Tips for Presentations on Interactive Television

Introduction

Teaching on live interactive television is one of the major delivery systems in use in distance learning today and will continue to be in the future. These tips will help you to look more professional in your presentations.

• If you use any technology, master it before you use it. It is not as transparent as you may think, especially on camera.
  
  
• Keep your presentation simple. Use as little technology as possible. You are the primary media.
  
  
• Use wireless microphones to allow yourself as much freedom of movement as possible.
  
  
• Know your speaking “stage” (area of movement). This will allow you as much latitude as possible for movement into the audience.
  
  
• Let your audience see what you are saying. Reinforce key words and phrases. Use hang-ups on the walls and several flip charts. Make sure the camera has a clear shot of these.
  
  
• Use the right colors in combination. Make sure words are readable and don’t wash out.
  
  
• When using flip charts, write only on the top two-thirds of it. Because of the 3 x 4 aspect ratio of the television camera, it can only “see” in this format.
  
  
• Flip charts can be enhanced visually when you add a free form border, focusing attention towards the middle of the page.
  
  
• Use videoclips to reinforce your most important points.
  
  
• Collect video clips by concept areas. Identify 10-15 of your most frequently used ideas and edit clips from commercial television and rental videos.
  
  
• Use wall hangups (40” x 30” sheets of paper) to reinforce the 2-3 most important ideas in a teleclass. These can be laminated (preferably with nonreflecting laminate) if used frequently.
  
  
• You are the most important media. Don’t open or close a presentation with electronic or mechanical media unless there is a special reason.
  
  
• Use geometric shapes connected with lines and arrows in lieu of only bulleted lists to add visual variety.
  
  
• If you use a lot of bullets, vary the type of bullet to indicate different organizational levels.
  
  
• Print large and limit the number of words to key words only.
  
  
• Use 3-4 different rich colors on flip charts to focus attention. Check to see how the colors look on television. The television camera tends to intensify colors.
  
  
• Use artifacts and props such as books, puppets, and magazines.
  
  
• Use visual analogies as well as verbal analogies. Reinforce the visual analogies with physical objects.
  
  
• Use a display table. Create curiosity by covering something with a cloth.
  
  
• Create interest by having a bag, box, or covered object by you.
  
  
• Open and close with powerful stories about the topic. Personalize it.
  
  
• Force people to sit up front by closing the back rows with ribbon, string, or rope. Remember that you also have another audience. It exists inside the camera lens.
  
  
• Make sure that you can invade your audience by walking into it. Be sure the camera can follow you.
  
  
• The most powerful word in the English language is “you.” Use it frequently.
  
  
• Speak with enthusiasm. Speak in a light, conversational, folksy style.
  
  
• Define and give examples of all new terms. Avoid jargon if possible.
  
  
• When explaining something, provide examples (for instance...) and non examples (don’t confuse X with Y).
  
  
• Speak with a wide range of volume and inflection from very loud to very soft, almost to a whisper.
  
  
• One hour before you speak, get in the mood by preparing yourself emotionally--get into character. Take a walk, breathe deeply, tell yourself how good you are and how well prepared you are. Believe in yourself.
  
  
• Use symbols.
  
  
• Develop a personal signature. Do or say something consistently so that when it is seen or heard, the audience will know it is you. This could be music; clothing, artifacts, etc.
  
  
• Vary your pacing. Use rapid pacing for review and slower pacing for the introduction of new material.
  
  
• Exude enthusiasm for your subject. Enthusiastic speakers enthuse participants.
  
  
• Repeat, repeat, and repeat. Important ideas should be repeated in several different ways--verbally and visually.
  
  
• Use silence to maintain eye contact with a variety of participants.
  
  
• After you ask a question, wait at least 3-5 seconds before asking for an answer. If you don’t get a response, rephrase the question and ask it again.