Computer Slide Shows: A Trap for Bad Teaching

1. Computer Slide Shows: A Trap for Bad Teaching Professor of Neuroscience Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences Texas A&M University College Station, Tx 77843-4458 E-mail: wklemm@cvm.tamu.edu

2. Slide Shows Are Ubiquitous How many of you see slide shows via televideo? How many of you see slide shows viathe Web? How many of you see slide shows in face-to-face presentations?

3. So, … what’s the problem?

4. But first, let’s admit what is good about slide shows Slick, graphical, interactive Promote organization Photos, complex drawings Animated

5. Not Everybody Loves PowerPoint relentlessly sequential and nested poor evaluation of ambiguity low quality data & evidence slogan thinking hypnotic engenders a pitch culture more style than substance discourages reasoning & evidence-based decision making See critique at http://www.edwardtufte.com promotes sound-bite thinking

7. If mis-used, slide shows can interfere with remembering… if principles of good memory practice are not honored. See http://thankyoubrain.com

8. Most common examples of misuse. What do you think they are? Using slide shows as the primary source of information and understanding Presenting a continuous long series of slides without pausing for reflection, engagement, and interaction.

10. The Trap Audience Mesmerized Content Interaction Presentation Mode Handout Crutch Presenter Interaction More insidious than traditional lecturing

11. Violations of Good Memory Practice X WORDS A picture really is “worth a thousand words”

12. Violations of Good Memory Practice Is audience in a passive, “entertain me” mode? Do you read your slides? … drone on and on? Are you and the audience interacting?

13. Let’s Think About It

14. The Better Model Use slides mostly for complex pictures or animations Interrupt & Require Engagement Re-think Distribution Of Handouts

15. Dealing with the Room Environment

16. Use of Pictures Make It Easier to Remember the Slide Show See notes field

17. What To Show On Slides › See notes.

18. Audience needs help in remembering the show content The more they remember: … the less they have to review later … the more effective their later review is

19. Audience needs help in remembering the show content The more they remember: … the less they have to review … the more effective their later review is

20. Memory Power 101 Over 150 ideas for better memory http://thankyoubrain.com

21. How long is YOUR attention span? The 10-Minute Rule

22. How Many Slide Shows Have You Seen That Are Based on the Principle of the “10-min Rule?”

24. Breaks Put in road signs, then engage with audience.

25. Periodic review slides break the monotony and help audience integrate ideas and remember.

26. Use Slides in Novel Ways A B C D See notes.

27. A Word on Animations Don’t use too many. It can become irritating and drag out the presentation

28. Three Rules for Engagement Show only a few slides at a time. Slow down, let them ruminate. Make them DO something.

29. Think Twice About Distributing Handouts During or after the show? Do they need to take notes? Refer to other sources? Include the show notes?

30. Well darn!What Can I Hand Out? Documents Slides Rich in Detail Skeleton Notes Quizzes, Assignments Data Sheets Worksheets … anything that BUILDS ON the slide show

31. Remember:YOU Are the Show Engage, entertain, motivate. It is almost impossible to design a show that does this. You, the presenter have to do it.

32. Epilogue A manuscript based on this slide show has been published. W. R. Klemm, 2007. Computer slide shows: a trap for bad teaching. College Teaching. 55 (3): 121-124.