the pedagogy of powerpoint

| this is powerpoint. |

(the takeaway tweets.)

use your smartphone to tweet with me

my name is matthew dyer.

@mtthwdyr#LIBppt

i work here.@statelibohio

this is powerpoint.

you may love to hate it.

why?

it’s not rhetorical.

is that.?

powerpoint

can

be

confusing

presentations

can be

boring

this is powerpoint.

this is powerpoint.(it doesn’t have to stink.)

intentions.document

teleprompt

present

Adapted from: “You are a Natural Born (Visual) Storyteller” by Nancy Duarte

document creation.


How many of you have attended presentations where the leader of the discussion reads, word for excruciating word, exactly what is written on

the slide? How many of you found this to be stimulating? How many of you found this to

stretch your thinking and hold your attention span? How many of you would rather eat dry,

three-day old toast?

teleprompting.


intentions.document

teleprompt

present


intentions.

teleprompt

present


intentions.

present


presentations.

present


put the power back into powerpoint.

how?it’s easier than you think.

it’s easier than you think.7

8

65

4321

9 10

matthew’s methods*.*Matthew is not a graphic designer nor is he a librarian. Matthew’s methods come from a variety of different sources which have been cited. Rarely, if ever, is a method presented actually Matthew’s, but he did go through the trouble of compiling them for you, so please don’t sue him. He’s a nice guy.

matthew’s methods.

1

Bullet Points

• This is a Bullet Point• Boring– And linear and hierarchical

• Very often bullet points are way too long• Reading is faster than talking– That’s why you’re already here– I’m probably not

From: “PR agencies are obsessed with bullet points” by Tim Dyson

how effective is this presentation?

Image via Flickr user niallkennedy


Image via Flickr user cogdogblog

(the takeaway tweet.)

bullet points are soooo Windows

95


2

less is more.

keep

it

short &

simple.

Image via eNR Services, Inc.

Yawning, and smearing my eyes with my fingers, I walked bleary eyed into the kitchen and grabbed the kettle, unhooking it from the cord. I turned the tap and drew fresh water, checking with my hands to make sure it was cold enough (the best tea comes from the coldest water!). I filled the kettle as I glanced outside for a minute across the city mist. I could almost taste the grey. The kettle was half full, so I switched the tap off and returned it to its socket. I flicked the power switch on and sifted through the cupboards, looking for biscuits. Anything above loose crumbs would do. Thankfully I found some fusty digestives. For some reason, biscuits are nicer always nicer when they're they've gone a bit dry and stale. I reached over and opened the fridge, retrieving the milk. I poured a little into a mug at the same time as grabbing the mug from the cupboard and placing it on the surface. This is a technique I made that doesn't really save any time, but makes me feel clever. The kettle began grumbling fiercely so I took it from the cord, threw a teabag into my cup and poured boiling water onto it. I watched brown swirls rise up and through the muted white of milky water. A few minutes passed. I removed and squeezed the teabag, then flicked it into the bin. I picked up my mug and left the kitchen with a nice, hot cup of strong tea.

Adapted from: “Telescopic Text” by Joe Davis

Adapted from: “Telescopic Text” by Joe Davis

i made tea.

Adapted from: “Gates, Jobs & the Zen aesthetic” by Garr Reynolds


less is more; shorter is sweeter


3

clipart is

cliché .


idea


teamwork


questions


“If you feel tempted to use a picture of two hands shaking in front of a globe, put the pencil down, step away from the desk, and think about taking a vacation or investigating aromatherapy.”

-Nancy Duarte, in Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds


clipart is caca


4

don’t be afraid of

white space

Ellen Finklestein, author of 101 Tips Every PowerPoint User Should Know

…or blue space.


Image via Flickr user mathoovAdapted from: “Gates, Jobs & the Zen aesthetic” by Garr Reynolds


white space is a fine frontier


5

don‘t let webinars become a trap.

thevirtualpresenter.com


woe to the weary webinar

presenter

matthew’s methods.6

inspiration is everywhere.


Image via Orange Barrel Media

Reasons Garfield Hates Mondays

• They start with “M”.• They aren’t Fridays.• They sneak up on you.• They have a bad reputation.• They crush the human spirit.• They crush the feline spirit.• They don’t crush the canines.

You stole that

image!

ask for permission

or D-I-Y.

asking for permission

awesomely creative librarian

awesomely creative preso

awesomely sincere ask

awesomely aggravating answer


presentation inspiration ain’t

a source of perspiration

matthew’s methods.7

state the headline

(not the obvious).

Adapted from: “Writing for the Web” by Laura Solomon

Good: The library has storytime



Better: Why your child needs storytime



Better: Why your child needs storytime

Best: How to increase your child’s literacy


This Slide Is About Our Library

• The library has books• The library has internet• The library has classes• The library has databases• The library has storytime• The library serves people• The library serves a LOT of people


Our Library Increases Literacy

i made tea.

How to Warm your Soul


headlines sell better than

flatlines


8

it’s okay to take

shortcuts.

they look like this

and save lots of this


use shortcuts; every second

counts


9

animations & transitions can create motion

& continue ideas.

Introduction

Good morning and thank you for letting me be here.

Today I’m going to talk to you about using Microsoft PowerPoint.

I’ll give you 10 tips that I’ve collected which are helpful for me, and might be just as helpful for you.


use animations &

transitions cautiously


10

trash the default.

start with a blank canvas.

practice.


Bullet Points Are Boring


Less is MoreBullet Points Are Boring


ClipArt is ClichéLess is More



Don’t Be Afraid of White Space




Avoid Webinar Traps





Inspiration is EverywhereAvoid Webinar Traps




matthew’s methods.State the Headline






It’s OK to Take Shortcuts










Animations Create Motion







Animations Create MotionTrash the Default


10 ways to keep

this

from turning

into this.

my name is matthew dyer.

@mtthwdyr#LIBppt

| this was powerpoint. |

Sometimes it’s rude to point.

the pedagogy of powerpoint

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