I have really enjoyed this discussion of the use of Power Point - and like with any technology it's not the technology so much that makes or breaks the results - it's how the system is used or implemented - Garbage in, garbage out.

I learned a lot about presenting through a training class at my last employer given by Zemo Trevathan on how to give a good presentation and he talked a lot about the use of power point.  Here's his company website - http://www.zemotrevathan.com/home.php.  Here's a short list of what he shared about good use of power point.
	1.  Don't fill the screen with words - obviously!
	2.  Get people involved - asked questions where folks raise their hands or call our answers - use a quiz that they complete (and keep to themselves) beforehand and then you answer the questions as you move through the presentation.
	2.  Try to organize in threes - three areas to cover, three bullet points - he said research has shown people can only remember up to three things in their active brain - so organizing in threes (sections, points, etc.) fits with how the brain works.
	3.  Use colors to identify sections of the presentations or different topical areas.
	4.  Use pictures and movement in the power point - this helps folks remember what you say - when they see that picture again (and he said it does not have to be related to the topic) they will remember what you said while they were looking at the picture.
	
After the presentation I had the chance to chat with him and asked him about people who fall asleep in a presentation.  Do you wake them up or what??  He said let them sleep, because even in the most engaging presentation where 99% of the attendees are with you, if someone can't stay awake they obviously needed the sleep more than the information your presenting.

Those who read this far - thanks - and happy presenting.
Caroline

 
Caroline J. Walters, MA, MLS
University Records Officer/Records Management
Information Security, Policy, and Records Office (ISPRO)
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University of Virginia, 2400 Old Ivy Rd.
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