Trine prof’s article offers tips for effective presentations

A Trine University faculty member had an article published in The Teaching Professor, an online newsletter for college educators.

“Supercharge your Slidedeck for Student Learning” by Jeremy Rentz, Ph.D., the William and Patricia Schantz Distinguished Professor in Trine University’s Reiners Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was published Oct. 23.

The article outlines a comprehensive strategy to revolutionize the use of slides in the classroom. In an era where traditional, text-heavy PowerPoint presentations have become the norm, Jeremy offers a fresh perspective for faculty looking to engage and educate their students effectively.

Jeremy advocates for concise, student-focused slides with no more than 15 words to minimize subvocalization and maximize comprehension. He likens effective slides to billboards, suggesting that simplicity and clarity are essential, with each slide containing just one thought.

Additionally, he underscores the importance of combining graphics and text to harness the brain's dual-processing power, creating a synergy that enhances students' understanding.

“I started the trek toward better slides after being inspired by a session at a Teaching Professor Conference,” Jeremy said. “I am grateful that I can share these practical and effective strategies with other educators looking to improve student learning.”

Jeremy's comprehensive strategy has garnered significant recognition, placing him among the best presenters at the 2023 Teaching Professor Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. His presentation with the same title highlighted these transformative concepts, including him in "The Best of the 2023 Teaching Professor Conference," another publication to be released later this fall by Magna Publications.

Published weekly by Magna Publications, The Teaching Professor aims to help college faculty improve students’ learning.

The article is available for those on the Trine University campus at https://www.teachingprofessor.com/topics/teaching-strategies/supercharge-your-slide-deck-for-student-learning/

Anyone else interested in the article can request a reprint by emailing Jeremy at rentzj@trine.edu.