May 13, 2003

Tufte on Powerpoint

Edward Tufte: The Cognitive Style of Powerpoint. A 24 page essay on Powerpoint, and on how to improve presentations.
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Posted at 06:40 AM

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Dan Snodgrass

Regrettably, Tufte makes no effort to analyze the usefulness of presentation methodologies such as Powerpoint facilitates for alternate learning styles. Gardner has identified that people have "multiple intelligences" and that some folks require visual input along with spoken word.

I also find it ironic that Tufte uses bullet points throughout his essay even though they, the title of his essay, his paragraph headings, etc are all "low resolution". Just because a concept has been boiled down to a few words does not make it a bad concept. In fact, one could argue that if you can't make your posit with a bullet point then you need to rethink your argument.

Some of his ideas are sound but overall, the essay is rudimentary. He paints with a broad brush the notion that ALL presentation methodolgy is lacking because some people can't do a quality presentation.

If you want to see how to use presentation technology just look at any Steve Jobs keynote. Tell me Jobs is not using the technology for exactly which it was meant to be used.

D

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