Both of those things are horrible ways of presenting, but that being said, powerpoints or something similar are sometimes necessary for a presenter. I have had some teachers who would never use a powerpoint out of principle or would not allow us to use them for the same reasons. But there is nothing worse than watching a presentation that is so dull and has nothing to back it up, or a presentation that has so much information that is being spoken so quickly that also has no text that can be used for reference. Although not having a powerpoint is good, the lack of a powerpoint in a presentation should not be a hard and fast rule. For example, if there is some kind of company meeting, where no notes need to be taken and just some simple information needs to get across, a powerpoint is not necessary, but if you are in a lecture taught by Molly McCarter, powerpoints are highly necessary to get all the information down before the topic is changed. I think that a prepared presentation or lack thereof should not be a determined good or bad thing; it should be taken on a case-by-case basis.
College, thus far, has been a PowerPoint free experience, with the exception of a school mandated English course. My stepdad, at home, would frequently have to make presentations for work and would take about how proud he was of his PowerPoints, saying this one was particularly engaging. In the office setting, there seems to be a purpose for this breed of information dump, as people are tuned to tune out the second someone starts talking down to them from a position of power. The person standing at the head of a table with the clicker becomes the de-facto dictator of that little country Conferenceroomia, holding the citizens hostage until they have been drilled with all kinds of useless facts about construction parameters and funding matrices. You also run the risk, as the article talks about, of having someone up there with no idea how to speak in front of others, so instead they turn their gaze to the projection, never paying the watchers any mind, shutting them out. Eliminating slides also eliminates that crutch, forcing the person talking to interface with the listeners, fostering discussion and making sure each person stays involved and engaged. You also eliminate the stress of taking all the info on slides, as everyone takes notes at a different rate.
For the past few years the art form that is presentation has shifted from a heavy reliance on PowerPoint, towards the more visually appealing Prezi and just recently to no distracting background at all. People have just begun to realize, that like the author says it moves the focus form the presenter and the pretty pictures that he or she has behind them, to the discussion, the content of their words. What used to be assistance has become a crutch, people focused too much on the text on the screen and judging the lay out of the PowerPoints to really focus on the information that’s supposed to be coming across? While it’s easier for note taking in a classroom sense, often times even the students are really just copying words, completely bypassing the memory storage sections in their brain. PowerPoints in a way encourage that in one ear and out the other thing.
A well constructed visual aid can completely change the way we experience a presentation. After all a picture is worth a thousand words and sometimes it is just much more efficient to show what something looks like rather than trying to describe it. This is not to say that all good presentations need or even should have this visual aid. Some of the best talks I have ever seen were good because they broke this convention and even in a crowded auditorium the presenter managed to convey the idea that he was speaking directly with every one of us rather than speaking at us. For me the power point’s role is to guide the audience, to keep them on the same topic as the speaker. It should not be the primary way a speaker conveys that information nor should it be a tool to keep the speaker on topic, that should be coming directly from the speaker, yes this requires more practice but it also improves the presentation.
I have mixed opinions on power point presentations. On one hand they are great for giving visual aid and on the other hand they are can be distracting. There are good for certain things and bad for others. If you are giving a straight lecture then a power point (so long as it is well made (which is a whole nother ballgame)) is exactly what you want. It keeps you on track and helps visual learners a lot. Now, in a situation where you are trying to lead more of a conversation and less presenting information then a power point could be detrimental. There is also merit to wanting to stay on track when giving a talk and merit to wanting to be able to go off topic and be free flowing. So I think saying there is a better option between using a power point vs not using one is detrimental because there are always different situations where one option is better.
I have mixed opinions on power point presentations. On one hand they are great for giving visual aid and on the other hand they are can be distracting. There are good for certain things and bad for others. If you are giving a straight lecture then a power point (so long as it is well made (which is a whole nother ballgame)) is exactly what you want. It keeps you on track and helps visual learners a lot. Now, in a situation where you are trying to lead more of a conversation and less presenting information then a power point could be detrimental. There is also merit to wanting to stay on track when giving a talk and merit to wanting to be able to go off topic and be free flowing. So I think saying there is a better option between using a power point vs not using one is detrimental because there are always different situations where one option is better.
Power Points can be a very powerful and useful tool while giving a presentation. This is because they can be engaged through visual aids. The content on the slides can also help you explain how something works via a diagram or how something looks via pictures. That all being said, they can also be a very big distraction for the audience listening to your talk. This is because they won’t even listen to you! Instead, they will just read the content of your slides. Than if your content only skims the surface that is all the listener gets. The other danger is that your slides become your script. Now yes your slides should help guide your talk, but they should not be a word for word script. This is bad because than the audience just falls asleep. At the end of the day, it really depends on what you are trying to get out of your presentation.
Presentations is really a general term, and I would shy away from making a argument either way if using a Power Point or not is better, because every situation is different. Sometimes having visual aids for an audience will be very helpful and engaging and other times it may just be distracting. I have sat through so many power point presentations that basically turned into nap time during high school but there were also presentations that used a Power Point that was very interesting and held my attention. I would diffidently say there are many advantages to not using a Power Point, but then again the authors three main points about how it is beneficial to not use a Power Point can all be achieved while still using a Power Point. For example, she says the focus becomes more on the presenter, well if the presenter knows what they are doing, implements what the author suggests (moving around, initiating discussion) then it can be just as successful with or without a Power Point.
At my high school the administration believed in strict computer limitation -- which basically meant we weren't allowed computers in school. Most teachers at my school didn't bring their laptops in, and lectured only with a regular chalkboard behind them. It was only when I got to college that I had teachers who brought in Power Point presentations and used them for lectures. I'll agree with this article, that fostering a discussion and having communication between teachers and students is very effective for getting out the best ideas. But I can't completely diss having a Power Point slide, especially when it comes to taking notes. I've gotten good at taking notes just from what a teacher says, but it's so difficult to pinpoint exactly what is important and what isn't. On a presentation slide, it's very clear for someone to see how to format your notes so you can study for the exam later. Then again, whenever a presentation slide is projected I'm more likely to be scrambling to take the notes from that then listen to the presenter. Each method has its ups and downs.
I know that growing up today, people my age are hardwired to be drawn to screens. It is simply part of our everyday language. Clocks are on phones, notes are taken on computers, and screens are a ubiquitous tool in order to gain access to any piece of information we may need. Lectures are the same. While I usually cringe at people making broad statements about millennial, it is true that we automatically divert our main focus to the glowing pixels, and I applaud the attempt to break us of the habit. My only problem is logistical-- it is very difficult to absorb information exactly when it is only being heard. If people wish to make the switch to powerpoint free presentations, they need to keep the needs of the audience in mind, and make sure the information is clear, straightforward and easy to understand even without the use of visual aid.
This was a nice read! I've always been a fan of talks that don't require Power point slides because c'mon-- no one actually reads those slides in any presentation given. I couldn't tell you one fact that I remember off of a power point slide presentation. I think many TED talks highlight the idea of having a successful and effective completely verbal talk. I do believe that that's why it's so easy to be engaged in many TED talks because you are focusing on the speaker-- not trying to divide your attention to a power point slide. I've always been sort of an old school stickler-- I would talk face to face over texting/calling and I still hand write all of my notes from class. I never felt completely comfortable talking notes on a computer-- it feels so sterile and it feels like the information presented never gets into the brain.
I absolutely agree with this article. The kind of knowledge that comes from human to human connection is significantly superior to the anything from a powerpoint slide. The vast majority of information that comes from powerpoints is forgotten by the audience and stifling to the presenter. The three things described in this article present a good detailed description of how this relates to business presentations. I am also interested in how this can inform our theatre0making. The idea that we do not think about how productions as something that we prepare and perform for an audience, but that we rather think about our work in terms of how the audience is directly involved in what it is is something that is incredibly important to me in my work. If they fill in the gaps, they learn better, connect more, and grow closer. The way that powerpoint presentations ought to be based in human to human connection is the same as theatre, and we can take a large lesson from that.
I think the author identifies the problem with his own argument in this article, namely that he's using "talk" and "presentation" synonymously when they really fulfill two different functions. I agree with him that a PowerPoint-free talk allows you to connect to your audience better, place the emphasis on the connections and the discussion, however if the goal of your talk/presentation is to disseminate information (policy changes, other specific facts), then you want the focus to be more on the content.
I often run into the problem with very engaging speakers that I become so engaged in what they are saying that, and having the discussion that I am not actually absorbing the information presented. I am an active participant in the conversation, which feels awesome in the moment, then three hours later I think to myself "what was that discussion about?"
Ultimately, My takeaway from this article is that when leading a discussion or presentation, It's important to think more about your audience's engagement with the material than your own comfort as a presenter. If you are a brilliant conversationalist, and your job is to discuss the new sexual harassment policy, you probably don't want be super chatty...
I think the idea of openly engaging a group in discussion is really great, and being able to walk over and engage specific people in conversation is helpful. It's always easier to talk to someone closer to you that shouting from across a lecture hall, but I think this style of presenting only worked in this setting because the presenter had the opportunity to move around. He emphasizes the fact that he could walk right up to different tables and people, but in a traditional lecture style class that wouldn't be feasible. I guess the presenter could walk up and down the aisles, but not up to specific people.
The best way to engage the most amount of people in a discussion, in my opinion, is to just have smaller group to present to. I've always been much more willing to speak up in a class of 20 people than a group of 50. It leads to more intimate settings and a more comfortable environment.
I have always struggled to really learn from PowerPoints. I understand the ease of use they provide to the person leading the lesson and that it allows them to stay on track. Unfortunately for me I was always taught when I was younger that if the teacher took the time to write in on the board, I need to take the time to write it in my notes. And with PowerPoints it is far too easy to fill them to the brim with words. Also it is a universally known fact that we always speak faster than we write so by the time things are said from the PowerPoint the speaker has already moved on to the next slide or added more detail than is given in the slide that would make it clear; thus leaving the student in a state of confusion of what to record down to get the best possible notes in the lecture. This leads to the bigger problem where information isn’t being processed real time by the student because they are expanding all of their energy in copying down the note perfectly and no being able to really ask questions on things that might confuse them. I personally believe our education system relies too heavily on PowerPoints and it’s time for them to take a backseat to class discussions.
With the myriad PowerPoint one offs, and platforms like Prezi, it is easier than ever to turn out a high quality, flash-and-bang sort of presentation that nearly renders the presenter superfluous. To be sure, there is a time and place for the PowerPoint. But I can not help but feel as though it has become an overused medium for content conveyance. They have become a crutch, and allow a presenter to get away with being less rehearsed, and less familiar with the content of the presentation. Presentation platforms and programs also cultivate a sense of audience-blindness. That is, they do not force the presenter to interact with and acknowledge their audience in the way a discussion or alternate presentation style would. PowerPoints can effectively become a wall, allowing the audience to maybe hear what is being said on the other side without allowing for any real connection. This author brings up many valid points, and I firmly believe we should reevaluate our use of this style of presentation.
I've always found that in classes that use PowerPoint presentations regularly I find it harder to learn. I focus so much on trying to copy down the information from the slides that I end up not listening to what the teacher or professor is actually saying. Discussion helps to reinforce ideas as well as hearing the perspectives of more than one voice. I've always loved hearing what my peers think about what we're learning about, and that's usually impossible when you're only using a PowerPoint. Considering how your audience will react is really important and people should try to prioritize it. It's to just stand in front of a group and click through slides, but it's worth it to try and engage the audience. Not only will people learn better, but they will also be more likely to enjoy what the presenter is saying. Although I don't think that people should get rid of PowerPoints entirely, I do think that there's a lot of value on focusing on the connection that the presenter has with the audience instead.
I agreed with the ideas in some ways but I think powerpoint is also a great tool when you need to stretch out time for us whom may not have so many life experiences to share with the room as of now. I’m not sure. But yes it is better in other circumstances. I was thinking of when teachers teach in front of the class and we student are sitting there listening. If the teacher has powerpoint, we all will automatically draw our concentration to the slides than listening to what he or she said although the teacher may tell us that you don’t have to write it down I still feel anxious and not trust them. It may be easier to participate when teacher speaks in class without having slides presenting the content because we will be more participate in the conversation and trying to thing along the conversation more.
I’m exactly the kind of person who forgets about a presentation, shows up with no power point, and has to completely improvise their speech. So I have a lot of experience with power-point free presentations. And each has their advantages. I feel like power-point slides help people to absorb the information and take notes. Whenever people are taking notes from my presentations, I make sure to have detailed power point slides. It can also help with imagery and visual explanation, which are helpful aspects when presenting designs. I also find that power-point slides keep me on track in a presentation, since I tend to talk a lot. But there is something very freeing about being able to talk freely to an audience. It feels more intimate and less like a presentation. I think that the viability of power-points depends on the kind of presentation it is. Sometimes it is beneficial, other times it is not.
I love this approach to presenting. Powerpoint presentations, more often than not, create a wall between the presenter and the audience. Though some may find a presentation without a powerpoint to lean on daunting, it actually generates conversation and thought from both perspectives. There is no longer a crutch. Presentations that are interactive make people think and pay attention. Audiences will without effort take away more from what is being presented. Moreover, not having images and keywords that a presenter touches on allows the conversation and information to be presented in a more personalized way. Since coming to college, I have learned a lot about my preferred learning style. I find especially in classes that require students to absorb a lot of memorized information my peers and I prefer a more casual teaching style. Since moving away from the powerpoint style of teaching in Foundations, I feel the professor and us students are absorbing much more of what is being presented. We are forced to participate in conversation because there is no projection screen to let our eyes glaze over on. The nonexistent projection screen also causes our professor to pay more attention to the specific needs of our class meetings.
I have had few experiences in my life worse than having to sit through a horrible PowerPoint presentation. Not only can PowerPoint make for dull presentations with lots of text and reading, but they can bring down the charisma and otherwise normal sounding people. People who don’t understand how to use PowerPoint effectively tend to put lots of text on slides and read directly from them. It forces the viewers to pay attention to reading the slides and not on the presenter and it makes people nervous that they won’t get all the information from the slide (especially in college). I applaud Mr. Kim for unplugging for his discussion. I can absolutely see the merits in getting back to a core discussion and conversation with people. That being said, I’m one who likes to have a few slides, even if it is just very broad topics of conversation. That way, if one gets sidetracked, they can always look back to the slide to focus on the topic at hand.
PowerPoint is a tool, which like any tool, can be both a detriment and a hindrance. In experience and in observation, various presentation aides can distract both the listener and the presenter, who relies solely on the PowerPoint to provide information over memorization of facts. From the perspective of the listener, it can be easy to tune out the listener and focus on the graphics versus the content. The key to a successful presentation is the balance between aides and actual presentation, in order to stimulate discussion versus a more rigid lecture style. Engagement with the speaker is much more developed without PowerPoint, as this can severely cripple the success of a presentation if not used properly.
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