PowerPointLessNess

     In his article "Scoring Power Points," Jamie McKenzie warns presenters about the dangers of powerpointlessness (http://www.fno.org/sept00/powerpoints.html#anchor3).  Have you ever watched as a PowerPoint presentation actually took over an event and became the end in itself?  Sometimes you can't even find the person doing the presentation--they have been absorbed into the electronic abyss.  How can we use a tool like PowerPoint without it using us instead?  Even more so, can we teach our young people to use this tool effectively to help them on their educational journey?

     The top hint that McKenzie gives us is to keep the focus on the main goal.  Whatever our students are presenting needs to shine through and not be obscured by the media.  The presentation should be like an iceberg (no, not cold).  What is visible to the audience is only a small portion of the development that has been prepared for the topic.  Use the slides, pictures, bullets, etc. to prove the main points.

     His second suggestion is for the aesthetics.  Typically, students just want to finish the assignment.  We need to teach them how to present themselves winsomely.  Remember that people tend to have short attention spans.  Think about who the audience is and what their interests are.  It is important not to go overboard with gimmicks, instead include memorable images or wording that will stick in the audience's mind.  Put effort into how each page is built.

     Lastly, is you.  The PowerPoint is not the end in and of itself.  You are the one that people are listening to.  Look at them as you speak.  Have deliberate and powerful wording planned.  They already know what the slides say--they can read--instead tell them what your message really is.  Be who you really are.  You have an important message to convey.  Keep your tool in its proper place as a tool in your hand and use it to the best effect.