Visual aids in learning and communication

Visual Aids

Yes, I agree that sometimes technology and visual aids become more distraction than the presentation itself. One of the popular examples in which the use of visual aids and technology is distraction is where the main concerns of the speaker is not to explain or convince the audience rather state simple facts -- for example, everyone knows that drinking or smoking is harmful for the people, or pollution leads to many diseases in the living bodies. In both of these cases, everyone knows the facts and their effects; therefore, using technology and visual aids is unlikely to add any thing new the presentation. On the contrary, the visual aids are likely to be distraction.

If the speaker wants to make the use of visual aid, the following steps can be taken: first, the speaker can provide the hands-out of the write-up to the audience, since the speaker is not showing an operation rather presenting the simple facts that can be read through the hand-out. If the speaker wants to use the visual aids at all, the speaker needs to make the minimum use of the visual aids, because if the speaker reads from the visual aids, it simply shows that the speaker is unlikely to possess enough expertise on the subject. Third, the speaker should narrate stories and real-life anecdotes to make his or her points. A story or an anecdote is likely to capture the interest of the audience. In fact, in presenting a speech, one needs to make following decisions: Is it necessary to use a visual aid? Is it clear enough? Is it concise? Am I experienced enough to use it?