How do Microsoft PowerPoint® pitfalls negatively affect presentations? How may you avoid these pitfalls?
Although PowerPoint is an effective tool for presentations one of the pitfalls presenters fall into is relying on the technology of PowerPoint too much. When PowerPoint slides are created it can be tempting to use a lot of the capabilities of the program and take the focus off the data being delivered. Many users, who have not used the program before, are so caught up in the fun of creating the slides that the data becomes second to the look of the slides. While the slides may be eye catching and have fun transitions the audience is losing interest because of the lack of data.
Avoiding this pitfall is done by making the data the first priority and the delivery secondary. You can have great graphics and transitions but if there is nothing being said or taught then it is all for naught.
May 9, 2010
May 8, 2010
Effective Presentations for Virtual Groups
What type of presentation is most effective for virtual groups? How may you be comprehensive in your approach?
For virtual groups the most effective form of presentation is Powerpoint. Powerpoint gives the presenter the ability to control what all the audience members are seeing in the information. It is necessary that the presenter be conscious of having as much information as possible in the presentation and speakers notes to insure the majority of questions are addressed in the presentation.
One of the things to consider and make note of when doing powerpoint presentations in a virtual group is the version of powerpoint and speed of the machines being used. If the presenter does not account for slower computers they may create a graphically filled presentation that does not run effectively. You don't want to make the presentation too basic but it helps to be aware of how it may come across to others on their systems.
For virtual groups the most effective form of presentation is Powerpoint. Powerpoint gives the presenter the ability to control what all the audience members are seeing in the information. It is necessary that the presenter be conscious of having as much information as possible in the presentation and speakers notes to insure the majority of questions are addressed in the presentation.
One of the things to consider and make note of when doing powerpoint presentations in a virtual group is the version of powerpoint and speed of the machines being used. If the presenter does not account for slower computers they may create a graphically filled presentation that does not run effectively. You don't want to make the presentation too basic but it helps to be aware of how it may come across to others on their systems.
May 7, 2010
Engaging Presentations
How may you make a presentation engaging to an audience?
Making a presentation engaging to an audience involves making it entertaining and when possible having personal tie-ins. Making a presentation entertaining through humor, visual aids, or thematic elements will give the audience an opportunity to not only learn information from the presentation but also be entertained. For many presentations the information is necessary but not exciting. This can cause the audience to tune out and lose interest in the presentation. Making the presentation entertaining will engage the audience in the fun and they will learn about the topic in the process. Making the presentation personal will also contribute to the audience becoming engaged in the information because it has a direct impact or reference to them. This comes back to knowing the audience, what their background is, what they want to get from the presentation, and how best to draw them in.
Making a presentation engaging to an audience involves making it entertaining and when possible having personal tie-ins. Making a presentation entertaining through humor, visual aids, or thematic elements will give the audience an opportunity to not only learn information from the presentation but also be entertained. For many presentations the information is necessary but not exciting. This can cause the audience to tune out and lose interest in the presentation. Making the presentation entertaining will engage the audience in the fun and they will learn about the topic in the process. Making the presentation personal will also contribute to the audience becoming engaged in the information because it has a direct impact or reference to them. This comes back to knowing the audience, what their background is, what they want to get from the presentation, and how best to draw them in.
May 6, 2010
Logistical Factors in Presentations
How do logistics affect your presentation? List some logistical factors that may affect your choice of presentation aid and explain how to adjust for each factor.
The factors of time, environment, and audience are all logistical factors which can affect the presentation. The amount of time given for a presentation is essential in the planning for and delivery of the presentation. What happens though when previous presenters or unexpected factors cause the time for the presentation to be cut. Presenters need to be prepared enough so that if the presentation needs to be altered because of time it can be. Practicing the presentation to plan for time changes will give the presenter a sense of flexibility in working with any situation.
Another factor that logistically can be an issue is that of the environment. The environment for the presentation can be affected by light, size of the room, temperature, or even color of paint. Being aware of the impact of these environmental factors will enable the presenter to get a clear grasp of what the audience may or may not be feeling during the presentation. A preview of the environment will give the presenter a heads up on what to expect.
Lastly, the audience are a logistical factor that plays a part in the presentation. Knowing the demographic information will affect the content of the presentation and if not addressed and recognized ahead of time this could cause major problems during the presentation.
The factors of time, environment, and audience are all logistical factors which can affect the presentation. The amount of time given for a presentation is essential in the planning for and delivery of the presentation. What happens though when previous presenters or unexpected factors cause the time for the presentation to be cut. Presenters need to be prepared enough so that if the presentation needs to be altered because of time it can be. Practicing the presentation to plan for time changes will give the presenter a sense of flexibility in working with any situation.
Another factor that logistically can be an issue is that of the environment. The environment for the presentation can be affected by light, size of the room, temperature, or even color of paint. Being aware of the impact of these environmental factors will enable the presenter to get a clear grasp of what the audience may or may not be feeling during the presentation. A preview of the environment will give the presenter a heads up on what to expect.
Lastly, the audience are a logistical factor that plays a part in the presentation. Knowing the demographic information will affect the content of the presentation and if not addressed and recognized ahead of time this could cause major problems during the presentation.
May 5, 2010
Audience Appropriate Presentation Aids
What role does the audience play in your choice of presentation aids? How may you choose the appropriate aid for the group you deal with?
The use of presentation aids is a waste of time and resources if you are not familiar with your audience. Taking the time to research and appreciate the audiences demographic and individual characteristics will determine what presentation aids are used and to what extent.
If there is a presentation being given on the benefits of a good education and you are using presentation aids the audience will determine the format of those aids. Presenting to a group of 5th grade students will require more visual or graphic information used including, but not limited to, videos, pictures, or charts. The same information presented to a group of school board administrators will need to be more informative or substantial in its use of statistical charts, power point, or testimonials. The presentation aids are context dependent on the audience being reached.
The use of presentation aids is a waste of time and resources if you are not familiar with your audience. Taking the time to research and appreciate the audiences demographic and individual characteristics will determine what presentation aids are used and to what extent.
If there is a presentation being given on the benefits of a good education and you are using presentation aids the audience will determine the format of those aids. Presenting to a group of 5th grade students will require more visual or graphic information used including, but not limited to, videos, pictures, or charts. The same information presented to a group of school board administrators will need to be more informative or substantial in its use of statistical charts, power point, or testimonials. The presentation aids are context dependent on the audience being reached.
May 3, 2010
Cross-Cultural Motivation
Identify three different cultures you have worked with or with which you are somewhat familiar. Describe the role of motivation in each culture, and describe common types of motivation that are used by or acceptable to people in that culture.
The cultures in which I have worked, which I will discuss here, are work cultures. That is they are different working environments which have specific needs to for motivation.
The first one is a non-profit or ministry culture. In this setting the work is done for the purpose of fulfilling the mission and/or vision of the culture. Motivation is not done from a standpoint of successful business practices but rather are people being helped, lives being changed, and services being provided. Motivation is based on intrinsic motivators of a sense of compassion and a feeling of contribution to the well-being of others.
The second culture is one of a sales environment of which the main goal is to reach sales quotas and make money. Motivation is based off extrinsic factors such as commission, recognition, and status. The individuals in this culture are not concerned with what it takes to achieve the goal but instead reaching it as quickly as possible.
The last culture is that of volunteer coaches. Individuals who are serving in a capacity that receives not compensation and expects none. They are motivated by the ability to work with young people and teach a game they themselves love to play. The motivators are intrinsic and extrinsic in nature. The intrinsic motivators are the sense of passing on something to a younger generation through a game that is played. The extrinsic motivators are in the accomplishments and abilities of the young people they are coaching.
All three cultures require specific motivational techniques that would not work in the others. It is essential to understanding the culture to understand how to motivate those within the culture. As a former instructor of mine always says, "All meaning is context dependent." In this case all motivation is culture dependent.
The cultures in which I have worked, which I will discuss here, are work cultures. That is they are different working environments which have specific needs to for motivation.
The first one is a non-profit or ministry culture. In this setting the work is done for the purpose of fulfilling the mission and/or vision of the culture. Motivation is not done from a standpoint of successful business practices but rather are people being helped, lives being changed, and services being provided. Motivation is based on intrinsic motivators of a sense of compassion and a feeling of contribution to the well-being of others.
The second culture is one of a sales environment of which the main goal is to reach sales quotas and make money. Motivation is based off extrinsic factors such as commission, recognition, and status. The individuals in this culture are not concerned with what it takes to achieve the goal but instead reaching it as quickly as possible.
The last culture is that of volunteer coaches. Individuals who are serving in a capacity that receives not compensation and expects none. They are motivated by the ability to work with young people and teach a game they themselves love to play. The motivators are intrinsic and extrinsic in nature. The intrinsic motivators are the sense of passing on something to a younger generation through a game that is played. The extrinsic motivators are in the accomplishments and abilities of the young people they are coaching.
All three cultures require specific motivational techniques that would not work in the others. It is essential to understanding the culture to understand how to motivate those within the culture. As a former instructor of mine always says, "All meaning is context dependent." In this case all motivation is culture dependent.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)