there are three “research realities” that must be addressed

There are three “Research Realities” that must be addressed.

You have to respect the

limits of working memory

Too often we assume the “pipeline” metaphor for communication

Effective Communication with PowerPoint… Really? Working Memory


In reality, the “pipeline” metaphor is flawed.


The mind does not process a “pipeline” of information.

Sensory Long-TermWorking


The mind does not process a “pipeline” of information.


We need a new metaphor for communication.


Sensory Long-TermWorking

The “eye of the needle” metaphor reflects current research.


The “eye of the needle” metaphor reflects current research.

You have to address the two

channels

Effective Communication with PowerPoint… Really? Dual Channels

We process on two separate but related channels.

Visual Channel

Audio Channel


When someone speaks, you process the verbal information at one speed. When the speaker also displays the text of the speech, you process the information at a different speed – your mind first takes in the text visually and then verbalizes it for processing in the verbal channel. Because the same information is arriving through the same channel at different speeds, working memory has to split its efforts and reconcile the differences.


Crossing channels overloads the audience’s working memory.


Bullet points hurt learning

You have to guide attention.

Effective Communication with PowerPoint… Really? Guide Attention

There are many distractions happening now.


Use full sentence titles to summarize your slide.


PowerPoint and Word have two separate functions.

there are three “research realities” that must be addressed

Documents

learning slide

limits of working memory

sensorylongtermworking

guide attention powerpoint

pipeline metaphor

memory sensorylongtermworking

pipeline of information

needle metaphor