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Hi, Adam:

Giving a public presentation about something one has researched can be
an extremely powerful learning experience. It taps the very highest
thinking skills and forces organization and strong storytelling.

But how about doing a presentation with no visuals? The visuals are a
tool, but they're not necessary. PowerPoint and Keynote are amazing
tools and they're nearly ubiquitous, but they're only helpful if they're
used to graphically illustrate points that could be lost without them.
They enhance a message, rather than embodying it. Going without slides
forces you to illustrate your points within the talk itself and rely on
your organization and self-confidence to make your point. Debates, for
example, are generally conducted without slideware.

One of the worst things you can do with slideware is to use it to
construct the talk itself. That's not what it's designed for. And using
it that way can (and almost always does) lead to poorly organized,
impenetrable presentations. Edward Tufte blames the Challenger space
shuttle disaster on poor use of PowerPoint. People are forever handing
out paper copies of their slides -- I'm always thinking, "Why, aren't
you going to show them?"

There's a brand new book out that's more geared toward presentation pros
but there's nothing in it that couldn't be grasped by a "typical" high
school junior -- "Slide:ology" by Nancy Duarte. Her firm, Duarte Design,
did the visuals for "An Inconvenient Truth" (please, no political
commentary here -- just saying, the visuals are the top of the game).
She goes through the whole process of creating a great presentation,
step by step, and it begins with a Sharpie and a stack of sticky notes.
Actually, it begins with a good idea, then moves on toward how to
present and illustrate it.

Hope that helps,
---Bob.


/************************************************/
/* Bob Hassett, Head Librarian                  */
/* Luther Jackson Middle School (081)           */
/* 3020 Gallows Road                            */
/* Falls Church, Virginia  22042                */
/* 703.204.8133                                  */
/* www.fcps.edu/LutherJacksonMS/library/library.html */
/* Bob.Hassett@fcps.edu                      */
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See you in the Library!

-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of NHS Webmaster
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 7:12 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: TAR->TECH->SEC->Bored with PowerPoint/Searching for
Alternatives

Let me preface my request. I am dealing with 57 "Laureate" students,
mostly seniors. Requirements for the Laureate program include having
taken at least 4 Advanced Placement courses. I am dealing with very high
level students who will be writing an in-depth research paper, which
will conclude with an oral presentation (about 30 minutes) before a
panel of educators and community members.

We have always used PowerPoint for presentations, but I am looking for
some alternatives. Any suggestions?

TIA

Adam

Adam Janowski
Library Media Specialist
Naples High School
1100 Golden Eagle Circle
Naples, FL 34102
E-mail: NHSWebmaster@collier.k12.fl.us
Phone: 239-377-2210
Fax: 239-377-2370
Library web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/lmc/ School web site:
http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/ Pursuant to School Board policy and
administrative procedures, this e-mail system is the property of the
School District of Collier County and to be used for official business
only.  In addition, all users are cautioned that messages sent through
this system are subject to the Public Records Law of the State of
Florida and also to review by the school system.  There should be no
expectation of privacy.

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/************************************************/
/* Bob Hassett, Head Librarian                  */
/* Luther Jackson Middle School (081)           */
/* 3020 Gallows Road                            */
/* Falls Church, Virginia  22042                */
/* 703.204.8133                                  */
/* www.fcps.edu/LutherJacksonMS/library/library.html */
/* Bob.Hassett@fcps.edu                      */
/************************************************/

See you in the Library!

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