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
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Last modified: Sunday, 2 June 2024, 4:00 AM