I’m guilty. Yes, I’ve done some of these things listed in this video in my presentations. Have you?
I realize now that I don’t need to look like I know everything or have to share out too much information. This video does hit home for me and other presentations I’ve participated in. I hope you watch it. However, I know how difficult it is to change something that you are passionate about and you believe is working.
I’d like to add a few tips or adapt a few tips in this video on what I am learning as I do more and more presentations.
- Simplify – Less is more!
Use graphics or visuals that capture the points you are making instead of text or bullet points. You can even throw in a graphic with a powerful quote.
- Show a video or two.
A video can provide a virtual visit to a classroom or school. Sometimes hearing from educators or learners in the field is better than listening to one person talking for an hour or so.
- Provide a handout or collaborative doc for note-taking.
If you use PowerPoint, you can create a handout with 3 slides on a page. You could create a Google Doc or OneNote that participants can copy or use to collaborate on notes.
- Build-in pair/shares or small group discussions.
Participants want to learn from you but after even 5 minutes, they get tired. Break up your presentation with powerful questions or activities where participants can share with each other.
- Include a parking lot or needs to know.
Hand out post-it notes and place flip charts around the room for participants to add comments, questions, or concerns. If your group is under 50 people, consider creating a Padlet for an online bulletin board with virtual stickies.
- Set up a document with all of your resources for your participants.
Create a shared doc (Google Doc or HyperDoc) and open it up for anyone with the link to view. Include any URLs or resources shared in your speech.
- Put yourself in your participants’ chairs.
Every person in the audience is in your presentation to learn something and hoping to take at least one thing away. Do some research about your audience and who they are, what they are interested in, and any concerns they may have, and include those in your presentation.
- Test your presentation
Ask someone to review your presentation with you. Tell them who the audience is and the expectations for your speech. Then present it and ask for constructive feedback.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Review the timing, check to see how much time you will need for activities, and make sure you don’t read off a script. See if you can come across spontaneously and even improvise so it sounds like a conversation.
- Video your presentation
Not sure what you look like when you present. Have someone video your presentation and then review it. Consider wearing a black outfit or one without any patterns. Check to see how you project your voice, practice with a microphone, where you look when you speak, and if you are pacing or standing still.
These are just a few tips. I sometimes forget and go back to presenting the same way with the same mistakes. I know I can learn from you. So if you have any other tips you would like to share, please leave your tip in a comment below.
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Interested in checking out the Rethinking Learning podcasts and reflections, click on the podcast tab at the top, the logo below, or go to https://barbarabray.net/podcasts/
For more information about Barbara’s book, Define Your WHY, go to this page or click on the image of the book for resources, questions, and links.
