Roadmaps are for roads, not presentations. Setting out the plan of the presentation does not engage the audience, it may in fact disengage them. It simply wastes time. Keep roadmaps for roads.
This is the second paragraph of the blog post. It will be followed by three more and then a conclusion. Then, probably, a call to action. Are you ready? Then I shall begin.
The use of an introductory slide with a roadmap is not educationally necessary nor does nothing to add to the presentation. There is value to the audience understanding why they are in the audience for a presentation; this should be explicit in the introductory sentences. It may detract if your proposed structure does not align with that of every individual in the audience adding potential confusion or conflict. The map is unlikely to be precise and in the gaps of explanation, further doubt may be raised. A roadmap does not help the audience navigate the presentation, you do that as the presenter. And realistically, the audience has no choice. A roadmap at the beginning does not help.
There are those who believe the roadmap is somehow a place to show off their educationalist background by stating, “the aims and objectives of this presentation are as follows.” Unfortunately conflating the two merely highlights a lack of understanding of educational theory and is as educationally valid as the multiple bulletpoints that follow. Good education does not require the structure of a presentation to be detailed.
Roadsigns during the talk are not required either. If it is clear by your statement that, “these are the results of the study” then whilst dual signalling has some value it is hardly required for something so obvious. The thought that the audience require such signposts throughout the presentation to understand where they are speaks to the requirement for explanation rather than more signposts. Worse, it potentially echoes the desire of some audience members to solely read rather listen. This is not to be encouraged. Slides during a presentation should explain themselves without titles.
A roadmap at the beginning of presentation is not required. Did the roadmap in para 2 help you? How many paragraphs were there? I know lots of people do it, that doesn’t make it right. Roadmaps are for roads.