In defense of PowerPoint

Holmes, Neville (2004) In defense of PowerPoint. Computer, 37 (7). 100, 98-99. ISSN 0018-9162

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MC.2004.54

Abstract

Professionals, not the software packages they use, are responsible for the presentations they make. This essay contradicts the popular and widespread view of PowerPoint being responsible for bad presentations and engendering shallow thinking. The issue is particularly important because teachers in schools are having their pupils give PowerPoint presentations. PowerPoint, and other presentation media, can be used poorly or well, depending on the skill of the user. Much of the essay gives the author's opinion, based on long experience in the computer industry, of how presentations should be designed and delivered, and stresses the need for simplicity. Curiously, the celebrated computer scientist Donald Norman later and independently wrote an essay of the same name and with much the same message (http://www.jnd.org/dn.mss/in_defense_of_p.html).

Item Type:	Article
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Keywords:	PowerPoint, oral presentation, speaking skills, bullet points
Subjects:	330000 Education > 330100 Education Studies > 330107 Educational Technology and Media 280000 Information, Computing and Communication Sciences > 280300 Computer Software > 280305 Multimedia Programming 410000 The Arts > 410100 Performing Arts
ID Code:	1392
Deposited By:	Mr Neville Holmes
Deposited On:	16 Jul 2007
Last Modified:	09 Jan 2008 02:30
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