Effective Presentations


People learn best when:

  • They feel respected by the presenter.
  • The presentation has immediate usefulness to them.
  • The presentation is based upon their life experience, that is, it is relevant to them.
  • They are actively engaged in the learning process, since we recall 20 percent of what we hear, 40 percent of what we hear and see and 80 percent of what we do.

This engagement is most effective when it is physical and affective as well as cognitive. That is, when we share as much of the subjective, or immediate and personal, reality of the experience overseas as possible, not merely the objective ideas. When we share our feelings and, if feasible, invite the audience to do some physical activity to enter into our experience, we really get to them.


For example, in a small group you can spread out a set of photographs and ask a small group to select those they want to ask about. With a large group, you can show your slides and ask them to talk to one another about the questions they want to ask you. These types of group work involve everyone in the activity of learning.


Adults learn as subjects, or decision-makers. We tend to feel put down when we are seen as objects, sitting passively listening to a presentation. The more we involve people as subjects, with ideas, actions and feeling, and the more we use open-ended questions to get them thinking and questioning, the more they will learn. (An open-ended question, of course, has no single right answer.) As you close a presentation, for example, a good open-ended question might be: What was new for you in this presentation today?


Polishing Presentation Skills (also applicable to TV interviews)

When asked to make a presentation we naturally focus on what to say. However, research indicates that our audiences perceive messages in the following ways: 10 percent—word choice, 30 percent—voice tone, and 60 percent—body language, such as facial expressions. How you say it can override what you say.

  • Tell the audience what you are going to tell them, tell them and tell them what you told them.
  • Take down physical barriers. Do away, if possible, with lecterns, tables and other objects that remove you from your audience.
  • Engage their senses. Photos, items they can see and touch and even taste will make your presentation effective.
  • Focus on your face. You don't want attention directed toward your clothing or jewelry.
  • Be enthusiastic. Your excitement will be contagious.
  • Be natural.
  • Keep your hands out of your pockets. Learn to use your hands, but don't allow them to draw away from your message. If you're not comfortable with your hand gestures, its advisable to let them fall naturally to your hands.

Presentation Checklist

  • Come prepared. Know your objectives. Make arrangements for any equipment, maps, handouts, etc., you may need. Get someone to dim the lights before you show slides.
  • Speak clearly. Ask audience members in the rear if they can hear. Treat your audience not as a mass but as individuals.
  • Determine what the audience already knows. Ask them who has been to the country(ies) you visited and involve them in your presentation.
  • Invite interaction. Pass around objects. Ask questions. Move around the room.
  • Speak personally. Humor and anecdotes add vitality to your presentation.
  • Be balanced. Instead of dwelling on differences, tell how the people with whom you worked are similar to Americans. Perhaps you can reduce stereotypes—or at least avoid perpetuating them.
  • Give opportunities for questions.
  • Make sure you leave a contact name and number and a website address for ACDI/VOCA in case there are candidates for volunteer assignments in the audience.
  • Make a pitch for ACDI/VOCA-type foreign assistance. Encourage others to understand the long-term best interests of the U.S. as a global partner.
  • Relax and have fun!

Presentation Models

Model A (approx. 20 min.)

Welcome


Task #1:

Introduce yourself and tell the story of your experience overseas as an ACDI/VOCA volunteer. Possible areas to cover:

  • How you heard about ACDI/VOCA
  • What you do/did professionally
  • Why you decided to go overseas
  • Where you went (use map?)
  • With whom you worked
  • Where you lived
  • What you did
  • What struck you most about the experience
  • Development and trade implications

Task #2:

How would you define development

  • …for your family?
  • …for your community?
  • …for your friend, -----, in (your country of assignment)?

Ask: Do we have an obligation to help people to help themselves? Then: What are the consequences if we don't work with these countries? (For them and for us.) And what can your audience do about it?


Model B (45 min.)

Welcome


Task #1:

Ask the audience for their views on international development.


Task #2:

Introduce yourself and tell the story of your experience overseas as an ACDI/VOCA volunteer. Possible areas to cover:

  • How you heard about ACDI/VOCA
  • What you do/did professionally
  • Why you decided to go overseas
  • Where you went (use map?)
  • With whom you worked
  • Where you lived
  • What you did
  • What struck you most about the experience
  • Development and trade implications

Task #3:

Show slide show. Before you start, ask the audience to select one slide that they may want to ask questions about. At the conclusion, ask several members of the audience to share their selection and why they chose it.


Task #4:

Ask: "Now that you have seen the slide show, have your views on international development changed?"

"How?"

ACDI/VOCA has a PowerPoint slide show that presents an overview of our organization and background on our work. Combine your photos and our PowerPoint slides if you'd like for an informative and classy presentation. Or, download photos from our website to use in your own presentation.