They snooze, you lose, Ch.2

They snooze, you lose: Chapter 2 - Creating slides and handouts

In chapter two, Burmark (2011) elaborates on the usability of Web presentations, handouts and slides. Typical scenarios of creating a presentation with slides, handouts, then a narration is ineffective and boring. The three elements of the scenario are not the root of the problem. The problem lies in making all three elements identical and therefore redundant. Instead, the three elements should be interconnected and complementary. The purpose of slides is to present what is not available in handouts – full color. The best way to further knowledge is to include text and pictures in the slides. The handout, a different medium, has to complement the slide. It is a necessary written document and should be handed out. It should not be introduced as a link on the Web. To prevent the audience from taking needless comprehensive notes, the handouts contain all references to books, websites and other resources mentioned in the talk. Accompanying the references, the handout needs words for each picture shown in the presentation slides. Linking a picture with some words solidifies learning. The picture quickly becomes prior knowledge and proceeds to transform the unknown words into the comprehensible.

My thoughts: Burmark (2011) has several good ideas to perfect a Powerpoint presentation. The most powerful idea is to put in writing all of the important reference data, so the audience isn’t scrambling to jot it down on the sidelines of their handouts. It is also of extreme importance that the oral presentation augment the slide not just repeat it. It’s actually the only way to reduce the number of words on the slide. If done this way, the slide becomes an anchor to bring the listener back to the topic on hand if they get lost in the details of the talking.

References

Burmark, L. (2011). Creating slides and handouts. In They snooze, you lose: The educator’s guide to successful presentations (pp. 25-41). San Francisco, CA: Josey Bass.

Newell, L, (2012). Week 3 - Blogging and Boxing (Sp2012) Retrieved from: http://butleratutb.pbworks.com/w/page/50304232/Week%203%20-%20Blogging%20and%20Boxing%20%28Sp2012%29