2. Why I’m Sort of Qualified for
This
– I was a teacher with over 100 students per day.
– I was always “on the stage.”
– I presented the same material a minimum of 4 times a day- every single day.
– These were 8th graders. They spent a lot of time being awful.
– Sometimes I actually was able to get them engaged.
– I also had to do professional presentations for other teachers and
administrators.
– Most importantly, I’m not naturally inclined to this sort of thing, but I’ve
learned.
3. Preparing: Presentation
Software
– PowerPoint – the old standby
– There are other options, just google!
– Powtoon – some fun options
– Google Slides – You just need a google account and you will have access to Drive
– Wink – supposedly good for tutorials –seems to be freeware
– Prezi - My latest go to – a bit different
– Microsoft Sway – brand new
4. Prezi
– Not slide based
– You can use a voice over feature for tutorials
– Add all kinds of file types
– You can get a free public account
– You can also get an EDU license because you work at Vanderbilt
– This is comparable to their first level of paid plans
– https://prezi.com/signup/new/edu/enjoy/
– Link to my Prezis:
– http://prezi.com/0kdjdsnmdod4/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
– http://prezi.com/-_f3hxpeo0sj/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
5. Microsoft Sway
– Free with your outlook/Hotmail account
– Brand New – released in 2015
– Please explore and report back what you think
– https://sway.com
6. Preparing: Other Tools - Jing
– To demonstrate something in a tutorial style fashion.
– For instance: How do I create a new slide in PowerPoint?
– Only records up to 5 minutes
– Needs Admin Install for your computer
– Free!
– Link to tutorial: https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-jing-taking-your-first-
capture.html
7. Speaking Style: Powerful vs.
Powerless Communication
– Powerful Communication
– Asserts dominance: I am the expert. Listen to me and do what I say.
– Usually creates resistance.
– Powerless Communication
– Involves expressing some humility (self-deprecating humor) paired with sharing your
expertise.
– Humanizes the speaker.
– Creates empathy and connection in the audience.
– The audience is more likely to listen and consider what you have to say.
8. Nerves
– Remember: Everyone is rooting for you. They don’t want you to fail and believe you
will succeed. (Most of the time.)
– Take the focus off yourself. Remember that a presentation is about providing
something that your audience needs, wants, or will enjoy. It isn’t about you. It’s all
about them.
– Over- prepare
– Practice your presentation, so you know where you need to add more information or
clarify points.
– Use visualization to practice and succeed.
– Try to think of questions that your audience might have and already have an answer ready.
– Alternately, it’s ok to say that you don’t know, but you will find out.
9. Dealing with Divergence and
Hecklers
– Set expectations up front
– Will this be a casual presentation where very open feedback is expected from the
audience
– Will this be a presentation where questions should be held until the end
– Or something in between
– If there is a goal in mind, keep it at the forefront.
– You can even post it in the room.
10. The Heckler: Formal
Presentations
– Manage your own emotional state – remain calm
– Let the heckler have their say – they may need to go on longer than is
comfortable for anyone
– Use reflective listening before you respond – repeat back to what the heckler
has said for understanding and acknowledgement of their contribution
– Respond – as thoroughly as possible
11. The Heckler: Formal
Presentations
– Subsequent interruptions
– Observe - “You’ve made a number of points.” (non-judgmental statement)
– Affect - “I’m finding it difficult to progress with my presentation.”
– Request - “Please could you hold any more comments till the end of the presentation.” (be
polite)
– The last resort - Ask the audience whether they would prefer you to carry on your
presentation or want to hear more from the heckler.
– Defer – “Let’s talk about it after the meeting.”
– Circumstance – “Good points, but we need to get through this before time runs
out.”
12. The Heckler: Group Discussions
– Make the purpose of the discussion clear. What do you want the outcome to
be? This will give you a clear point to come back to when things get off-track.
– Put up a sheet labeled "Parking Lot." Explain that this will be the place to put
ideas that need to be "parked" until either later in the meeting or another time.
– Getting back on track
– Physically point to your presentation.
– Ask the group if this diversion is going to get us to the goal.
– Ask for help – “Everyone, let’s try to keep each other on topic.”
13. Wrapping Up: Other Key Points
– It’s ok to be yourself, even in formal situations. Be human and most audiences
will connect with you.
– Visuals don’t have to be super fancy as long as communication is clear.
– Alternately, sometimes it is fun to shake things up a bit and try something new.
– Don’t let a heckler get to you. Everyone else in the room is annoyed, too, and
secretly hoping you will shut them down.
– Remember: It isn’t all about you being a super star. Make it about serving your
audience.
14. Wrapping Up: Other Key Points
– Finally, sometimes you will fumble.
No one really cares.
– And sometimes you will fail, like a
catastrophic, down in a blaze of glory
kind of failure, but that is maybe
once or twice in a lifetime.
– So, feel crappy, cry your tears, and
mope around.
– Then, get up, wipe yourself off, know
that no one else will remember it in
5 years, and live to present another
day.
15. PowerPoint Alternatives
– Powtoon - http://www.powtoon.com/blog/best-free-presentation-software-
and-powerpoint-alternative/
– Wink - http://www.debugmode.com/wink/download.htm
– Prezi - https://prezi.com/
– Microsoft Sway - https://sway.com/
– A list of other alternatives - http://www.customshow.com/best-powerpoint-
alternatives-presentation-programs/
17. Other Links
– Lynda.com – 10 days for free – includes lots of tutorials for PowerPoint
– Adam Grant’s TED Talk on Powerless Communication –
https://youtu.be/n_ffqEA8X5g
– Susan Cain’s Article on Powerless Communication -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-cain/7-ways-to-use-the-power-of-
powerless-communication_b_3529900.html
18. Contact
– Jacqueline Stern, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, 2525 West End Avenue, Suite
600, Nashville, TN 37203
– Email: jacqueline.stern@vanderbilt.edu
– Phone: (615) 343-4199
