advantage of visual aids

Visual aids are learning tools that educators and presenters use to convey an idea more effectively. It is important that visual aids are tailored for a particular audience, depending on their needs. Also, teachers and presenters should use visual aids only as helping tools and not depend on them to teach a subject. Here are some of the many benefits of visual aids.

Advantages of Visual Aids

Visual Aids:
Strengthen the clarity of the speaker’s message
Increase the interest of the speaker’s information
Make a speaker’s message easier for listeners to retain
Enhance the speaker’s credibility
Can improve the speaker’s persuasion
Helps combat stage fright

Types of Visual Aids:
Objects
Models
Small-scale of large object
Large-scale of small object
Life-sized model
Photographs- enlarged
Drawings
Diagrams, sketches, maps
Can be specifically designed for particular speech
Graphs
Line- best for statistical trends
Pie- effective for distribution patterns
Bar- well suited for showing comparisons
Charts
Summaries of large blocks of information
Speaker’s body
Demonstration showing how to do something
Requires practice to coordinate body with words
Transparencies
Inexpensive and easy
Writing must be large enough
Use appropriate font
Speaker should rehearse with overhead projector
Can use multiple layers for overhead

Power Point- quick, easy, and effective

Slides and Video footage
Slides best if you have many
Video is effective IF it is edited skillfully and integrated smoothly into speech
Speaker should practice with equipment in room before presenting

Guidelines for VA Preparation

Prepare in advance!
Keep them simple- should be straightforward, clear, and uncluttered
Make sure visual aids are large enough
Use Fonts that are easy to read
Font size – should be 36 pt for titles 24 pt for subtitles
Use color effectively

Tips for presenting Visual Aids

Avoid using the chalkboard – back often faces the