The big question - PowerPoint, what is appropriate,when and why?

May's Big Question in the Learning Curcuits Blog is PowerPoint: what is appropriate, when and why? Now I have just finished a three part posting on the subject of visualisation, so the body of my answer to this question can be found there:

The power of pictures - part 1
The power of pictures - part 2
The power of pictures - part 3

But I can't resist trying to draw my thoughts on the subject together in some way so here goes. First I think I should declare my belief in the notion that, although the auditory channel is useful, we are all basically visual learners. The majority of our sensory input is visual and visualisations are a powerful aid to memory.

Finding the formula

So, what is the right formula for a face-to-face presentation? Well, making the big assumption that the presenter has an interesting and relevant message that he or she wishes to convey, and which they are capable of expressing in a clear and engaging manner, then:

1. Voice alone = possible under-stimulation (the presenter speaks at 150-200 words per minute, but you are capable of listening at 800-1200 words per minute) and insufficient visual stimulus (there`are obvious but rare exceptions when the speaker seems to be able to paint pictures with their words).
2. Voice + note-taking = a step forward (if you are a good note-taker, you will be able to compensate for the lack of visual aids to create your own visualisations).
3. Voice + slides composed mostly of text = potential overload (now you have two verbal channels - voice and text - sometimes in conflict with each other) and still insufficient visual stimulus (text on a slide is not a visual aid; many slides need some text but 'every word on a slide is an admission of defeat').
4. Voice + slides that are genuine visual aids = the right sensory balance (compatible use of both auditory and visual channels) but still some risk that the message won't stick (you need to work with the ideas to make them your own).
5. Voice + genuine visual aids + note-taking = a reasonable possibility that you might act on what you're seeing and hearing (as a good note-taker, you'll improve the chances that the message will stick).
6. Voice + genuine visual aids + note-taking + interaction with the speaker = the foundations for a learning experience (now you're an active participant, you're more likely to be engaged and able to clarify misunderstandings; however, a lot depends on the quality and appropriateness of the interaction).

Not exactly Einstein, but my contribution nonetheless.