Presentations

What is this Tool? 

Presentations are a medium for the transmission of ideas and information to an audience. While there can be challenges with knowledge retention, effective presentations for adult learners obtain the following three objectives from it's audience: attention, information processing, and memory. These objectives are achieved when this tool is used to move information through the channels of inputs, sensory register, attention, short term memory, meaning, and finally long term memory (Davis & Arend p.75). Presentations typically require a structure that breaks down the information as a well designed communication process attuned to the listener, as well as incorporation of meaning for the information presented and an engaging facilitation process. 

Relevance to Adult Learning

As educators, our goal is to facilitate the transmission of knowledge to the long term memory of our learners. Presentations, most often lectures, give educators the ability to present information with a pairing of meaning or value to our learners which can help integrate the information into memory. If we present in a way that showcases the value to a learner (such as skills needed for their job or a historical understanding that sets up future learning), engagement and motivation rise. Presentations can also be leveraged as a tool to use for learners as teach back activities, which can solidify knowledge when they are required to review the structure of information and communicate the value of a concept/assignment or argument to others. It can also be an assessment marker to showcase how much knowledge transfer has occurred when learners present their findings. 

How to Use in Corporate Training 

Classroom lecture: Traditions are processes that people find value in and while consistently performed, they are adapted over time. Clasroom lecture is a great example of this. The core of lecture is to allow for open facilitation on material to provide context and build understanding. It can be extremely effective when used to showcase contextual or historical background required to conceptulize a process or procedure. This method also pairs well with a blended approach of visual aids or activities.

Individual/group teach back activities:  One approach is dividing tasks or processes up among small groups of learners with each one required to do an overview and Q&A session. By requiring learners to take a process, learn it, and teach it to peers, it pushes accountability of learning.

Professional readouts: Often times corporate training is preparing individuals in leadership positions as well. Giving learners opportunities for teachbacks or presentation opporutnities to do readouts with slide decks or data presentation help prepare learners to not only intake information, but to also put on the facilitation hat as needed.

Resources & Examples

How to Start your Presentation: 4 Step Formula for a Killer Intro

HOW TO Give a Great Presentation - 7 Presentation Skills and Tips to Leave an Impression

13 Presentation Design Tips to Create an Awesome Slide Deck