Science of fail
Presentations in their current form fail, not through lack of effort but due to a lack of understanding of simple education and psychological science applied to the construction and delivery of presentations. That science also affects the engagement and retention of the audience. Understanding and applying these simple, key issues will entirely change presentations.
Science of fail posts
Hypnotise a chicken
One can hypnotise a chicken by drawing a line in the sand. One can hypnotise a presentation audience by presenting a slide full of text. It all comes down to…
bulletpoints
Bulletpoints are potentially, the root of all evil. Bulletpoints are great for note-taking but should be banned everywhere else. Bulletpoints are scientifically proven to be bad for learning when used…
Academic presentations are different
One of the recurring excuses from colleagues about not improving their presentations is that academic presentations are different. The inference is that the message should be unclear and forgettable, that…
You would change
Your presentations don't work. If you knew and accepted this, you would change. Why haven't you?
Wallpaper
Choosing wallpaper for a room involves decisions of colour, pattern, and density. Buying wallpaper before you have even bought the house it is going in makes no sense. But you...
Juggling
Everyone can toss a ball up and catch it. Many people can do that with two balls. When there are three balls it is officially called juggling. Personally, I can...
In a mirror, darkly
The phrase ‘in a mirror, darkly’ comes from the Bible. It describes a first-century mirror, not made of glass but of polished metal. What that showed was a poor, dark...
Thank you.
"Thank you." That phrase you've been aiming to deliver for weeks now. You have finished your talk. There is polite applause, you smile gratefully, and maybe even someone congratulates you....