Structuring Your Content and Presentation for
Maximum Impact
Dan Banach
Program Manager, Autodesk Education
Introductions
 Program Manager, Autodesk Education
 Using Autodesk products since AutoCAD R9
 Certified Inventor Professional, Autodesk Certified Instructor and Autodesk
Certification Evaluator
 19 years teaching and consulting in the Autodesk channel
 Authored / coauthored 19 books:
 3 - Mechanical Desktop
 16 - Autodesk Inventor
 2 eBooks: Autodesk Inventor available on Apple Bookstore for free
 16 year speaker at Autodesk University
 Lectures
 Labs
Webinar summary
In this webinar you will learn how to prepare and deliver
a world class Autodesk University presentation.
Key learning objectives
At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
 Write a well structured handout
 Develop a PPT that captures the students attention
 Delivery an outstanding class
Objective for an instructor is to:
 Transfer knowledge
The Handout
Handout
 Objectives
 Make them clear and measurable
 Write the paper to support the objectives
 Flow
 Outline the class to ensure that the paper flows
 Layout
 Add images that support the topic
 If it is hard to control image location - use tables
 Steps
 Be clear and precise (not long winded)
 Add images to clarify the process
 Add tips to the handout – students like to take tips back to the office to share with others
Handout
 Grammar counts
 Have a non-technical person read your handout
 Use the speell cheker
 Use the spell checker
 Technical accuracy
 Have a technical person review and edit your handout
 Accuracy is everything
 Submit the handout on time
 Students will have access to the handout two weeks before AU
The PPT
PPT
 Follow PPT template with correct class title from AU site
 Introduction slide
 List relevant experience
 Convey your expertise (its not bragging)






PPT should support the handout – not replace it
Minimize the amount of text on the PPT
Add relevant images or videos
Avoid acronyms
Add a slide for each Demonstration (will keep you on track)
For Labs add a slide for each Exercise (list major steps)
The Class
Class
 Pre AU
 Know how to
 Display computer screen on a projector
 Switch between applications; Ctrl + Tab vs. Alt + Tab
 Practice, practice, practice
 Practice with projector
 Practice with projector and in front of others
 At AU – a day or two before the class
 Test the screen resolution – in the speaker Ready room or in the room
 If you never used a lapel microphone, get into the room and
practice with the microphone
Class
 Before the class starts




Arrive early
Start your computer and ensure power is plugged in
Duplicate screen on projector
Start only required programs
 Some applications don’t like having the resolution changed after they are started
 Close Outlook, IM, Skype, Facebook, etc.
 Open PPT and display the name of the class
 Talk to students as they walk in, you’ll be less nervous when you see faces you know
Class
During the class
 Handling nerves
 Breath deeply
 You are the expert that the students want to learn from –
students want you to be great
 Relax and enjoy the experience – this is why you practiced
 Start on time
 Be energetic and enthusiastic – its catchy
 PPT
 Use PPT to keep you on track
 Don’t read the PPT
 Spend minimum amount of time in PPT
Class
During the class - continued
 Share real-world scenarios / stories
 Engage students to verify knowledge transfer
 Ask open ended questions
 Stay active – don’t stand or sit in one place
 Use a tool like ZoomIt to enlarge area of the screen
 Know when you will take questions from the students
 Questions can derail a class by going on tangents
 Redirect off topics questions – “let’s talk about that after class”

 Restate questions
Do NOT sell – students are paying money to learn
Plan for the unexpected
Have a backup plan – what if
 The software locks up or computer crashes
 Stay positive – send in the crash report, Autodesk reviews them
 Restart software or computer
 Could take questions while computer restarts
The Lab
Lab - same as class +







Divide lab into small digestible sections
Save iterative files for each section
Practice timing
Usually you will cover less material than you think
Submit dataset on time
Ensure dataset is loaded on lab computers – verify folder location
Engage with lab assistance before AU
 Ask them to run through the material before AU
 During the lab





Introduce a section – why is this topic important
Demonstrate the steps / process – get the students attention
Students exercise time – give the students time to complete the tasks
Do not interrupt the student’s exercise time
Walk around and answer question (turn off your microphone)
Conclusion






Handout – clear, precise and accurate
PPT – support the handout and help keep the class on track
Presentation – be energetic, be confident, and transfer your knowledge
Ask questions on the AU speaker forum
Have fun
Questions
Thank You
Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear
in this document. © 2013 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.