How do slide “designers” work with presenters to optimize the delivery of content? In a featured article published in October 2012 on Geetesh Bajaj’s INDEZINE blog, Tom Mucciolo shares his experiences of the creative collaboration techniques used by content creators to intergrate visual support across a diverse group of speakers.
Read the whole story: Slides and Speakers
Body language is clearly a function of energy and action. The non-verbal cues dominate during planned or prepared speaking venues and the first Presidential debate was no exception.
Using a series of captured images from the debate of October 3, 2012, an analysis of the differences between the candidates offers a glimpse into what turned out to be two quite unexpected performances.
Click on the image to navigate to the visual analysis. 
What were presentations like 30 years ago? Where are they headed? In a featured article published in September 2012 on Geetesh Bajaj’s INDEZINE blog, Tom Mucciolo shares his experiences of the evolving presentation technologies from the early 1980’s through the present day, with a look ahead towards tomorrow.
Read the whole story: Presentations Perspective
The characteristics of experts revolve around the dynamic relationship among the core elements of knowledge, experience, problem-solving, talent, and context. In a featured article published in June 2012 on The EvoLLLution blog, Tom Mucciolo and Leila Jahangiri discuss how experts use a problem-solving ability of “connecting the dots” in order to show the relationships among what otherwise might be isolated bits of information.
Read the whole story: Elements of Expertise: Connecting the Dots . . . .
What do you like most and least in a speaker? The research findings point to 21 skills that audiences identified as characteristics of effectiveness. In a featured article published in April 2012 on The EvoLLLution blog, Tom Mucciolo and Leila Jahangiri describe their extensive study which led to the development of a series of interactive assessment tools that can be used for self-improvement.
Read the whole story: Diary of an Electronic Assessment
Can academia work hand-in-hand with business? The answer appears to be a resounding “YES!” In a featured article published in April 2012 on The EvoLLLution blog, Tom Mucciolo and Leila Jahangiri reflect on how their seemingly diverse backgrounds complemented one another to develop research aimed at helping teachers and presenters become more effective communicators.
Read the whole story: An Effective Collaboration
Fillers (um, uh, er, you know, right, etc.) are vocal distractions that interrupt the rhythm of speech and may reduce the effectiveness of the content. How many times have you found yourself unable to say just the right thing at the right time? In a featured article published in the January 2012 issue of the PresentationXpert newsletter, Tom Mucciolo and Leila Jahangiri share an excerpt from their recently published book, A Guide to Better Teaching.
Read the whole story: Eliminate Insidious Vocal Distractions in Speaking
It is interesting how a society makes psychological associations with colors based on appearances or cultural habits. Some of these associations shared in the United States include “red” being associated with danger and “green” being associated with money. While green is the color of U.S. currency, does “green” actually mean money? Continue reading
The paper-white display of your PC is not a distraction because you can look away whenever you want, or switch to a different program to alter your view of content. But when you watch a presentation, you are being asked to keep your attention fixed for a longer period, with no ability to change the display to the next image. To maintain attention, proper visual contrast is necessary in the design. Continue reading
After six years of extensive research, Leila Jahangiri and Tom Mucciolo have collaborated on a comprehensive publication about teaching and presentation effectiveness.
A Guide to Better Teaching is a self-help book that provides a new teacher, an adjunct faculty, or a seasoned professor with a thorough understanding of what it takes to be an effective teacher. Several interactive assessment tools are also included to measure levels of effectiveness according to learner preferences.
Each chapter is filled with detailed explanations, relevant stories, and action-driven tables that help teachers understand and apply skills. This book aims to enhance teaching skills by offering critical perspectives, practical suggestions, and techniques for improvement.
Continue reading