NYS DATAG Guidelines for Presentations

NYS DATAG promotes presentations, through the compelling use of data, that challenge one's thinking and beliefs about instruction, curriculum, organizational structures, assessment, evaluation, program development, and other areas of interest in education.

NYS DATAG holds three meetings throughout the year and a culminating Summer Conference built around various presentations sharing best practices for data analysis.  Given our meeting structure, NYS DATAG would like to provide the following guidelines to assist presenters in preparing an informative and successful presentation. 

Content:

1. The purpose of the presentation should be one of the following:
   1. Present information regarding the use of data to inform instruction, framed with statistical support
   2. Provide hands-on training with applications to assist with data analysis
   3. Present curricular innovations framed with statistical and research-based evidence
   4. Present educational action research with statistical support
   5. Present innovative ideas using data to support the hypothesis

2. All presentations at DATAG must include one or more of the following:
   1. An analysis of data
   2. Use of tools to analyze data
   3. Technical and or statistical information regarding the use of data in educational settings
   4. Technical information about educational instruments

Presentation Skills:

A.  Protocols

· It is expected that presenters provide back-up options for their presentations (CD, jump drives, etc,). Laptops and projectors will be provided for the presentations.

· Sufficient copies of the presentation should be provided for the audience. The presentation can be posted on DATAG's website when the presenter provides the materials in advance of the presentation.

· Presentations must be completed within the time allotted.

· Presentations should be applicable to the various members of our audience.  It is incumbent upon the presenter to ensure that the presentation points can be incorporated into any venue and not limited to a specific portion of the state or specific type of educational environment. The examples that illuminate the point may be specific to a locale, but the concept behind the specific example should be broadly applicable.

· Presentation introductions should identify three or fewer points that will be discussed in the presentation.  The body of the presentation should support those points and the summary should review the points. 

· Please speak slowly, clearly, and directly to the audience, facing the audience and not the screen. The audience can read the PowerPoint; the presenter should elaborate on the points displayed.

· Presentations are very powerful if actual examples are used to punctuate a point. Presentations should paint a picture, tell a story, and make comparisons. The outcome of a successful presentation is to leave the participant thinking about how the concept(s) presented might be applied in his/her specific venue.

· Engage the audience. Consider small group activities, table group discussion, and large group participation.

B.  Visual Aids:

· Presentations should use graphical or pictorial representation (i.e. via Powerpoint or other presentation software). 

· Visual aids should support your verbal explanations. As well, visual aids should enhance the verbal message, not detract from it.

· Avoid orange and yellow on your slides.  Those colors do not project well.  However, yellow words on a blue background can be very effective.

· White space should be used in emphasizing points

· Use a simple background, and limit verbiage to 10-15 words per page.

· Keep graphs and charts simple and to the point. Consider a handout if the charts are complex and graphically dense.

Audience Characteristics:

·   Interested in the use of data in educational settings.

·   Generally knowledgeable about assessments, data and technical aspects of both assessments and data.

·   Includes a broad range of roles including all levels of administrators, technical support professionals, and other educationally related professionals.