Unit 10 - Presentation Methods and Techniques

UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF PREPARING FOR AND EVALUATING A PRESENTATION

What different ways can you think of for delivering a presentation and what would these involve? 

There are few different ways of delivering a presentation whether it’s digitally or traditionally presented. This could involve a video/PowerPoint presentation or even a paper based showcase.
You can also simply talk about what your presenting verbally or even use mixed ways of delivering your presentation e.g. You could perform a PowerPoint presentation as well as reading/talking about it. This would be an appropriate way of presenting for a large audience.

Why would you use different methods for a presentation or use different equipment?

You would use different methods and equipment so that you can experiment with what you work with best or even to deciding which relates to the purpose of the presentation best. For example for a one-to-one presentation of your work, you may decide to present your work traditionally using the method of a portfolio case so the viewer can have a physical ‘in front of them’ reference. However if your presentation were to a larger audience, you would probably use digital equipment using a PowerPoint method. This would be the most suitable as the audience is able to see what your presenting and your approaching the correct method for your target audience.


What different things will you do to prepare for a presentation?

When there is an upcoming presentation, it is essential to prepare for it. To prepare for your presentation you need to make sure that you are organised and everything has been checked over. There are different ways of checking that you are ready for your presentation according to it either being digital, traditional or verbal based. If you are approaching the digital route, you may want to check that all equipment is in working order and that you’ve got all programs etc. opened and prepared to present. You may want to run over the files that you are presenting, to check that everything is available and ready. E.g. If you are presenting with a PowerPoint presentation, you may want to run through the slides to check that everything is there, working and in order. If you are presenting a traditional based format, you may want to check that all your work is there and in the order of your choice. Also you may want to think about what your going to say about your work. If you go down the verbal communication route, you may want to prepare your equipment. E.g. if you are speaking to a large audience in a large area, a microphone would be ideal to use so that each individual will be able to hear what’s said without any problem. The microphone, speakers and volume etc should be checked. Preparation in this method and also in digital is essential, as the equipment needs a few run through checks before you begin. Preparation is the main stage of a presentation.


Explain the benefits of preparing for giving a presentation?

Preparation has many benefits, which we do before giving a presentation. It ensures that you are ready to present in an easy flow manor with a reduced chance of something not working or going wrong. Preparation also gives you a brainstorm so that you are freshly aware of all the information that you need to know. However, another benefit is that its time effective. Preparing your equipment before your presentation saves time. For example, If you were delivering a digital presentation it would be a good idea to prepare your computer and to open the files you need ready, or even the file which your going to present first. This saves more time rather than starting your presentation and then you have to open files you need while the audience is watching and waiting. It doesn’t only prepare you for your presentation and save time, but it gives you the benefit of looking and being organised.


What sort of problems might occur with equipment?  How would you deal with them?

Even after preparation, sometimes problems still may occur throughout your presentation. If this happens, it is essential that you still stay in character and keep in mind that you’re still presenting. You can deal with problems in different ways, whether you solve it yourself or have a helping hand. If you were presenting on a computer for example and it crashed, the ideal way to fix this problem would be to see if the computer itself troubleshoots the problem. However, if this takes too long (as you don’t want to keep you audience waiting) restart the machine and quickly open your files again. But in the process of doing this, you may want to give them a short notice of what has happened but then still briefly speak to the audience about what you’re presenting. This will keep the audiences’ interest and focus on your presentation. However, if the problem can’t be fixed you may need technical assistance or if you have one, move onto plan b. There are a few ways of dealing with equipment problems, whatever method it is, it should be approached in the most suitable, professional and quickest way possible.


What would be the reason for having a plan B (a contingency plan)?  Why would this be an advantage?

Having a plan B would be a good idea to have in mind in case a serious problem occurs throughout your presentation. If there is a problem, then you can simply jump to your ‘plan b’ without hesitation or thought. This is an advantage to have, as you are forward thinking and not keeping your audience waiting. A plan B would probably be the most suitable and accurate way of solving a problem if one occurs. It also shows that you are organised and can deal with problems in the correct way, as to the audience and your presentation, it keeps your presentation flowing as well as keeping your audiences’ interest.

Why would you collect feedback from the audience?  How could this be helpful?

Collecting feedback from the audience is a really useful source of information. Not only does it consume the audiences’ thoughts and opinions, but it also helps you out as a presenter. Feedback can be helpful as it can give you a brief summary of what you did well with and your improvements. The ‘not so good’ feedback will provide you with what you should improve for next time. This ensures you to deliver an even better performance for your next presentation. Helpful feedback is like a cycle, you start of with your performance, you collect feedback, then feedback is taken on board, performance is improved on the next presentation without the previous weaknesses, then collect feedback again, and so on. Feedback is a great way of reviewing and making your presentations better.

Why would you evaluate other presentations and your own performance?  How could this be helpful?

Evaluating both yours and other presentations can be really helpful for them and yourself. For example if you evaluate some one else’s performance and your own, you then can compare both evaluations and you may pull out their strengths and relate them to your own. Strengths from their evaluation of performance can be taken on board by yourself as an advisory route to improve your own performances for next time. Evaluations of your own and theirs’ is a really good method to use, as it can be really beneficial for yourself and the other presenter.

UNDERSTAND THE TECHNIQUES USED IN ENHANCING A PRESENTATION

How can a presentation be enhanced by materials and equipment?  Give examples.

A presentation can be enhanced with what equipment and tools you use. Enhancing your presentation can really change the audiences’ reaction of what they’re thinking of your performance. For example, if you were to give a presentation digitally, using a PowerPoint presentation would have a strong impact on the audiences’ opinion because of the use of text, colour, transitions etc. whereas if you just used the method of flicking through JPEG files, this wouldn’t have a very strong impact as it doesn’t show any skill or commitment to how you present. It would lose an audiences’ attention, as there wouldn’t be any attraction to the files.
If you were to give a traditional paper based presentation you can really enhance it with the materials you use. For example in a one-to-one presentation you may want to present your work in an attractive case, which would enhance the presentation appearance of you work. Whereas if you was to just print out sheets of paper and slipped them all in one sleeve together, this wouldn’t enhance it’s appearance and would lose interest.
Materials and equipment can really enhance a presentation and make it more interesting. It can make your presentation a whole lot better and can create a much stronger impact on the audiences’ reaction.


How can a presentation be enhanced by using communication skills and interpersonal skills?  Give examples.

A presentation can be enhanced on the way you act as an individual, communication and interpersonal skills can affect this. The way we talk, the way we stand, the way we approach things, the way we make eye contact to an audience and the way we present our body language and tone of voice.
For example, if you were to stand up in front of an audience and your body posture was slumped, head in your chest with eye contact to the floor, and had a slow ‘not interested’ tone of voice, this would come across as your not interested in what your presenting which would result in the same negative reaction for the audience. However if your body posture were high and straight, making eye contact across the whole area of the audience at an even pace, had a varied and suitable tone of voice, this would come across as you being confident, enthusiastic and interested in your own presentation. This would result in a positive reaction for the audience and they would be optimistic and confident in your performance.
The communication and interpersonal skills are essential to the performance of your presentation. It creates a large impact on the presentation itself as the presenter has to look confident, interested and enthusiastic to make the audience feel the same way.


How would you measure the audience’s reaction?

There are many ways to record and measure the audience’s reaction whether it’s a good reaction or not so good. First of all, you could record their reaction throughout your presentation whilst you’re performing. You can always notice an audience’s reaction with their interpersonal skills/body language. When your making eye contact with the audience, you could take a look at how their sat, whether their making eye contact with you or your work etc. For example, if you were talking to the audience and you notice an individual slumped or crouched in their chair, making eye contact to the ceiling or their feet, this is the usual sign that they’ve lost interest. However, if you notice that some individuals are sat straight up in their seat, making eye contact with you whilst your talking, this is usually the result of the individual having interest and enthusiasm in your performance.
Another way you can measure the audience’s reaction is to give them feedback handouts at the end of your presentation to fill in. This way they can share their thoughts and opinions with you on your presentation. You could also get involved with the audience and ask if they have any questions. This method allows you to see if any individuals are interested to find out more. On the other hand, if a question is asked that you have already said in your presentation, this may be because they wasn’t paying any attention in the first place and wasn’t interested, or because they genuinely needed a reminder.
There are many ways of measuring an audience’s reaction and you can normally clearly see it physically when performing.

What would the advantage be of summarising the important features of a presentation?  Why would this be helpful?

There is usually a lot of information within a presentation and it sometimes can cause the audience to veer off from the main purpose of the performance. However, there is an advantage of summarising the important features of the presentation, which helps to lead you in the right direction as well as the audience. It also helps the audience to remember the key points of the presentation when you’re highlighting and summarising them.
For example, if you were to talk about something in detail and depth, its good to summarise in a short, snappy sentence the key points and features of the important parts in the presentation.

Why would you give the audience the opportunity to ask questions?  Why would this be helpful?

Giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions is essential and also polite. It allows the audience to ask any questions if they would like to know more information and it also shows their interest. However using this method at the end of your presentation is also helpful for yourself. This is because it gives you a better performance as an individual giving the audience the opportunity to ask, and it also makes you have a more professional and organised appearance as well as having interest in the audience’s questions.