The presentation provides tips for presenters at an upcoming eLearning conference, including tailoring the topic to the audience of teachers, trainers, and administrators. Presenters are advised to arrive early, greet attendees to make them feel welcomed, and learn their names and needs. Presentations should be 50 minutes with 10 minutes left for questions, and presenters should tweet about their session and provide follow-up information. Visuals like pictures should illustrate points, and stories about successes and failures are encouraged over just reciting theory. Presenters should interact with the audience and not try to be the "sage on stage" but the "guide on the side." Practice the presentation, speak clearly and connect with attendees in an authentic way.

1. Presenter Briefing

2. Thank you for presenting!The following presentation has some tips and ideas to help make your presentation at the Heartland eLearning Conference a success.

3. Knock, Knock? Who’s There?Tailor your topic…we will host teachers, trainers, eLearning administrators, and some that are just curious about eLearning.

4. Own the RoomGet there early.Set up quickly.Greet attendees and make them feel welcomed from the second they walk in.Meet your audience members…learn where they are from, meet their needs, call on them by name in the session.

5. Keep Time…You will have 50 minutes to present…but leave about 10 minutes for questions. End on time!

6. Build RelationshipsTweet about your session. Use the hash tag #heartlandconf anytime before, during, or after the conference.Provide session info and follow-up info on the web.Provide contact information.Friend folks you meet in the session.Follow up if you say you will.

7. liBe VisualYou PowerPoint* shouldn’t speak for you!Show pictures to illustrate your points.If the words are that important, provide a handout at the end of the session…not just your PowerPoint slides. *Do not feel obgatedto have a PowerPoint presentation if you don’t think it adds value.

8. Tell StoriesEveryone can recite theory…but your participants want the stories.Tell why it worked, when it didn’t, how you fixed it, and the funny and interesting tidbits you learned on the way.

9. Be the Guide on the SideDon’t be the sage on the stage.Gather the wisdom of the group as you share your knowledge.Find ways to interact with the audience and get them to share.

10. Stand and DeliverPractice your presentation ahead of time.Speak loudly and clearly.Connect with the audience.Be confident in your expertise.Don’t bash your own speaking skills, PowerPoint presentation, experience, etc.

11. Be AuthenticDon’t try to be a public speaker.Be yourself…

12. Ready to present?We are looking forward to hosting you in Edmond on March 9, 2010. If there is anything we can do to make your presentation even better, please contact us at heartlandconference@uco.edu or at 405.974.2420.