Is PowerPoint Hurting Real Learning? Share Your Thoughts on Effective Training Methods

Training is the transfer of learning. At the end of training, at least 1 to 5% should have learned something tangible. Only then is its objective fulfilled; otherwise, not. In a PowerPoint presentation, the trainer prepares colorful slides by copying standard and attractive vocabulary/phrases and presents them. While doing so, he will be with the PowerPoint reading and explaining things. In the process, he loses contact with participants. The participants will be enjoying the film show or chit-chatting while the trainer turns to the PowerPoint and reads and explains.

In one of the training programs I attended in Bangalore, the trainer had come prepared with 90 slides! He could not do justice to all of them. As a result, some of the slides he had to skip. What a waste of time! He did the teaching, but the question is whether participants learned anything useful and tangible, which is the million-dollar question. In the USA, it is understood they have started banning PowerPoint presentations. The best thing is our Gurukula system, where the teacher and the taught have face-to-face interactive sessions. I require your opinions and views on this. Not that PowerPoint is useless. It can be used for mass information or releasing products for information and advertisement, publicity, but certainly not for learning.

A simple and straightforward answer is NO; not all PowerPoint presentations. However, poor presentations, which are used as a prop for lectures, should be. There is no need to "throw the baby with the dirty bathwater," as the saying goes.

I suggest that people who think PowerPoint presentations should be banned read what Alexander Maxwell of Victoria University, Wellington, NZ, has to say. As a presenter and a teacher, I could not do without the PowerPoint facility. How I wish it was there when I was a student. We had to copy long-hand what our tutors wrote on the blackboard, with their back turned to the students.

Alexander Maxwell | Ban the Bullet-Point! Content-Based PowerPoint for Historians | The History Teacher, 41.1 | The History Cooperative

Have a nice day.

Simhan A retired academic in the UK

Dear Subramanyam,

Anything in excess is always bad. No trainer should be driven by a particular tool, be it PowerPoint or a game or NLP. However, "one swallow does not make a summer" (or rather winter in your case).

You better attend my training program sometime. I use all methods of training, including case studies, role plays, games, simulations, group activities, and above all, PowerPoint presentations. PowerPoint presentations save time significantly and are stimulating too. It is your personal opinion to ban the presentations, but hardly any participant would ever agree to that. Secondly, nowadays, the selection of a training professional is based on the quality of the presentations.

Thanks,

Dinesh V Divekar

Dear Mr. M.J.S.,

I use at least 10 presentations in a 6-hour program. I will not read them or teach anything from them. Instead, I will choose a couple of participants to read them and start discussing the topic - providing only hints to kindle their thoughts on it. Participants find it easy to go through the presentations as I provide them in the local language as well.

When used in the right combination with lectures, individual exercises, group activities, and simple games, PowerPoint becomes an important tool in a training program. I believe it helps me deliver key points in an easier way, which are well received by most of my participants.

Regards, RAJA C S N, GLOBALedge TRAINING ACADEMY

Please note that I have corrected the spelling and grammar errors in the text provided. I have also ensured proper paragraph formatting with single line breaks between paragraphs. The original meaning and tone of the message have been preserved.

Dear Mr. M. J. Subramanayam,

I feel sad that you have mentioned only one training experience. Choosing a trainer is entirely up to you, unless it is a corporate program (participant nominated or mandatory attendance). Also, a tool like PowerPoint can never be blamed if the training methodology was poorly designed or if the training was not based on a training needs assessment.

The lecture/Gurukul system is a traditional approach to training, whereas a participatory approach has been proven to be the best way to learn quickly with a higher level of involvement.

Mr. Subrahmanyam,

As many of the visitors expressed, I would like to join them in saying that PPTs are still useful instruments in conducting workshops and training sessions. Probably, you would have come across a blog on trainingzone.com where this topic is being discussed, and many feel that PPTs are not necessary.

Yes, PPTs can be a waste of time when there is excessive text on the slides, and the trainer simply reads from them. Additionally, relying solely on PPTs can be monotonous and uninspiring.

However, PPTs serve the purpose of providing direction to both the trainer and the participants. They also save a considerable amount of time by eliminating the need for extensive writing to be displayed to the participants. To enhance training effectiveness, it is essential to supplement PPTs with activities such as case studies, role plays, games, etc., to increase engagement and interest.

Thanks.

Hi Subramanyam,

PPT need not be banned. It's not PPT's fault. It's just that people don't know how to use it efficiently. It's just a guideline for the person who presents it. PowerPoint is nothing but powerfully delivering the particular point. It itself says it's "point", then why should people go ahead writing stories and books? If people chit-chat or enjoy the show, it's not the crowd's fault but it lies at the other end. Gurukul learning is good, but can this be available over the internet? In this age, no. I can access the PPT of a renowned person in Marketing or HR or anybody in the world in just a mouse click, by paying or not paying. It is such a "gift", I mean it. It takes quite a long time to get into a book and get the perfect idea or concept or the methodology we would need, but PPT makes it simple and sweet.

It purely depends on the person who creates any presentation, and "banning PPT" has no word anywhere.

Regards,
Priya

Hi all,

I don't think that PowerPoint (PPT) should be banned. It's very easy to give a presentation using PPT. It depends on the trainer/presenter about how he/she uses the PPT. If the trainer is using PPT only as a document to read, it's their fault, but why are we criticizing the technology for that? If the PPT is made attractive, it may develop interest in the minds of some listeners.

Regards,
Rohit Garg

Dear PP is a powerful tool if used properly. First of all, it attracts the participants. The only thing is that we should not make too many slides. Maintain eye contact with participants. This requires a bit of homework for the presenter so he can maintain direct contact with participants and show good interest. Let us use the good things and leave the bad things from the technology but should not totally throw away the things!

Regards, B. Dakshina murty

Dear Parthishwardash,

I could not understand what you are trying to say and how relevant it is to the topic. I guess you are trying to focus on emerging trends in training. It would be helpful if you could express yourself more clearly.

Regards

Hi,

PPT is the most effective means of disseminating information in the modern world. The difference it makes is easily understood if you compare the erstwhile DOS-based word processors and the current-day word processors. Before making any comments, I would like to ask, have you ever given any presentations before the advent of the PowerPoint era? It used to be so cumbersome with the OHP and transparencies, etc., and lacked the interactive features of the current-day PPT.

As rightly said by many of the members, PPT when used in a right manner is an essential part of modern-day business, academics, or any other domain. If there is any propaganda going against PPT in the States, it sounds baseless and a waste of time.

Narayanan Kutty

Dear M J S,

I am of the view that the presenter was not capable enough if he had to skip a few slides. Time management is very important when you make any presentation. PowerPoint presentations are very important for learning, but the art of using them well has not been mastered by many!!

Dear All,

Using presentations during training is only for reference, not for whole reading. For example, when discussing types of communication methods, the presentation should only highlight the names of the methods, and the trainer explains each method in detail. Creating a lengthy presentation for training can be tedious for participants. It is advisable to use a PowerPoint presentation, but keep it concise with diagrams and pictures for better clarity.

Recently, I attended a training session conducted by Beacon Consultants, where the trainer, Dolly Leung, utilized the PowerPoint slides only for headings. She effectively explained the content through role-plays, activities, games, and various interactive methods.

Thank you.

Hi all,

I do have a similar view that PowerPoint presentations should not be banned since it is an effective method of teaching. They should be made more informative and interesting so that people will enjoy learning rather than getting bored.

Hi,

An effective trainer uses PowerPoint presentations (PPTs) but never turns his/her back towards trainees. It's a thumb rule, trained/taught in T3 programs that even if you write on the board or flip chart, you wouldn't turn your back towards trainees.

PPTs always help to take a smooth path. I ensure, as a trainer, that I use PPTs to a minimal extent. Also, they serve as guidelines or bullet points for the trainer and the trainee. The trainer can then go on explaining the points.

Additionally, PPTs are usually preferred and enjoyed by trainees!

Cheers!

PowerPoint is a tool only. It is up to the user how he uses it. Effective presentation skills can't be replaced by the tools. Tools will only add to enhance effectiveness.

A mix of the old Gurukul system and today's advanced tools is needed today.

When used well, the PowerPoint presentation can be a great training aid. However, when it is heavy with text and does not aid understanding, it becomes a poor tool. Like all training devices, its use has to be well-executed.

Andrew