When I first started teaching live online lessons, I was cramming slides with loads of information. It was far too much for my students to read and understand. I think it was a reflection of my anxiety about forgetting things while trying to manage all the technology!
I'm working on simplifying the slides and I think it makes them more effective for my students- anything to reduce the unnecessary cognitive load.
This approach works well:
- - Add the bare minimum text to each slide - key words rather than blocks of text
- - Use transitions to stop everything appearing at once
- - Add pictures but only if they're helpful- ditch the random clipart
- - Use my Wacom digital pen to add notes and draw while I'm teaching
- - Save the digital ink at the end of the lesson and send the slides out as a revision resource
What are your tips for preparing slides before a live lesson?