Digital Presentation Skills

Overview

This 70-minute lesson is designed for 7th-grade students to develop skills in using presentation software effectively. The session aligns with ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards for Students, particularly Empowered Learner (1a-d) and Creative Communicator (6a-d). The focus is on creating an engaging visual presentation while incorporating design principles and storytelling techniques.

The lesson aims to provide hands-on experience, foster creativity, and build confidence in presenting ideas using technology.

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Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Understand basic design principles for creating visually appealing slides.
2. Identify key features of a presentation software (e.g., layouts, animations, transitions, and templates).
3. Create a short presentation incorporating text, images, and transitions.
4. Reflect on how technology can enhance communication and storytelling.

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Materials Needed

1. Devices: Laptops or tablets with pre-installed presentation software (e.g., Google Slides, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Canva). If allowed, students may use AI tools such as autocategorization of slides in the software.
2. Projector or interactive whiteboard for teacher instruction.
3. Pre-made example presentation (to demonstrate good design principles).
4. Rubric for assessing presentations (provided to students at the start).

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Lesson Preparation

• Pre-load devices with the necessary software and ensure internet connectivity.
• Prepare visuals (e.g., slide examples showcasing good vs. poor design) for class demonstration.
• Set up a folder for students to submit their presentations post-class.

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Lesson Schedule

1. Warm-Up Activity (10 minutes)

Objective: Engage students and activate prior knowledge.

• Begin with a brain teaser: “If you had to choose one image to communicate who you are, what would it be and why?”
• Display a slide with a simple but effective design. Ask students to identify what makes it visually appealing (e.g., color scheme, font choice, balance of text and visuals).
• Briefly discuss the power of visuals to communicate ideas effectively.

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2. Direct Instruction (15 minutes)

Objective: Introduce key concepts of effective presentations.

Use a short teacher-led demo on the classroom projector, modeling the following:

A. Slide Design Basics

• Less is More: Avoid overcrowding slides with text. Use concise points.
• Font Tips: Choose readable fonts; avoid "fancy" ones. Stick to 1-2 font types.
• Color: Use complementary color schemes. Avoid red text on a green background.
• White Space: Leave room around text and visuals for better readability.

B. Features in Presentation Software

• Creating slide layouts (e.g., title slides, content slides).
• Adding images, shapes, and SmartArt.
• Using animations sparingly for emphasis (not distraction).
• Applying slide transitions appropriately.

C. Storytelling Structure

• Hook your audience in the beginning (e.g., use a question, photo, or quote).
• Present 3-5 key ideas clearly.
• End with a strong call-to-action or summary statement.

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3. Guided Practice (15 minutes)

Objective: Allow students to explore the software with teacher support.

• Students log into their devices and open the presentation application.
• Assign a mini-task: "Create two slides introducing yourself. Include one image, a title, and a short bullet-point description on each slide."
• Walk around the classroom offering assistance (e.g., helping with inserting images, formatting, or adjusting layout).
• Encourage students to experiment with transitions or animations on one of their slides.

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4. Independent Work (20 minutes)

Objective: Empower students to create a personalized project.

• Assign students to create a 3-slide mini-presentation on a simple topic like “My Favorite Hobby” or “My Dream Career.”

• Students should include:

  • Slide 1: Title and an engaging photo.
  • Slide 2: 3 bullet points of information supported by an image or graphic.
  • Slide 3: A closing thought or call to action.

• Encourage creativity while reinforcing design principles covered earlier.

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5. Share and Reflect (10 minutes)

Objective: Promote peer learning and evaluate understanding.

• Randomly select 3-4 students to display their presentations to the class using the projector.

• After each presentation, invite constructive feedback from classmates:

  • What did you like about the design?
  • What could make it even better?

• Conclude with a class discussion: “How can using technology make communication more effective?”

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Homework/Extension Activity

For homework, students will expand their mini-project into a full 5-slide presentation to be submitted by the next lesson. They should focus on:

• Including at least one chart or table.
• Incorporating a theme or unified design.

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Assessment

Use the following rubric to evaluate the success of the class exercise and homework:

Criteria	Points
Slide Design (Consistency, Readability)	10
Use of Software Features (Transitions, Images)	10
Creativity and Effort	5
Storytelling and Message Clarity	5

Total: 30 Points

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Differentiation

• Support: Pair struggling students with a peer buddy for the activity. Create a "cheat sheet" with step-by-step instructions for basic features in the software.
• Challenge: Encourage advanced students to explore embedding videos or hyperlinks into their presentations.

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Conclusion

By integrating design principles, storytelling, and hands-on practice, this lesson equips students with essential digital presentation skills for academic and real-world success.