The Continuing Education Committee annually reviews the evaluations and comments from PDC registrants. The course participants’ most often cited suggestions are listed below. These suggestions are intended to assist you; following them can help insure a quality and effective presentation.

Commercialism/Copyrights

PDC’s are educational. Instructors are not permitted to sell, promote, or advertise services, products, materials, books, tapes, etc. Presentations or handouts that suggest commercialism are not acceptable. Use caution to ensure that examples do not resemble or sound like trade names, i.e., “ABC Company.” Do not use company logos in printed handout materials.
If you possess the content copyright, please place organization name and the copyright notice only on the first page of the presentation and the handout.  If you are using others’ copyright content, you must include permission to use with your handouts. 

PREPARATION

Preparing PowerPoint Slides

Instructors are required to provide personal laptops

• 18-point type is the minimum recommendation; use a plain text font such as Arial or Times Roman; number all slides.
• Follow the ‘light on dark’ rule. Light colors such as white and yellow should be used for text (never use red). Dark colors such as black or blue should be used as a background color. Do not use blues and greens on a dark background and avoid graphics (swirls, clouds) as background.
• Limit each slide to one idea and to a maximum of six lines, double-spaced.
• Use several simple slides rather than one complicated table; use a series of slides to expand a single point. Use bullets for effect and limit to three per slide.
• Endeavor to produce all slides in the same direction, landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical).
• Keep style and spacing consistent; allow for margins.
• Update all slide images – avoid dated images which may give an impression of dated material.  

Preparing Handouts

• Handouts should not be excessive, but appropriate for the length of the course.
• Instructor must obtain permission to use copyright material
• Agenda and instructor names, contact information and biography(ies) should be placed in front. 
• Include a Table of Contents and Glossary for unfamiliar terms.
• Copies of ALL slides displayed should be included in handouts.
• Handouts should follow the order of the slide presentation.
• Print handout slides three to a page; all pages should be double-sided.
• Include related articles, references, tables, etc., and any other relevant material.
• All materials must be presentable; avoid smudged, hard to read pages.
• Number all pages consecutively and include the PDC course number in the footer.
• All handouts will be printed in “pure” black and white. Pictures and images will print grayscale; insure a good contrast in all images and/or graphics. You may want to print a test version in  “pure black and white”  to make sure all graphic images appear correctly.
• Make certain all course materials are available in quantity in advance; instructors cannot rely on on-site reproduction capabilities or quality. 

EXECUTION

Content

• Strive to meet course outcomes. Inform the class what the course is about and what it is NOT about; cover all material and adhere to the schedule and agenda.
• Provide a reference and resource list; make certain all URL’s are current and correct.
• Stated course description and learning level should match the delivered presentation.
• Incorporate good demonstrations, hands-on exercise, case studies, and relevant practical information.

Conducting the Course

Arrive before the course begins to become familiar with the room, lighting and audiovisual equipment. Introduce yourself to the monitor who is there to assist you and the participants.

• Inform the monitor of any questions or concerns related to the operation of equipment, lights, handouts, support materials, etc.
• Provide the monitor with one complete set of all session support materials.
• Start the session with administrative announcements including those from the monitor.
• If you introduce members of the audience, be brief so as not to lose instruction time.
• If you solicit a list of learning objectives, questions, issues, etc. from students at the beginning of the class, be sure to allow time for review at the end of the course.
• Be sure instructions are clearly understood before breaking into small groups.
• The size of a breakout group should be no more than eight.
• Remember to bring a computer; computers are not provided for PDC sessions.
• Coordinate all non-standard room sets or load in requirements with AIHA staff in advance.

Presentation Tips

• Always face the audience and speak in a clear, strong voice. Microphones are not provided, unless requested.
• An informal conversational style is the most effective and comfortable style for delivery.
• Avoid jargon, highly specialized vocabulary, and abbreviations (define all acronyms).
• Do NOT read the presentation word for word.
• Repeat questions for all to hear before answering.
• Provide appropriate tie-ins between speakers; courses are not a series of unconnected speakers.

Innovative Learning Aids

• Offer participants new tools and job skills they can take back to the workplace.
• Offer ways to unlock the creative thought process and implement new ideas.
• Offer pre- and post-conference scenarios/activities with real world, on the job, applications.
• Offer reading materials and/or surveys in advance to prepare participants.
• Use innovative delivery methods.

Members of the Communications and Training Methods Committee has offered their assistance to any PDC instructor who may wish to improve his/her presentation skills. Contact AIHA staff for details. 

 

These guidelines have been gleaned from past monitor, auditor, and participant comments and are intended to assist you in presenting your PDC.

 

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