effective conference presentations why do a presentation? it’s an expected part of academic work...
TRANSCRIPT
Effective Conference Presentations
Why do a presentation?
It’s an expected part of academic work
To present your ideas To receive critical feedback To gain visibility To network To develop your presentation skills To add a line to your CV
Common types
Paper presentation Roundtable Poster session Panel Symposium
A question to begin….
What to you are three key characteristics of an effective academic presentation?
Questions for today?
What do you hope to learn? What kind of presentation are you
most likely to make? What makes you the most anxious
about presenting? Other questions you have?
Points to consider
Total time available to YOU Ratio of presentation vs. discussion Norms and traditions of the
conference Space and equipment available Flow and pace if others are involved Difference/diversity of participants ‘Takeaways’ for participants.
Paper presentation
Do respect your audience Do keep to the time limits Do allow time for questions Do locate your work intellectually Do limit the details you provide Do be professional and engaging.
Paper presentation
Don’t read your paper Don’t use all the time talking Don’t rely totally on technology
(have a Plan B) Don’t end with a “thud.”
Roundtable presentation
Roundtable presentation
Do consider the setting and its limits Do provide a handout or other form of
visual guide to the discussion Do take advantage of the small group Do acknowledge those who join late
but don’t repeat for their benefit Do have contact information available.
Roundtable presentation Don’t be disappointed if few show up Don’t disturb others at nearby tables Don’t try to cover too much material Don’t get into one-on-one conversations
and ignore the other participants Keep it informal but informative.
Poster session
Poster session
Do pay attention to the specifications provided
Do provide something to draw them in
Do use colour and large fonts Do present only the essence Do be available for questions Do provide contact information.
Poster session
Don’t use only text Don’t ignore those who are reading
your poster…invite engagement Don’t assemble your poster while
the session is underway.
Resources for poster sessions
Thanks to Lesley Andres:
http://faculty.washington.edu/scporter/INQUAposters.htmlhttp://www.slam.org/meetings/guidelines/poster.phphttp://cte.umdnj.edu/career_development/
career_posters.cfmhttp://webguru.neu.edu/communicating/poster/http://www.owinet.rice.edu/~cainproj/designing.html
Panel
Do know your sequence in the program
Do know something about the other presentations
Do link your comments to others Do contribute provocative ideas Do finish in the allotted time.
Panel
Don’t read your “position” Don’t be awed by “famous”
panelists Don’t infringe on the time of
others.
Symposium
Do know the purpose—usually to present DIFFERENT perspectives
Do know something about the views of the other participants
Do your best to present a distinct, well-argued perspective
Do stay within your allotted time.
Symposium
Don’t spend so much time thanking the others for their contributions that you don’t have time to make your own!
Don’t be awed by “famous” presenters
Don’t infringe on the time of others.
Ten rules for keeping your audience awake…..(Wineburg, 2004)
1. Your talk is not your paper2. Your data mean more to you than
to your audience3. Middle-aged people lose their
eyesight4. Never project a quotation without
reading it5. Look at your audience
Ten rules (cont.)
6. If you have to read your text, learn how to do it…and practice
7. Do not use PowerPoint until you have read The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint (Tufte, 2003) and PowerPoint Antidote (Norvig, 2000)
8. An academic talk is a diamond—the beginning and the end are key
Ten rules (cont.)
9. You may not say, “Just one more thing” (Refer to Rule #1)
10. Think coda—find some way—elegantly, gracefully, and memorably—to bring your talk to a stinging conclusion.
Reference
Wineburg, S. (May, 2004). Educational Researcher, pp. 13-14.
Using PowerPoint…
“Powerpoint presentations: The good, the bad and the ugly”
www.shkaminski.com/Classes/Handouts/powerpoint.htm
Norvig, P. (2000). “PowerPoint antidote”www.norvig.com/Gettysburg
Tufte, E. R. (2003). “The cognitive style of PowerPoint.”
www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/books_pp
Graphics add interest…
Use your own photos Use free graphics and photos Use low cost stock photos or
graphics Sharon Hu, formerly of EDST,
recommends http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php Observe copyright and usage rules!
Use them to locate...
UBCVancouver
LiULinköping
UTSSydney
UWCCape Town
Use them to present data…
Age Distribution–Overall
(n=117)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
< 40 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 >64
Use them to tell a story…
…that engages participants…
…and provokes reflection.
Videos are also effective
YouTube.com can be a good source
Download videos and embed them Think about sound! Observe copyright and usage
rules.
Bits of advice…
Model being a “good teacher” Be confident but humble A little humour is a good thing Invite others into conversation Practice, practice, practice Don’t overuse PowerPoint’s bells
and whistles!
Have fun and learn!
Enjoy yourself and learn from the experience. Watch what others do right and emulate the best.
The End!