Slides Don’t Speak, You Do!
In a recent lecture I attended, I heard the professor say the following as he advanced to the next slide in his PowerPoint, “So what this slide talks about is…”I thought nothing of it for a moment. I’ve heard people make the same comment many times in lectures, pitches, etc. As I looked at the slide, I thought if this slide could speak it would sound like a lot like a socially-inept scientist with an agile mind and free tongue! In other words: utterly incomprehensible. I sat patiently and hoped that the professor would translate the slide into English.
If you have to explain what a slide ‘says’ then something is wrong with the way it is designed.
Slides do not talk. You do. Slides cannot teach, they can only help you teach.
Design your slides to follow what you would naturally say and to help illustrate complex or abstract ideas. Don’t use slides as your lecture notes. Take advantage of (but don’t overuse) slide transitions and animations to show the main idea and then progressively reveal the details as you talk about them.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Great post Nathan. “Any teacher who can be replaced by a machine … should be.” (Arthur C Clarke)
February 21st, 2010 at 11:37 am
Great post! I know that most would consider a statement like “Now what this slide is saying…” a throwaway line, but when I hear it, I hear a divide between the presenter and the visuals. It’s almost as if the presenter doesn’t want to admit that he designed that slide. If it’s your slide, then own it! “Now here’s what I’m trying to say with this slide…” sound much better!
This reminds me of a student I had last fall who, when asking questions about the problem set, would say things like, “Well, I think what they want us to do on this problem is…” That drove me crazy. Who is this “they” you speak of? *I* wrote that problem! I’m the one who wants you to do whatever is you think you should do! He said that he had learned to de-personalize problem sets so that he didn’t come across as blaming his teacher for a tough problem. I get that, but it adds an extra layer between the student and teacher–just like a statement like “Now here’s what this slide is saying…” adds an extra layer.
February 21st, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Thanks for your comment, Derek. Those are excellent thoughts I hadn’t considered. I would feel much more comfortable with “Here’s what I’m trying to say with this slide…” It’s great to hear your perspective as the teacher.