Organisation: The Resource Center
Category: Audiovisuals Aids
Description: Planning Audiovisual Aids
Audiovisual aids--including overhead transparencies, flip charts, slides, chalkboards (and occasionally film and video)--can supply added impact and clarity to your, presentation. You can use A/-V to visually reinforce the points made verbally in your presentation, to summarize the points you will make, as well as those you have already made, and to visually clarify important concepts and analogies. Audiovisual aids not only help your target group follow your presentation, but they provide support to the presenter by helping to keep, you on track.
The key to preparing effective audiovisual aids is to remember that they are only aids. Their role is to add a visual dimension to the points that you made orally. They cannot make those points for you; they can only reinforce them. When you plan for audiovisual aids, follow these simple guidelines:
DO use them to summarize or show the sequence of content.
DO use them to visually interpret statistics by preparing charts and graphs that illustrate what you will say.
DO use them to illustrate and reinforce your support statements.
DO use them to add visual clarity to your concepts and ideas.
DO use them to focus the attention of the target group on key points.
DON'T project copies of printed or written text. Instead, summarize the information and show only the key points on the visual aids. If the group must read every word, use handouts for reading, either before or after your presentation.
DON'T put yourself in the role of aiding your visuals: A presentation is primarily an oral form of communication. If your only function is to read the information on your overheads or slides, the target group will become easily bored.
DON'T use copies of your transparencies as handouts. They reinforce what you are saying-- they don't say it for you. If you want your target group to remember what you meant, you'll need to provide written text in addition to any key point summaries or charts that you need for your transparencies.
DON'T use charts, graphs, or tables that contain more information than you want to provide. The group will have difficulty focusing on the point that you're tying to make.
Choosing Appropriate Media
You may wish to combine different types of media in a single presentation. The media used most often are overhead projection transparencies, flip charts, slides, blackboards, and handouts. You may occasionally use videotapes and/or films.
Plan to practice using several different media in this course. You will find that practicing will increase your comfort level, and therefore afford you the flexibility of choosing the most appropriate medium. In the future, use the following guidelines to help you choose the media best suited to your presentation:
Types Of Media And Their Uses
Overhead Transparencies
Used for displaying charts and graphs. High visibility for large groups. Showing summaries, sequences, relationships, and process steps.
Flip Charts
Used for small groups (under 20). Ad lib charting and graphing. Showing summaries and sequences. Listing, recording, outlining. Developing charts. Instructions. Reinforcing group contributions.
Blackboards/Whiteboards
Spontaneous presentations. Listing/recording. When no other media is available.
Slides
Displaying high quality artwork. Displaying a series of photos. Demonstrating- a "hands-on" process. Creating a mood, or inspiring.
Videotapes and Films
Demonstrating a process. Creating a mood, or inspiring. Presenting* testimonials. Supplementing presentation ideas.
Written Handouts
Providing background information. "Sending home" your ideas. Reminder of follow-up activities. Providing a record of presentation. Weighting a variety of alternatives. Clarifying abstract or complex topics.
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