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
Listening is not learning
Listening is not learning. The impact of The Matrix thought that reading is not teaching recently struck me as having an important and essential corollary; listening is not learning. This…
information is not knowledge
Information is not knowledge. Sitting in a library does not make you clever. Pouring water over your head does not satisfy a thirst. Reading out a ton of information in…
doing it wrong
You are doing it wrong if you think a presentation is about the transmission of a large quantity of information. You are doing it wrong if you think the presentation…
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction film in which humans experience a world that is not real. Morpheus explains to Neo that his perception of the world is computer…
only one way to present?
A recent interchange on twitter was sullied by one commenter using the phrase “presentation gestapo”. This abuse was intended to express their disapproval of people who express an opinion on…
Room 101
Room 101 is a room in The Ministry of Love from the book by George Orwell, “1984.” Here the Party breaks down the resistance of prisoners exposing them to “their…
Busy slides
“Busy slides” happen for many reasons; the script, something to read, the handout, what everyone does, “because of learning styles”, ”academic” and because it is quick and easy. They are…
Presentations are your responsibility
Presentations are your responsibility. Presentation skills are not innate. Like all other professional skills, they require education, example and feedback to develop. Unfortunately, there is little education, the standard achieved is at…