7.3 Visual Aids Types of Visual Aids Some of the most commonly used visual aids: • PowerPoint or equivalent • Overhead projector slides/transparencies • White/blackboard • Paper handouts • Flip charts • Video • Artefacts/props Which of these have you used or experienced? 7.3 Visual Aids Graphics in Visual Aids • Tables Use rows + columns to give data/descriptions Useful for comparing many data points or representing a large amount of information Dependent variables (what you want to compare): columns Independent variables (categories that don’t change): rows An effective table supplements the text + other figures 7.3 Visual Aids Graphics in Visual Aids • Figures Graphs, charts, illustrations: emphasise data trends or specific technical aspects of an object/process Several types: Line graphs Scatter graphs Organisation charts Photographs Drawings Bar graphs Flow charts Illustrations Pie charts Gantt charts Diagrams Careful when using illustrations: can be distracting + needs specific context + may not be helpful/appropriate 7.4 Developing Visual Aids Formatting PowerPoint Slides • Color • Text • Fonts • Images • Space • Animation Refer to Chapter Notes 7.4 Developing Visual Aids Other Tips for Using Slides • How many slides? • Discuss your slides • Practise with the equipment • Practise with your slides • Manage the environment • Slides aren’t always necessary • Slides aren’t the only option 7.4 Developing Visual Aids Things to Consider When Using Visual Aids • Keep visual aids simple + clear + to the point • Make sure visual aids are large enough • Talk to your audience, not to your visual aid Revision