1、Techniques for Giving a Great Seminar,J. Paul Robinson SVM Professor of Cytomics Department of Basic Medical Sciences& Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Purdue University,A set of suggestions and examples for creating good quality presentations. Improve you
2、r ability to communicate your message. What to do and what not to do in your seminar!This presentation in various formats from previous years is available for download from http:/www.cyto.purdue.edu/education, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,2 of 46,Goals of this Presentation,To demons
3、trate good principles for public presentations (mostly) using PowerPointTM and computer projectors To show how to use slides effectively To demonstrate good and bad slides, distracting habits, and good and bad presentation techniques Some suggestions to enhance your ability to communicate your messa
4、ge to your audience To suggest some tips for a better presentation, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,3 of 46,The Three Essential Features of a Good Presentation,Tell people what you are going to tell them Tell them the material Tell them what you told them,Introduction & outline,Your co
5、re materials in necessary detail,Summarize your findings and close your presentation,The basic rules of engagement,1. Be well prepared 2. Speak clearly 3. Keep to time 4. Be aware of your audience, J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,3:20 PM,4 of 46, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,5 o
6、f 46,Opening your presentation,You should be early (10 min) for your presentation. You should have checked in with the person who will chair the session You should have already checked the room, projector and computer well before your talk You should be ready to begin when invited Your first slide s
7、hould be on the screen before you begin It should have your presentation title on it and information about you,Techniques for Giving a Great Seminar,J. Paul Robinson Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences & Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering,Have the projector and computer set up with
8、the opening slide well before the presentation is due to start,A set of suggestions and examples for creating good quality presentations This presentation is available for download from http:/www.purdue.edu/education,(Example opening slide from this presentation), 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue
9、University,6 of 46,Your Opening Statement,If you are an Invited Speaker: “Thank you very much for that generous introduction. I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me to give this presentation. It is an honor to be here at Purdue. Today I would like to present some ideas on the invention
10、 of the wheel.” If you are a Seminar Speaker (more informal): “Thank you very much Professor X. I am very glad to be able to give this seminar. Today I would like to present some ideas on the invention of the wheel.”,Your opening statement should be strong, and well prepared. It should be short and
11、it can also be an expression of thanks to your host if appropriate., 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,7 of 46,Your Closing Statement,“In my last slide I would like to acknowledge the participation of my colleagues Jim, Jane, Alphonso, and Dr. Jones. I would also like to acknowledge the
12、support of the National Science Foundation for funding this study.” (pause here very briefly) “Thank you very much for your attention.” (Dont say anything else!),Do,Dont,Dont just stop!Dont say “thats it”. “thats the end” .: “Im finished”NEVER offer to answer questions if there is a chairperson - it
13、 is the role of the chairperson, not you, to ask for questions! (Dont invite questions - its not your job you might have gone 15 minutes over and you still think you should answer questions?),So: Make the audience feel comfortable about the end of your presentation by telling them when it is finishe
14、d., 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,8 of 46,Key Material Items to Consider,Your personal habits Use of the laser pointer The slide background Use of color Use of animation tools Use of diagrams or flow charts Amount of material per slide Number of slides in the presentation Your first
15、and last slides,J. Paul Robinson, Ph.D., & Bartek Rajwa, Ph.D. Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories,Imaging, Flow Cytometry, and Functional Cytomics Applications of current cell analysis techniques,So: Example Opening Slide Has complex background OK for one slide, but please dont use it for all
16、the rest!, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,10 of 46,Imaging, Flow Cytometry, and Functional Cytomics: Applications of current cell analysis techniques,J. Paul Robinson, PhD Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories,So: Example Opening Slide Has plain background not so exciting, but very
17、 effective when the goal is to talk science! Note that the copyright statement at the bottom in black is now virtually unreadable! (So dont use black on blue!), 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,11 of 46,Your personal habits,Standing: Face your audience, but if you are very nervous, look
18、 only at people in the middle or back rowsPacing: Sometimes pacing helps when you are nervous it can also help to keep the audiences attention but it can also be distracting if you pace, pace slowly and deliberatelySpeech: Speak slowly, clearly, & deliberately Dont say “Ummm”or “Ah.”.between every s
19、entence Dont say “You know.” when you pause silence is better! If English is not your native language, you must speak slowly or you may risk failure to communicate!Fidgeting: Dont play with the toys (like keys) or put your hands in your pockets and jiggle keys hold the lectern if you have to. This m
20、ight give you some additional confidence.Humor: Use very sparingly, it can be an ice-breaker but it is very hard to do my suggestion is to avoid it, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,12 of 46,Using a pointer,Use the pointer to add emphasis and assist the audience follow your ideas,Do: -
21、Use sparingly- Hold on only for a second at a time- Hold it steadyDont: - Leave the pointer on!- Spray the audienceouch!- Flash the pointer all over the slide,So In Emergency: If the pointer dies, dont panic. A good chairperson will observe and deal with it. If not, find a stick, pen, or some long o
22、bject and use that to point to the screen. Dont let this put you off your presentation. If in a very large lecture theater, simply direct your audience to the spot!, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,13 of 46,Pointer use reinforcement,There are 4 main points: The length of time you leave
23、 the pointer on Are you “firing” at the audience? Are you distracting your audience rather than focusing them? How steady your hand is,Example: When you mention the first point put the laser at the “-”. Discuss this point, then move to the next point. Mostly pointers are useful when dealing with fig
24、ures and images. It is unnecessary to point to each line of text, but for learners, it is a good way to keep yourself on track., 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,14 of 46,Pointer hints for nervous people (thats most people actually!),Hold the lectern when you talk it stops your hands do
25、ing funny things. When you become more confident, you can walk away from the lectern. Hold the laser pointer on the edge of the lectern when you point it then your quivering fingers wont make the pointer bounce everywhere!,Fonts,Try to use a single, clear font across the entire presentation Make the
26、 text large enough that the audience can read it Some fonts are really bad Some are worse And some should be avoided at all costs,Note: You might think that your science is a work of art, but the art is in the science not the art.,Don t even think of doing this!, J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,
27、3:20 PM,15 of 46, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,16 of 46,White,Using Backgrounds,Backgrounds are fun, but they can be distracting Sometimes you cannot read the text Sometimes backgrounds are more interesting than the data They significantly increase the size of the file Sometimes the
28、y just look ridiculous It is a well known fact that the most important factor in reading text is contrast The best contrast isBlack and,So: Sometimes boring old black and white slides are easier to see and can be effective in communicating your message! !, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue Universi
29、ty,17 of 46,More on Backgrounds,Be careful when using backgrounds available from templates A more conservative approach is safer You want the audience to focus on your data, not your background If you must, use a simple color like blue Some examples follow in the next 5 slides the last 2 are not acc
30、eptable,Lesson: Pretty backgrounds are fun but foolish! It might seem like a good idea at the time, but your audience is thinking .”Oh no, not another symphony of colors.”, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,18 of 46,What Resources are Required?,Start with educational objectives and goals
31、 Define needs based only on the educational objectives Initially identify minimal hardware requirements, beg or borrow if necessary Integrate staff into lab with scientific staff to increase participation,So: Very plain example slide. No frills. Not exciting - but clear,19,What Resources are Require
32、d?,Start with educational objectives and goals Define needs based only on the educational objectives Initially identify minimal hardware requirements, beg or borrow if necessary Integrate staff into lab with scientific staff to increase participation,So: Good example slide (logo and top bar work OK)
33、 Colors are muted and tasteful, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,20,What Resources are Required?,Start with educational objectives and goals Define needs based only on the educational objectives Initially identify minimal hardware requirements, beg or borrow if necessary Integrate staff
34、 into lab with scientific staff to increase participation,Good example slide top and side bar,So: Good example slide (side/top bar work OK) Colors are fine, note slide number on left., 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,21,What Resources are Required?,Start with educational objectives and
35、 goals Define needs based only on the educational objectives Initially identify minimal hardware requirements, beg or borrow if necessary Integrate staff into lab with scientific staff to increase participation,BAD , BAD slide !,So: BAD example slide - nasty background its very distracting and much
36、more interesting than the text!, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,22,What Resources are Required?,Start with educational objectives and goals Define needs based only on the educational objectives Initially identify minimal hardware requirements, beg or borrow if necessary Integrate staf
37、f into lab with scientific staff to increase participation,So: VERY BAD example slide drop the fireworks!, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,23 of 46,Use of Color,Color shows emphasis.BUT It should be used sparingly Certain colors cannot be
38、used together For example: Red text cannot be used on blue backgrounds or vice versa Blue text cannot be used on red backgrounds or vice versaColors that should virtually never be used are: Purple, pink and bright green Yellow can be used on black but never on a white background,So: NEVER use red an
39、d blue togetherit might look OK on your computer screen, but its horrible on the projector screen!, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,24 of 46,The difference between your computer screen and the projector screen,Colors that look great on your computer screen may be TERRIBLE on the projec
40、tor screen. For example BLUE background CANNOT have black text.,Your computer SCREEN looks like this.Its just OK.,But this is what happens when it is projected onto the screen.,Black Text looks fine on your Computer screen,Black Text looks fine on your Computer screen,So: NEVER use black text on a b
41、lue backgroundit might look OK on your computer screen, but the audience cant read it!, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,25 of 46,Animation,How much animation is right? Make sure you test it carefully! A small amount of animation is good Too much is “ditzy” and can annoy your audience I
42、f you annoy your audience, you dont communicate,So: “Ditzy” animations are really off-putting to the audience. Good animations, such as how reactions takes place, are fine.,26,Advantages,Standard Assay Uses whole blood Cheaper than microdrop,Gel Microdrop Rare populations Short incubation Sort and r
43、ecover live cells,Source: One Cell System, 2002; BD Resource Manual, 2001,So: EXAMPLE: bad color, way too much animation its just a bad slide, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,This is not a good slide., 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,27 of 46,Advantages,Standard Assay Use
44、s whole blood Cheaper than microdrop,Gel Microdrop Rare populations Short incubation Sort and recover live cells,Source: One Cell System, 2002; BD Resource Manual, 2001,So: OK it might look boring, but this is a very basic slide and really does not need any enhancement. Audience is focusing on the t
45、ext.,28,Advantages,Standard Assay Uses whole blood Cheaper than microdrop,Gel Microdrop Rare populations Short incubation Sort and recover live cells,Source: One Cell System, 2002; BD Resource Manual, 2001,So: If you want to make it a little more attractivethis works well., 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinso
46、n, Purdue University, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,And for Imaging Technologies?,DNA arrays“Quantitative” fluorescence assaysHigh Throughput assays (96-384 well plates)ElispotDrug effect assays Toxicology assays,So: Example gratuitous animation plain annoying!, 2000-2012 J. Paul Rob
47、inson, Purdue University,And for Imaging Technologies?,DNA arrays“Quantitative” fluorescence assaysHigh Throughput assays (96-384 well plates)ElispotDrug effect assays Toxicology assays,So: Example - simple animation it works even though the background is a bit much, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purd
48、ue University,31 of 46,Hydrodynamically focused fluidics,Increase pressure: Widen core Increase turbulence,Signal,So: you have to explain each step in the process this animation needs some time to do that and the star on the right indicates how many mouse clicks to perform the entire animation seque
49、nce add stars for each click necessary and animate them to disappear at each click, 2000-2012 J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University,32 of 46,Use diagrams or flow charts if possible,First Reactant,Intermediate,Last Reactant,Blocker 1,So: Simple straight-forward animation is good,Note the stars indicating the number of mouse clicks left,Animation helper,Place a small icon on the bottom of the screen to tell you how many steps there are in your animation.,
