Communication Coach
To truly make a presentation multimedia, it is best to follow principles that research has shown to improve learning. Dr. Richard Mayer, UCSB, has developed and tested such multimedia learning principles.
Coherence
The coherence principle is that learning is improved when multimedia is free from extraneous information – like tangential stories or sounds.
Signaling
The signaling principle is that learning is improved when attention is focus on important parts of the presentation with cues highlighting key material.
Redundancy
The redundancy principle is that learning is reduced when information presented is redundant – such as reading text verbatim from slides.
Spatial & Temporal Contiguity
The spatial contiguity principle is that learning improves when words are placed near relevant pictures and the temporal contiguity principle is that learning improves when narration occurs simultaneously with relevant pictures.
Dr. Richard Mayer, University of California, Santa Barbara
Dr. Mayer's cognitive theory of multimedia learning states that people learn better when presented with both pictures and words and it has been backed by extensive research.
Dr. Michael Alley, Penn State
Dr. Alley specializes in scientific presentations with a slide design called Assertion-Evidence Structure. Each slide has a short, full-sentence headline and a graphic as evidence.
Cliff Atkinson, author of Beyond Bullet Point
Mr. Atkinson has developed a process for creating presentations that leverage Dr. Mayer's multimedia principles so that audiences can gain more usable knowledge.
Dr. Dale Cyphert, University of Northern Iowa
Dr. Cyphert has written how the 21st century requires an electronic eloquence in which speakers incorporate visuals and narrative in a compelling manner.
Research-Based Expertise
Many professionals offer advice on how best to create and deliver a presentation. What is different about Jennifer's coaching is that her advice is based on years of experience, PLUS research. Her methods for creating presentations have actually been shown to increase audiences' ability to use the information delivered.
Kammeyer Shares Research-Base Techniques
CEOs heard how using a narrative and multimedia principles can improve audience learning. Watch the video to hear Jennifer explain the techniques.
Presented at the ABS Capital Partners Executive Summit 2010 in Chicago, IL.
Graphic Facilitator Captures Kammeyer's Concepts
As a graphic facilitator, Tom Benthin uses drawing to visually support collaboration in meetings. Here is an example of his work where he captured Jennifer's presentation on how to perfect a company pitch using a visual story and multimedia guidelines.
Increase Knowledge Gain with Multimedia PowerPoint
If human cognitive abilities are respected then PowerPoint can be used to increase learning. In a study comparing bullet point to multimedia presentations, audiences' experienced greater learning increases with the multimedia version.
Research article was presented at the Western States Communication Association 2009 Conference in Phoenix, AZ.
Fire Service Training Improved with PowerPoint
In the fire services, training is critical for quality of patient care. Firefighters and paramedics learning about Avian Flu were taught using two types of presentations: bullet point and multimedia. Those who received the multimedia presentation had higher post-lesson test scores.
Research article published in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS), September 2009.
Communication Textbooks' Recommendations
An analysis of all the communication textbooks in use in the California State University system for the GE course showed that authors' recommendations about using PowerPoint varied widely. Despite the inconsistency, a few common themes were found: slides should be simple and slides should be consistent.
Read the research article
Trends in Technology Leaders' Conference Presentations
Because technology industry CEOs are early adopters of new technology, their presentations are likely to predict future trends. A study of 20 CEOs' conference slides showed that multimedia is common, with graphics and pictures widely used and video and online links still emerging.
Read the research article