• Different purposes for presentation
- short technical presentations
- short non-technical presentations
- computer with data projector
• The main elements in a computer based presentation are
- other media types, including sound
• Typical technology presentation problems are,
- unfamiliar with the technology
- layout is not suited to computer projector
- presenter stops presenting, and starts using the computer
- the presentation is overwhelming
• Some data on visual presentations1
The Numbers on Why You Need Visuals- 1.Seeing makes the most sense. Studies show that sight is the most used human sense. A whopping 75% of all environmental stimuli is received through visual reception (Doug Malouf). So, the best presenters use visuals to maximize the impact of their presentation!
Environmental Stimuli Reception - 2.Visuals are the best way to teach your audience. According to a recent University of California at Los Angeles study, 55% percent of what an audience learns comes directly from the visual messages seen during a presentation- compared to 38% from audio messages. By combining audio and visual presentation messages, presenters can ensure their objectives are met.
Impact of Communication - 3.Visuals increase the retention of messages. A Wharton Research Center study has shown that the retention rate of verbal only presentations is approximately 10%. However, when you combine visual messages with verbal communication, you increase the retention rate to nearly 50%. A 400% increase! Why not use visual aids to help your audience remember your message?
Message Retention - 4.Visuals help you meet your audience objectives. When presenters use visual aids in their presentations, they are twice as likely (67% vs. 33%) to achieve their audience objectives, than speakers who don't use visual aids. (Decker Communications). By incorporating effective visuals in your presentation, you increase your ability to communicate your message to your audience.
Achieving Objectives - 5.Reduce the length of your meeting. A recent study from the University of Minnesota found that the average length of meetings in which visuals were used were 26.8% shorter (26.7 minutes vs. 18.6 minutes) than meetings in which no visuals were used. With executive salaries at several hundred dollars an hour, visuals can save corporate executives a lot of time and money!