Different Kinds of Visual AIDS

Visual aids are useful in presentations for several reasons. People learn in different ways, and engaging their eyes as well as their ears helps to get the message across more easily. Visual aids also help to keep an audience engaged during the presentation. Good visual aids are interesting, relevant and support the presentation, but never overshadow it.

Function

Visual aids are used to illustrate and enhance a presentation and to create excitement. They engage the audience by asking them to use their eyes as well as their ears and add a dimension to the presentation that helps the audience to remember what they have heard.

Types

There are many different types of visual aids that can be used in a presentation and are limited only by the presenter's creativity. The most common include computer slide shows, white boards or transparencies and handouts. However, presenters may also use video clips, relevant objects and even people as models.

Considerations

In determining what kind of visual aid to use, the presenter should consider the purpose of the presentation, the type of audience, the level of formality and the effect they wish to achieve. A clip from a children's movie may not be appropriate for a business presentation while a chart may bore children. Presenters should also take care that their use of visual aids does not overshadow the presentation or distract the audience.

Warning

When using handouts or objects, they should not be passed around the room during the presentation as this causes a distraction. If handouts will be referred to during the presentation, they should be given to the audience before it is begun. Computer slide shows can also be a distraction. Slides should be used to summarize or illustrate a point. Each slide should only have a few words and never contain the text of the speech.

Warning

Just as presentations should be practiced in advance, preparations for effective visual aids should also be made in advance. Consider the distance from the audience to the aid and make sure it is visible to everyone. If you are using any form of technology, the machines should be tested before the audience arrives.

Resources

• Computer grapic presentations