Designing An Effective Presentation
Presenters + Knowledge of Adult Learning = A Strong Successful Session
Presenters are the lifeblood of adult continuing educational experiences. It is the presenter who ultimately engages the attendee in learning. Attendees, as adult learners, come to your session with specific needs and expectations.
Attendees Come With:
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Problems they need to solve |
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Questions regarding standards of performance |
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A wealth of experience to share |
Attendees Seek:
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Current information presented in a timely manner |
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Knowledge gained through interaction and dialogue |
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The opportunity to give and receive immediate feedback to the questions, issues and problems the presentation elicits |
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Learning environments that give sufficient time to share expertise with colleagues and experts |
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Learning formats that promote critical thinking |
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Solutions to job-related problems and issues |
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Information that enhances job performance |
Effective Presentation Tips:
Offer the latest information on topics as it relates to the attendee's job
Allow interaction and two-way dialogue among the attendees
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Dialogue between the learner and the expert (presenter) |
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Dialogue between the learner and colleagues (fellow attendees) |
Invite instant feedback
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Learners like to share on the spot, at the time a question occurs, not wait until the end when time may not permit a thorough coverage of their issue |
Encourage and engage critical thinking
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Roundtable discussions, scenario analysis, role playing, and problem solving exercises are some presentation formats that lend themselves to adult learning at its best |
Offer various ways (solutions) to change job-related behavior
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Adaptations of solutions to work-related problems generates changes on the job. Direct applications of learning to the participant's job makes learning relevant and useable. |
Bring the learning experience to a conclusion (the “to go” piece)
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Learner-focused presentations take the time to synthesize and integrate the highlights of the session topics that are covered. Pulling the presentation together at the end is as simple as asking yourself and the learners: |
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What have you learned? |
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What new idea, information, connection, etc., will you take back to your profession? |
What's the Bottom Line for a Presenter?
Presenters are the dynamic facilitators of adult learning. Your job is to move beyond passing along information to engage the adult learner through dialogue and interaction.
Download Checklist for your next presentation!