Why do conferences give out style sheets for papers, impose word lengths, demand specific referencing styles but never ever give people any guidance about producing a good Powerpoint?
How is it that intelligent people sit through Powerpoint presentation after Powerpoint presentation without ever deducing some of the principles of good design and good presentation?
* If you use 12, 15 or, God forbid, 20 lines of text on your slide we can’t read it at the back.
* If your background is green (and why is it green?) then don’t highlight in purple. It just means we can’t read the things you think are important.
* If you need lecture notes, then write yourself lecture notes. Don’t read us the Powerpoint!
* If it took you two years to devise your research questions, don’t read them through once quickly to us and expect us to remember them or understand them.
* If you need a rest, have it before or after your presentation. We want to see you – not the top of your head while you’re sitting down.
* If the lights are full on then your presntation appears dim. Take control of your environment. Find a light switch.
* If half the audience are checking their texts then your presentation is rubbish. Stop now.
It’s possible that people sitting down for presentations might be doing so for health reasons of some sort (my mother has lectured sitting down for her whole life for that reason and still manages to be a superb lecturer). But if they are doing all the other things on your list, then it’s probably less likely that’s the case!
I like it. And I guess the sitting-down thing isn’t necessarily bad in itself – some presenters are just so nervous they feel better sitting down. But what really matters is if the presenter is reading his/her notes laying on the desk in front. That’s what gives the rather disconcerting “top of head” view. So long as the presenter makes eye-contact and engages with the audience, then a seated presenter can make a good impression – although I agree that a dynamic standing up and moving around presentation is much more engaging to watch.