There were two main points from the reading this week, it is better to have graphics in addition to words rather than just words and the graphics and their corresponding words need to be in close proximity. The article added to these points that segmenting information is important and that each segment needs a heading. Ultimately, all these principles are aimed at reducing cognitive overload.
The most concise way to explain these points to a colleague is through the phrases, 'less is more' and 'keep it simple'. All the principles discussed this week lead to reducing the amount of 'stuff' in a presentation, whether it is background images, text, extraneous information, not pertinent images, etc. Multimedia presentations need to be the minimum amount of 'stuff' needed to convey the necessary content. For example, a presentation slide with a heading and a pertinent graphic that serves a purpose past decoration simultaneously accompanied by spoken information should minimize cognitive overload.
PowerPoint type slide presentations are the most frequent offenders of these guidelines. I have seen many slide presentations that violate most of these principles. As the article stated, the abundance of cluttered slide presentations is due largely to the program and how it aides the creation of cluttered slides. I am certain that I am guilty of many of these presentation offenses.
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