1. PowerPointlessness
Cathy Rodriguez
Sarah Silva
Rebecca Gould
iTAC
509 Hale Library
532-4918

2. Overview
¡ Examples: How to ruin a
presentation
¡ Instruction and Presentation Tips
¡ Technical Tips
¡ Questions and Answers

3. Instruction and Presentation Tips
¡ Stick to the basics
¡ Focus on the main point(s)
¡ Simplify, simplify, simplify
¡ Divide content into chunks
¡ Eliminate distractions
¡ Make it interesting & interactive

4. Stick to the basics…

5. Basics about fonts
¡ AVOID ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
¡ Use upper and lower case letters
¡ Sans-serif fonts are easier to read
¡ Italics are difficult to read
¡ Use normal or bold fonts
¡ Avoid overuse of underlines

6. Basics about fonts
S S
Sans-serif Serif

7. Basics about fonts
¡ This is Verdana 12
¡ This is Verdana 18
¡ This is Verdana 24
¡ This is Verdana 32
¡ This is Verdana 36
¡ This is Verdana 44
¡ This is Verdana 56

8. Basics about color
¡ Use eye-pleasing colors
¡ Use high contrast
¡ Use a complementary
color scheme

9. Focus on the main point(s)…

10. Computers and Mistakes
¡ Computers
rarely make mistakes. Most
computer mistakes are the result of
l No procedures/directions.
l Inappropriate processing instructions.
Too Busy
l Inaccurate
l Glitches/bugs/errors in the program code.
l Poor systems design.
Types of
computer-
related
mistakes

11. Common computer errors
¡ No procedures/directions
¡ Inappropriate processing
instructions Focused
¡ Inaccurate
¡ Glitches/bugs/errors in the
program code
¡ Poor systems design

12. Types of computer mistakes
¡ Data entry or capture errors
¡ Errors in computer programs
¡ Handling files Focused
¡ Inadequate control of output
¡ Inadequate control of environmental
conditions

13. Simplify…

14. Simplify
¡ Use few colors
¡ Use limited fonts and styles
¡ Use numbers for lists with sequence
¡ Use few transitions
¡ Limit the use of sound
¡ Design your own template or edit
one

16. Simple exponential smoothing
St = ά At + (1-ά)St-1
ά =judgment factor (.1-.3)
St = new forecast
At = last demand
St-1 = last forecast
New forecast = judgment factor (last
year’s actual) +(1-judgement factor)
(last year’s budget)

17. Simple exponential smoothing
St = ά At + (1-ά)St-1
ά =judgment factor (.1-.3)
St = new forecast
At = last demand
St-1 = last forecast

18. Use simple graphs and tables

19. 90 80-90
80 70-80
70 60-70
60 50-60
50 40-50
40
30-40
30
20-30
20 North 10-20
10
0-10
0 East
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Figure 1. Quarterly percent earnings by region

20. 90
80
70
60
50 East
40 West
North
30
20
10
0
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Figure 1. Quarterly percent earnings by region

21. Divide content into chunks…

22. Learning Styles
The analytical learning style tends to
view information as bounded, objective,
and isolated. The relational learning
style views information as embedded in
a larger context and as inherently
unbounded and subjective.
Cohen, 1969

23. Two Learning Styles
The analytical learning style tends to view
information as bounded, objective, and
isolated.
The relational learning style views
information as embedded in a larger
context and as inherently unbounded and
subjective.
Cohen, 1969

24. Learning Styles
Analytical Relational
Focus on detail. Focus on global.
Impersonal materials. Social contexts.
Abstract ideas. Verbal presentation.
Relevance unnecessary. Relevance important.
Independent opinion. Consider other opinions.
Sequential/structured. Improvisational/intuitive.
Persistent regardless Need stimulating work.
of interest.

25. Learning Styles
• Analytical - Focus on detail
• Relational – Total picture

26. Eliminate distractions…

28. TO SUMMARIZE
¡ How we view information:
l This view of information is how we view
the world and its contents and then
what we do about that information.
l The logical view of information focuses
on how we need to arrange information
in the physical world and the virtual
world.
¡ This is a collection of information about
the world and its surroundings.
¡ The dictionary provides the structure by
which we organize material and make
sense of the world around us.

29. Make it interesting & interactive…

33. Technical Tips
● Making a master slide
● Adding transitions, animation, and
sound
● Adding interactivity
--the blank slide
--annotating a slide
● Printing
● and more…

34. Where to go for help?

35. In summary…
¡ Remember the basics – font, color
¡ Use techniques to focus attention
¡ Keep it simple
¡ Organize information in chunks
¡ Get rid of distractions
¡ Keep the material interesting and
include interactivity