Using Multimedia

Broadly defined, multimedia involves any tools you use to help communicate your message. They can include simple tools like a chalkboard, flipchart, or flannelgraph. Or they can involve electronic projections units--from the overhead projector, to slide and film projectors, to video, to computer-designed electronic slides.

Advantages of Multimedia

Multimedia can combine video, text, graphics, and sound--a big step above mere speaking.
Multimedia can save you a lot of time describing something. A pie chart can quickly convey information, whereas you would only confuse your audience by verbally stating the same information as numbers and percentages.
Multimedia can replace notes--you take your cues from what's on a screen.
Multimedia makes sure everyone takes in your message the same way. When you describe something verbally, each listerner will all form his own mental picture. But if you give them the actual picture, they all see the same thing.

Tips for Using Multimedia

Rehearse your entire presentation several times. Make sure everything's in order and that the equipment works.
Don't dim the lights until you need to. Keep house lights up as much as possible so people can take notes and read handouts.
Don't let multimedia take over your presentation. It should only support what you say. If people came to hear you speak, don't turn it into a multimedia show.
Don't just flip through your slides or overheads, showing one after another without comment and expecting your audience to grasp the information for themselves. Each one needs some explanation from you.
Remember that using multimedia can enhance your presentation, but it also grabs some of the audience's attention away from you.
Don't point out any problems which may arise with equipment or software. Often, listeners don't know there's a problem unless the speaker says there's a problem. They may think it was supposed to be that way.
Be careful to avoid copyright infringement. Many photos are copyrighted, as are movie clips, songs from CDs and cassettes, music recorded from the radio, and artwork from books and magazines. Much freedom is given regarding the use of copyrighted materials in formal education (schools and colleges), but beyond that, you're on shaky ground.
Audiovisuals need to be used properly. People are tempted to use multimedia just because they can, or because they want to appear to be "hi-tech"--not because multimedia serves a real purpose in the presentation.

Before Putting Together a Multimedia
Presentation, Ask Yourself:

What message do I want to communicate?
Why does that message call for a multimedia presentation?
Do I have the time to do it right?
Do I have the ability?
Could the same message be communicated just as effectively--or more effectively--some other way?

Don't Neglect Your Message

In making presentations, people are tempted to spend more time fiddling with the multimedia aspects of their presentation than with the actual content. That's a mistake.

All presentations need solid, well-organized information, regardless of the visual aids used. Fancy multimedia gimmickry won't compensate for poor content.

And remember: people are listening to you for information and inspiration, not to see special effects.

Besides, you can't impress them with fancy computer effects. No matter what special effects you use, they've seen it before in a much more dazzling way.

Remember: