The Element Interactivity Effect, John Sweller

Though it has huge implications on how presentations are made, I've never heard these ideas discussed apart from the work of John Sweller and his associates and the academic report,
Visualisation and Instructional Design. http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/trynew/sweller-visualinstructionaldesign.pdf

Information Structure, John Sweller

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I have prepared an unusual model addressing an unusual continuum, Low Element Interactivity Material to High-Element Interactivity Material.

When it comes to preparing material for a speech or presentation, including the visual aids you use, the above variables are a huge issue.

On one end of the scale, are, say, four elements, A and B and C and D. These four factors are the key points of your presentation.

On the "low" end of the scale, each item can be discussed and learned independently and apart from the others elements, , , or low in interactivity with one another. They can be presented in serial or sequence, as completely different topics.

At the "high" end of the scale, each different element is very dependant on the other elements you are presenting or high in interactivity with one another. Necessarily, they must be learned in conjunction with one another.

The latter leads to what scientist call, cognitive overload. And to the best of your ability, you should design material that eliminates as much of "it" as you can.

But, how is this done. I suggest five different approaches, , ,

1. "Dumb it Down." Those are someone else's words, not mine. While I strongly believe in presenting in as simple a form as possible, but I don't think you should eliminate any academic value or challenge from any topic.

So you can almost eliminate this point.

2. Back to Basics. People do need to know and understand the basics of anything, , , and this is a very good way to approach any presentation. Building a speech around your A and B and C and D is not always a bad thing.

3. Study the Continuum. Look at your topic and see how much material is "very interactive." In today's complex world, there will be a lot of this interconnected information.

Then settle on a "middle of the road" approach. It might be is how does A relates to B. How A relates to C and finally how A relates to D. That's only three points to your whole presentation. At least, you'll have A covered pretty well.

4. Know Your Audience. This crazy scale might go completely across your audience. Some may want "milk" and others "high-cut meat."

5. The Fire in the Kitchen! There is always a temptation to cover the whole thing, including topics like "The B Picture," "The Three C's" and "The D Factors." My advice, DON'T. There will always be another day and another presentation. Most of the time, "less is more."

If you do choose to tackle the "whole enchilada," be sure to give your audience a lot of help with well-thought-out handouts, or visual aids or mnemonic tools, etc. or all of the above.

Wayne

8 Viewpoints of the Visuals You Use, Wayne Kronz

Part of the my main seminar, How to Draw Your Message for Fun and Huge Profit, is a small section about the eight (8) mindsets you should have toward the visual aids you have created for your presentation.

8 Viewpoints of the Visuals You Use, Wayne Kronz

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1. First of it all, any visual aid that you create for any presentation should be considered a “model” of your message. By definition, a model is “a replica of the real thing” or “reality”.

2. Think further of your new born graphic as being the essence of what you are about to present. It’s English definition is the "basic element of anything," in concentrated form.

Such is your model to your message.

3. Your visual aid is your own private opportunity to “draw your message.” Or, to take it out of a spoken and written form and put it into a graphic form.

4. This is where you consciously think and say, “This is how it works.” It’s your actual delivery of your message to your audience.

5 and 6. For your visual message to have it’s best impact, it must, both represent the smallest detail and the big picture of what you have to say. And it is not always easy to do.

7. Think of your theme model as being your partner as your teaching tool.

8. And, last but not least, is what your visual aid is to your audience; a tool that will equip them to better and more quickly learn what you are teaching.

Bonus: It will further help them teach others what you have taught them.

So, as you create and use your visual aids in your presentation, always be aware of the powerful tool you have in your hand.

Wayne

Thank You Power, Deborah Norville

My favorite topics have to do with the design and use of visual aids in public speaking. But there is another subject that is dear to my heart; the constant practice Gratitude.

Thank You Power, Deborah Norville

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I am a great fan of the research of Michael E. McCullough and Robert A. Emmons, which Deborah Norville refers to through out her book, Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You.

My favorite lesson to teach is entitled, The 12 Lifetine Benefits of Gratitude.

Deborah, a network anchor person, has taken to the topic of like a duck to water. And her book is remarkable, and must reading for any person who wants to make life meaningful.

Here is my Quotation Slideshow of this very fine publication.

Wayne

Three Visual Aid Principles

By now you can begin to see my ideas at work as I design visual aids for public presentation. Focus your attention on three principles, , ,

1. The white background. Why? Because readability tests say that text written on a white background is more readable than any other color. (There are two “close seconds”, , , very light yellow and very light blue.) (Deiss, 2009)

But to insure that you can print a Microsoft Word (or Publisher, etc.) version for a film transparency or for a handout, , , I will always stick to the white background.

2. The white background. (Part 2) For iPhones and other smart phones, etc. Plug this into your hard drive. In the future, every visual aid you use in any video media can ultimately wind up on YouTube.com or forty (or so) other video hosting services, , , whether you put it on there or not.

Then, here comes the ever-expanding handheld gang. (Twenty million iphones, alone and growing--fast.)

All of the original slides I am posting on this blog will look good and read well on a two and one half inch screen. And, they will show well even in a dark environment.

(I guarantee you, you’ve never heard any graphic production advice concerning the huge and exploding, handheld market.)

3. Highly readable text (or type). First, all the “must read” info is in a basic bold typeface. Second, there’s always high contrast with the background. And, third, , , the amount of text is held to the fewest possible elements.

These simple lessons give you some clues as to how I create and use visual aids in my speaking and writing. It’s all about your audience. Every graphic you use as an information merchant must be a very user friendly form.

Tell me what you think. More later.

Wayne