It’s fifth period, which is right after lunch so naturally I could really use a nice, long nap. But I’m in seventh grade, and in seventh grade you have to pass social studies. And to this day, I still remember the fundamentals of the subject – not because I was an avid studier – but because my social studies teacher delivered information in the most engaging of ways. From relevant visuals and compelling audio pieces, all the way to the powerful hand gestures and distinct pauses she injected before telling us something important. When you really think about it, teachers are the undercover presenters of the world. And nowhere is a presentation more vital to all than in the education field. Whether a teacher is explaining a concept, a university is attracting students, or a seasoned educator is reflecting on lessons learned, a presentation is a powerful tool. The team at Ethos3 researched several education presentations – analyzing their quality based on the following four areas: content, design, storytelling, and durability. Here is a list of what we believe are the 4 best presentations in education:
1. The Power of Digital Assessment
Content:
In his presentation about the advantages of digital assessment in schools, Jay Ashcroft structured the deck in a fairly easy-to-follow format. For example, his header slides stand out – as they are the slides with the one-color background and single word displayed in bold. These header slides break up the main sections of the presentation: problem, solution, process, proof, and challenge.
Design:
Although primarily text-based, this presentation used several sleek icons to represent different concepts. Text on each slide was limited and powerful – giving the message legs to move the narrative forward.
Storytelling:
Slides 3 to 6 of The Power of Digital Assessment briefly and instantaneously provide the purpose of the presentation. Opening a presentation by introducing a pain point your audience experiences is a perfect way to get attention. Ashcroft presumably maintained his audience’s attention throughout by addressing the problem with a comparison between two dissimilar, yet alike situations and then immediately shooting back his solution.
Durability:
Because this presentation was presented at learning technology meeting, the durability of the message might seem a little weak. Even though the content wasn’t necessarily life-changing, the knowledge of the measurable impact digital assessment has on students could make a splash in the education field for many years.
2. Congratulations Graduate: Eleven Reasons Why I Will Never Hire You
Content:
The 11 reasons referenced in the title are boldly displayed on their respective slides – helping the audience chart a path from the beginning of the deck to the end.
Design:
Many of the slides in the presentation clearly utilize the Rule of Thirds, in addition to a consistent visual theme represented by the pencil-drawn characters.
Storytelling:
This presentation dedicated a large chunk of the deck to describing the current world or environment of its audience (recent college graduate struggling to snatch the job). The perspective of the presenter – a person in a hiring position – produces a slightly sarcastic, totally entertaining, but also extremely helpful tone throughout the presentation.
Durability:
Until seemingly the end of time, people will be searching and applying for jobs. An individual could find this presentation 10, 20, or 50 years from now and it would likely still apply. That’s quintessential durability right there.
3. The Auburn University College of Agriculture Story
Content:
The headers slides are consistent – signaling to the audience the end of one section and beginning of another.
Design:
In the design category, this presentation receives a standing ovation. From the high resolution and large photography and the limited text usage to the inclusion of basic animation and visually-appealing use of fonts, the deck surely wowed audiences. All of this paired with perfect alignment, and this deck is a winner.
Storytelling:
From slide 23 to 61 essentially tell the Auburn University College of Agriculture story. And it is beautiful, effective, and engaging – connecting the work to the everyday routines and resources.
Durability:
Since this is basically a branding guideline presentation, it could be relevant until the brand guidelines change again. Although the presentation message lacks in durability, the design and overall content structure makes up for the deficit.
4. What Teachers Make
Content:
The content is from a poem written by Taylor Mali, so the narrative here is highly structured and in a creative format.
Design:
The design of this presentation, created by Ethos3, is dated, however, the movement created through just text is pretty amazing.
Storytelling:
The presentation narrative is chock full of metaphors and similes – all delivered with a conversational tone capable of resonating with almost any audience.
Durability:
The message of this presentation is highly durable – not only because it is inspirational, but also because it can relate to a fields that extend beyond the education field. We all have at one point been asked how much we make. This presentation questions whether the dollar signs even matter, and what characteristics of a job matter most.
Have you seen any great education presentations lately? Let us know by contacting us on Twitter or Facebook! If you want to learn more about what makes a presentation the best presentation, visit the links below:
Storytelling Tactics: Creating a Moment of “Surprise”
Inspired by Rocky: The Story of Our B2B Marketing Presentation
Why Good Design Isn’t Cheap Design
