I’m often asked for the PowerPoint slides I use to teach my one-day Tech classes, but I never give them out. The reason is that I don’t use PowerPoint slides in my one-day Tech classes!
I always advise ham radio instructors not to use PowerPoint presentations. The reason for this is that most people don’t know how to design PowerPoint slides properly, and they tend to put people to sleep. I want the students to pay attention to me, not my slides, and conversely, I want to pay attention to the students and not just read off the slides.
A recent article in Inc. magazine supports my view. The article doesn’t really say not to use PowerPoints, but to use them more effectively. The article notes that, “Google’s employees are being trained to present in a bolder, fresher style–less text heavy and more visual.” The reason for this is:
Cognitive scientists say it’s impossible for us to multitask as well as we think we can. The brain cannot do two things at once and do them equally well. When it comes to presentation design, we can’t read text on the screen and listen to the speaker while retaining all of the information. It can’t be done.
Yikes! Think about all those slides that have a single question and all the possible answers on them. After reading this, are you sure that you want to use them?
I suppose that I could get creative and come up with slides that have pictures that illustrate various technical concepts and then talk around those. But, that would take way too much time, and I’m not a graphics designer. Besides, I’d have to have hundreds of slides to talk about everything on the Tech test. Even if I wanted to be real creative, I just don’t have the time to create that many slides.
Instead, I talk to the students, drawing on a whiteboard when I have to to make a point. The students stay engaged in the class, and if their attention does wander, I can reel them back in.
Bob K0NR says
Even Abraham Lincoln used Powerpoint for important presentations such as the Gettysburg Address. See http://norvig.com/Gettysburg/
[Might be #fakenews]
John says
Dan
There is an art to using visual aids of any type. It must be suited to the presenters style and the audiences expertise in the subject.
In an earlier season of life I used to develop and present operations plans for medium and large formations. PowerPoint was always guided by the “show…don’t tell” approach. Relational graphics with minimal text always works better. More detailed graphics for less experienced audiences. Supplementing the graphics with maps and chalkboard sketches kept audiences involved with the presentation and gave appropriate contexts.
“Reading the slides” is a common pitfall of the inexperienced teacher.
One more point in adult education. A short read ahead document is helpful in priming the pump with context and anticipation. One or two pages outlining the main ideas and sequence of presentation give the audience context and may prompt valuable questions from the insightful student. Simple bullet points and single sentences are usually sufficient.
Were I to take your class, I would first read your excellent study guide in advance. One might even call it a requirement for the serious student.
Bottom line. Visual aids can be helpful or distracting. Good visual aids illustrate key relational ideas. Chalkboard exercises follow the time honored “show….don’t tell” approach.
Ned Rubin, N3SGD says
Poor advice. I have been an instructor for over 50 years in a variety of settings-undergraduate/graduate programs, military, police training, ham radio venues, etc. Like any instructional aid, PowerPoints can enhance learning or induce sleep. You can’t just “wing it”-You have to gain some knowledge online or by mentorship on how to design a PowerPoint presentation. The main point: the attractive and “fun” slides should enhance your spoken class content, but not overwhelm the student. They also should be available to each student for after-class review and study. Good Luck!!
Dan KB6NU says
I”m not sure what you’re referring to as poor advice, but I think your comments are in line with what the article I’m referring to says. Having said that, I don’t think I’ve seen any PowerPoint presentations that I would really recommend for ham radio classes.