Powerful Presentations Using Prezi


Handout - Powerful Presentations Workshop #1: What Does a Great Presentation Look Like?

 

Handout - Powerful Presentations Workshop #2: Using Google Forms for Peer Assessment

 

Handout - Powerful Presentations Workshop #3: Using Prezi to Build Powerful Presentations

 



 

 

 

 

1) Tips for Creating a Great Presentation?

 

  1. KNOW YOUR PURPOSE:
    1. What is your goal?  What is the purpose of the presentation?  Is this a presentation or a lecture?  Who is your audience?  How long do you have to present?  What are the most important ideas your trying to deliver?  Remember: a presentation is supposed to be informative AND engaging - if information was the only point they could simply read an essay....
  2. ORGANIZE YOUR IDEAS
    1. Organize your ideas!  What are the ideas and details you want everybody to remember and which are less important?  Know your limits and don't overdo it...no more than 3-5 main ideas/arguments for any presentation (1 or 2 is best!)  Constantly ask yourself "So what?"  Is this idea, story, detail, or image important?  Can you pass the elevator test - could you explain your presentation in less than a minute, from the top of your head?
  3. PLAN OFFLINE
    1. Plan on PAPER!  Before touching a computer, sketch out your ideas on paper.  Start with the big ideas and then supporting evidence and examples.  Then and only then should you think about how you will illustrate these ideas with images, symbols, animations, or other visuals.  And don't forget to plan your hook and conclusion. 
  4. MAKE IT MEMORABLE
    1. Tell a story - "it is useful to think of your entire 30 minute presentation as an opportunity to "tell a story." Good stories have interesting, clear beginnings, provocative, engaging content in the middle, and a clear, logical conclusion."
    2. Use powerful images that relate directly to the idea you are trying to get across. 
      1. Images should be as simple as possible and non-distracting.  Click here for a list of places you can find good images.  You should learn how to crop, blend, fade, and pull-out select parts of images (Don't have Photoshop or Fireworks? - try using www.fotoflexer.com or download GIMP - both are free)
      2. Your slides should have plenty of "white space" or "negative space." Do not feel compelled to fill empty areas on your slide with your logo or other unnecessary graphics or text boxes that do not contribute to better understanding. The less clutter you have on your slide, the more powerful your visual message will become." 
      3. Limit Text and bullet points!  The best slides have no text at all.  If you want to give your audience more information, create a handout that you give them after your presentation.  Try limiting your slides to no more than 8 words - unless you have a real juicy quote!
      4. Use HIGH-Quality images and video - no clipart, fuzzy images with low resolution, no cheesy animations etc. etc. - be professional!
      5. Use appropriate charts and graphs. 
      6. Choose the right colors.  Colors should have high contrast and should project well.  If in doubt, use a light background (white) with dark text.
    3. Start strong - the first 2-3 minutes are the most important - think of a great hook!
    4. Keep it brief - the attention span of young kids is about 5-7 minutes, adolescents 10-12, adults 13-15 minutes.  
    5. Have your audience do something - or break up your presentation into appropriate chunks.
  5. BE CONFIDENT, WELL REHEARSED AND PREPARED
    1. The more you know your material and the more personally involved you are the smoother your presentation will go.  Rehearse your presentation at least 2 or 3 times.  Focus on timing and leave yourself extra time - you can always ask for questions from the audience to fill extra time.
    2. Have a passion and then show it!
    3. Move away from the podium.  Engage the audience with your proximity and body language.  Use a remote clicker.  Make good eye contact.

 

Great Presentation by 11-Year Old Birke Baehr

 

Another Great Presentation by 12-Year Old Adora Svitak

 

25 TED Videos Every Parent Should Watch

 

2) How do we teach our students how to deliver powerful presentations?

 

3) Tips for Using Prezi