723 Conducting OSH Training

Using Visual Aids (VA)

But using visuals the right way is just as important as having them in the first place. If your slides, posters, charts, or equipment aren't handled carefully, they can end up being more of a distraction than a help. Here are some practical tips to help you train visual learners more effectively:

• Let your visuals help, but not be your presentation: Don't just read from the slides. Talk directly to your audience and use the visuals to back up what you're saying. This keeps people engaged and focused on you instead of zoning out.
• Present visuals only when you are ready to use them: If you leave a diagram or chart on the screen too early, people might jump ahead or get distracted. Reveal visuals when you're ready to explain them.
• Put visuals away when you're finished with them: Once you've explained a chart or walked through a diagram, take it down or switch to a blank slide. Keeping old visuals up can confuse people or pull their attention away from what's next.
• Rehearse with your visuals: Practice your full presentation with the actual visuals you'll use. This helps you time things out and catch any awkward transitions or unclear images before the session begins.
• Test all audio-visual equipment before using it: Before people arrive, make sure your projector, speakers, screen, and clicker are all working. This avoids delays and frustration when it's time to begin.
• Avoid getting between your visuals and your participants: Don't block the screen while you're speaking. Use a laser pointer or a long stick to highlight parts of the image without standing in the way.
• Write on flipcharts and whiteboards: Drawing or writing while you speak can help reinforce the topic and keeps visual learners engaged. It also allows you to highlight key points in real time.
• Use a pointer to find important items on the screen: Whether it's a laser or even a ruler, having a tool to point things out helps keep attention focused and prevents people from missing important details.
• Avoid moving the equipment while you're using it: Try not to adjust your projector or shift your screen during your talk. Any shaking or movement can be distracting and take attention away from your message.
• Be careful not to use too much animation on slides: A little movement is fine, but if your slides bounce, spin, or fly in from every direction, it becomes hard to focus on what really matters. Keep it simple and clear.

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