I guess I give 30 – 40 “presentations” on average each term in my classes. Over the last six months, I’ve watched my lecture notes transform. I thank my Keynote program for helping me see the error of my cluttered, terrible-template ways. I also have great blogs like Presentation Zen to thank.
For example, my research presentation has gone from this:
To more like this:
I even do a lecture on creating good slide show decks, drawing liberally from the tips on Presentation Zen and Garr’s own site. I also look to Seth Godin and his e-book. I have to admit, though, I have a hard time with the “no more than six words” rule.
I think I’m as guilty as most people who lecture or present a lot of info on a regular basis – I use PowerPoint to organize my thoughts and provide an outline, but often don’t as much substance as I should to back it up.
So thank you, Keynote. Thank you Garr Reynolds. And thank you to my students who have had to endure slides like this for way too long.
