Talking and pointing

[bigtig]

On the current contract, one of my deliverables is a series of lectures on a VMware product called “Lab Manager.” That’s right, I’m teaching again!

We have some canned class material provided from VMware in the form of powerpoint decks.

I really don’t like powerpoint. Often it is information starvation. You cannot convey complex subjects if 4

Comments

[athelind]

PowerPoint is a screwdriver that most people insist on using as a crowbar. It's a really well-engineered screwdriver, but it's not designed to do the heavy lifting in a presentation.

At CSUMB, transfer students had to take a course in Public Speaking as part of their transfer requirements. Incoming freshmen, on the other claw, did not. The "Tech Tools" course was part of the graduation requirements, however, and freshmen tended to take it in their first semester.

"Tech Tools" taught students basic computer literacy and how to use the various applications in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint. It covered all the bells and whistles in PowerPoint -- sounds, wipes, all the obnoxious, infamous clutter that's abused and misused.

It never covered context, or the basics of making a presentation.

When Class Project time rolled around at the end of every semester, you could always tell the transfer students from the people who'd just gone right into Cal State.

[suerankin]

You really are awesome. <3

[kagur]

Congratulations:) Your company should appreciate your ability to teach others effectively. I hope they note it on your employee file. You deserve the kudos:)