Every so often we have been graced with the presence of an incredible speaker such as Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, or Steve Jobs. These men could captivate audiences with words alone. However, most people aren’t blessed with this natural gift of gab and require more than just their words to engage audiences. This reality, combined with the incredible advances that have been made in technology in recent years, has made the task of giving presentations easier and more effective. Nowhere has the development of technology had a greater impact than in the domain of communication. Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Prezi, Visme, Haiku Deck, and many others have paved the way for a new kind of presentation…one that is visually interesting. The end result of a presentation that incorporates technology is the ability to fully deliver content in a way that is meaningful to the audience.
Benefits of Using Technology in a Presentation
- Presentation software has made it possible to prepare a presentation in advance. Instead of having to jot down notes as you go, your content is neatly displayed and ready to go.
- Technology gives speakers the flexibility to craft a unique presentation. They have their choice of font, templates, audio-visual options, color schemes, and editing tools.
- Social media platforms have made it possible for presenters to connect with their audience before, during, and after their presentation. This is a great way to collect data and feedback.
- Technology enhances a speaker’s ability to convey important information through the use of charts, graphs, and spreadsheets.
- Speakers can make their presentations more interesting and entertaining through the use of clip art, images, and videos.
- Technology helps to capture the attention of the audience and keep them engaged in the presentation.
- Speakers no longer have to memorize their script. Technology acts as a helpful guide for the presenter.
How Technology Can Be Used in a Presentation
- Slideshows- Most of us are familiar with Microsoft PowerPoint and when used correctly, it can be a great presentation tool. It allows the presenter to easily and neatly organize their content so that audiences can follow along. There are also plenty of ways to enhance this basic technological tool. (see below)
- Animation- Animation is a way of adding movement on the screen. This increases audience attention and interest and helps to keep them engaged. You can actually embed animation onto your PowerPoint slides, and there are also several other tools for creating animations including Prezi.
- Text Emphasis- Thanks to technology you can emphasize the most important information in your presentation. If you want a word or phrase to be emphasized, there are a number of ways to do this- they can wave, shake, grow bigger, or even sparkle. It is a great way to define what you want your audience to learn.
- Videos- Videos and video clips are a great way to bring content to life, add humor, emphasize your point, or clarify information through an example. There are plenty of tools that allow you to embed videos into your slides.
- Create Charts and Graphs- If you want to display information to your audience such as stats, analytics, poll results, or any other numerical representation, you can do so by creating a chart or graph. This is an excellent way for audiences to get a visual depiction of your information.
- Smartboards- Smartboards have become an increasingly popular presentation tool. Presenters who want to be able to speak from the front of the room can easily swipe the board to change a visual, tap something to zoom, circle something that is important, and even jot notes over to the side. It is a great tech tool that can engage audiences by making them part of the presentation.