Posted by Lora Boiago on May 2, 2013 4:23:00 PM

 

16 Visual Presentation Techniques Used by Top Learning Consultants

Tips from Instructional Design Specialists

instructional design consultant Have you ever wondered how much of an impact adding audio/visuals can have on your presentations?  How about the most effective types of audio and visual techniques?  We looked into the best practices and techniques used by our top learning consultants and asked them what they thought.  Fact is, incorporating an appropriate balance of visual and audio into your meeting agenda will significantly increase effectiveness and level of engagement.  Surprisingly, many professionals fail to use whiteboards, flipcharts and handouts as aiding tools during important presentations.

Increased Retention

A recent research study looked into the retention rates of meeting attendees.  Retention rates were captured under three distinct meeting structures: presenter only, visual demonstration only and a balance of both a presenter and visuals.

The research revealed the following retention rates after 3 hours and 3 days, respectively:

 

Time Lapsed

    After 3 Hours                 

    After 3 Days

 Presenter Only  70%  10%
 Audio/Visual Only  72%  20%
 Presenter and Audio/Visual                                    85%  65%


Another recent study, undertaken by the University of Edinburgh, asked respondents to select emotion terms that they thought would be frequently perceived in a meeting.  The top answer – mentioned from more than two third of the participants – was “boring”.  Attractive audio and visual techniques, such as whiteboards, flipcharts and handouts, will draw and maintain the attention and consideration of participants.


So the old saying “a picture is worth 1,000 words” stands true…

Including audio and visuals into your presentation can have a great impact and, when used and managed properly, can be your best friend.  A visual is anything you show to your audience to aid them in understanding the point of your presentation.  Visual aids are particularly important when the content makes demands on the attention or understanding of attendees, either because the data is highly technical or because the information is new and unfamiliar.

In our recent blog titled ‘Training Consultants Guide: How to Facilitate Effective Meetings’, it is suggested you first determine the purpose of the meeting.  The same principle of behavior stands true when preparing for presentations.  Too often, professionals begin essential presentations with no clear structure, resulting in a failed attempt to have content properly ingested.

Read how you can become a professional at facilitating effective meetings.

Once the purpose and goal of the presentation is determined, a balanced combination of audio and visual techniques can help reinforce the material.  Although the purpose of the techniques will vary in form and intention, there are essential features all techniques should posses.

They should:

  • Have a definite purpose that aligns with the purpose of the meeting 
  • Be relevant to the content
  • Be brief and uncomplicated

The main thing to consider when choosing visual aids for your presentation is whether or not the visual adds to, or distracts from, your central objective.  You should justify every visual you use from the audience's point of view.  Be sure to design your presentation with a doable goal ("My audience will learn three ways to design a corporate training program") and then choose audio and visual techniques that speak specifically to your key points.

Learning Consultants 16 Audio/Visual Techniques Tips Checklist (Overhead, Flipcharts, Whiteboards)

DOWNLOAD your free Learning Consultants Top 16 Audio/Video Techniques Checklist to help enhance your performance and control during your next presentation.

Benefits of Audio/Visuals:

  • Communicates ideas effectively 
  • Explains complex ideas
  • Makes you look professional and organized
  • Reinforces and enhances your presentation 
  • Provides key words to trigger your memory
  • Can be used again – saves presentation preparation time!
 
Download your FREE Checklist Now!
Audio-Video Technique Checklist
 

Topics: training consultant, training consultants, corporate training program, corporate training programs, learning consultants, learning consultant

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