PRDV008: Preparing and Delivering Presentations

Best Practices for Presenting Online

PRESENTATION SETUP

Materials Design Checklist 

GENERAL

• Keep it simple! Avoid clutter
• List presentation objectives at beginning
• Organize content (bullets, slide titles, headers, etc.)
• Use caution when streaming videos within video
• Avoid pulsing or flashing graphics
• Premade template resources: Slides Carnival, Canva
  

FONT

• 1–2 fonts (no more than 3)
• Easy-to-read fonts, used consistently
• Font size no less than ~28 pt 

COLOR 

• Color palette with 1–2 main colors, 1–3 accent colors
  • Tool: Coolors 
• Color Palette Generator
• Accessible color contrast for text, graphics, etc.
  • Tool: WebAIM Contrast Checker • Resource: Color & Color Contrast 

USING GRAPHICS

• 1 graphic design style throughout
• Check for use licensing, such as:
  • A Creative Commons (CC) License
  • Public Domain license (CC0)
  • Notates "free with attribution"
  • Ask owner permission 

ACCESSIBLE GRAPHICS

• Graphics conveying info include 2 types of descriptions:
  • Verbal description during presentation
  • Written description via alt text format option
    • Resource: PowerPoint Alt Text
    • Resource: WebAIM: Alternative Text 

Space Design Checklist

WHAT'S ON SCREEN

Balance between presentation and self on camera

• Alternatively, camera turned on periodically or image of self included during intro 

BACKGROUND NOISE 

• Presentation location is quiet
• Reduce/remove background noise 

PHYSICAL BACKGROUND

• Reduce/remove visual clutter, background movement
• Option: Use virtual background (but test first)
  • Background isn't busy or distracting
  • Not wearing green or bluish-green clothing 

RECORDING ANGLE

• Camera at a level mimicking face-to-face conversation
• Angle camera so as to not look down or up at camera
• Set-up is comfortable 

LIGHTING

• Lighting source isn't visible on camera
• Avoid backlighting
• If available, use ring light (but not necessary) 

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE (STUDENTS)

• Speak with advisor/professor about wardrobe expectations
• General understanding of audience & expectations
• Make educated decisions about appearance
• Most importantly - be yourself

AUDIO/VISUAL CONSIDERATIONS

General A/V Checklist 

GENERAL

• Tools needed: Computer, presentation software, recording software (if prerecording), camera, mic
• Add closed captions to videos with audio 
• Practice with script, outline, or notes
• Advance slides/topics at a good pace 
• Do practice recordings to check A/V quality & adjust
• Tech resources: 
  • Laptop & accessories checkout (Library Circulation Desk, 1st floor) 
  • Edmon Low Creative Studios (Library, 1st floor SE)
  • (Faculty & staff) ITLE's Multimedia Services

Prerecorded Presentations Checklist 

SCREEN RECORDING, SIZE, & RESOLUTION

• Resource: Screen Recording Tools & Info
• Check host or file upload site for size/resolution guidelines
• Screen recording area: Select a widescreen, 16:9 ratio
  • The higher the ratio, the better the resolution
  • Match recording resolution with upload/streaming resolution 
  • Common ratios:
    • 1280 × 720 (standard YouTube)
    • 1920 × 1080 (standard HD) 
    • Resource: List of True 16:9 Resolutions 
• Tip: Minimize taskbar during screen recording 

Live Presentations Checklist 

GENERAL 

• Add audience interactivity where appropriate
• Ensure best possible internet connection
• Be relaxed, ready to address any issues 
• If possible, invite helper to assist 

DEALING WITH LOW BANDWIDTH/ UNRELIABLE INTERNET

• Check software for bandwidth requirement; test internet speed in advance
  • Resource: Internet Speed Test 
• Connect via ethernet cord instead of WiFi 
• Limit devices connected to your internet
• (Zoom) Disable incoming video
• Use call-in by phone for audio or have call-in option ready to go as a back-up (mute call-in unless needed)
• Turn off video
• If sharing files, keep file size low or share before presentation 

WHAT TO DO WHEN INTERNET FAILS

• Have invited helper bridge the gap until you're back
• Turn off video; switch to call-in audio
• Use the chat
• Record presentation and share afterwards
• Share presentation materials before or after session

RESOURCES 

GENERAL GRAPHICS 

• The Noun Project
• Unsplash
• Freepik (select "free" option)
• Pexels
• Pixabay 
• Wikimedia Commons 

INCLUSIVE GRAPHICS 

• Burst
• Disabled & Here
• Nappy
• Images of Empowerment
• OAC's Image Gallery
• All Go's Plus-Size Stock Photos
• The Gender Spectrum Collection 

ONLINE TEACHING

• OSU Institute for Teaching & Learning Excellence Resources
•  ITLE Home 
• Teach Online
  
• Student Engagement & Success

Source: Cristina Colquhoun, https://info.library.okstate.edu/ld.php?content_id=64272230
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.