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See, Sort, Learn: Design
Elements of an Engaging Technical Presentation
Objective
This course provides participants with the tools to
create an engaging technical or scientific presentation using Microsoft®
PowerPoint®. After learning basic elements of good design,
participants will review how these can be used to capture and hold the interest
of an audience. ‘Good’ and ‘bad’ examples of text, images (e.g., photos, maps,
diagrams and data) and advanced PowerPoint® features (e.g., builds,
animations and action buttons) will be reviewed to stimulate creativity and
reinforce design concepts. The course closes with opportunities to critique
existing presentations. Names will be changed to protect the guilty.
Prerequisites
Participants must have a basic understanding of
PowerPoint® because operational fundamentals will not be taught. It
is important to know how to save files, input text, change slide formats, and
switch between panes. Familiarity with the charting function of Excel®
is also helpful.
Outline
Introduction
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Review the
external controls (audience, expectations, media, place, timing, formality) |
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Determine
the message (find it, organize it, focus it, prioritize) |
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Plan the
delivery (partitioning of time) |
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Design
elements for effective communication |
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How we see, sort and learn/remember information
(basic blocks that overlap) |
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Aspects of seeing (colour, font, contrast,
positioning) |
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Aspects of sorting (clutter, sequencing, emphasis,
uniformity) |
| Aspects of learning/remembering (repetition,
structuring) |
Using these design elements in PowerPoint®
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Entering the core of the
presentation into PowerPoint® (including import of Word and Excel®
files) |
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Viewing and moving slides |
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Titles and
text |
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Bullets |
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Images
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Maps, sections, diagrams |
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Photos and clip-art |
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Charts (simple charts, triangular plots, x-y
plots) |
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Data tables |
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Advanced features that enhance the
message
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Builds |
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Animations |
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Action button |
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Use of slide masters and design
templates (if requested) |
| Mimicking
two-projector talks |
“The good, the bad and the downright ugly”
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Review existing presentations |
Back |
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