What are the best practices for instructing CE?
Key guidelines for starting a CE presentation, managing timing, and delivering content clearly and professionally.
Introduction
Getting Started
Begin your presentation by greeting your audience. Tell them who you are, as well as, what company you represent. Provide them with instructions on how to properly fill out their attendance sheets to assure that they will receive any requested credits.
Outline
Tell the audience what will be discussed.
Deliver the specified information.
Summarize what you discussed in the presentation.
Ensure the information was understood.
Presentation Timing
Timing is Everything
Make sure that you stay within the presentation timeline. Ex. If the seminar begins at 1:00PM and ends at 2:00PM, start and end your presentation at those times.
Stick to a Plan
Stay on topic; do not give into temptation to digress. This could eat up your time and allow your audience to disengage, making it a dead-end for your presentation.
Rule of Thumb
Allow two minutes for each slide you use. For topics that you need to elaborate on, use your best judg-ment and tune into the responsiveness of your audience.
Delivery Tips
Avoid Bad Habits
Refrain from saying words such as “um,” “like,” or “you know?”
Face the Room
Do not face the presentation and talk to it. This makes you look disengaged.
Use Eye Contact
Look at the audience as much as possible, but do not fixate on one individual.
Avoid Moving
Moving and pacing back and forth may unnerve your audience.
Manage Delivery
Appropriate speed and pitch changes promote active listening.
Use Gestures
Body language and relevant hand gestures and movements help emphasize points.
Speak Clearly
Do not shout or whisper – speak to the size of the room you are in.
Act Natural
Don’t rush your presentation or talk deliberately slow
to fill time.
Stress Topics
Intentionally pause at key points to cue the audience to pay close attention.
Avoid Jokes
Your audience did not come to hear jokes. Stick to your purpose.