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Concept Version 6
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Utilizing Devices to Enhance Audience Understanding

Visual aids, microphones, video screens, and/or a podium can help enhance audience understanding.

Learning Objective

  • Describe the use of devices in public speaking


Key Points

    • Visual aids such as graphs, handouts, slide show presentations, and objects can help audiences understand complicated subjects. Many people learn visually and need information provided in this context, as well as orally, to enhance learning.
    • A podium can help the presenter provide the audience with necessary information on a topic by offering a place for the speaker to have cue cards or scripts.
    • A microphone is a good way to make sure that everyone in the audience hears the presentation properly. Wireless headsets allow the speaker to amplify the presentation while moving about the audience or reviewing visual aids.
    • A video screen is a good way to make sure the audience can see the entire presentation in a large venue.

Term

  • podium

    A platform on which to stand, as when conducting an orchestra, preaching at a pulpit, or delivering a speech.


Full Text

Utilize Devices to Enhance Audience Understanding

Visual Aid

These speakers at the re:publica XI visual language conference are showcasing their designs using a large-screen digital projector.

Visual Aids

Many people need the assistance of visual material to understand complicated topics. Visual aids help the speaker reinforce the information provided in the speech to increase absorption and retention of the material. Visual aids can include objects, models, handouts, graphs, charts, photos, and slide show presentations. With visual aids, a speaker needs to make sure they adequately enhance the presentation without causing a distraction for the audience.

Podium/Rostrum

A podium can help an audience understand a speech. It allows the speaker to have notes or scripts to make sure the important information is covered regarding the subject matter. Additional information can be included in the notes so that if the audience has any questions the speaker can make sure they provide a complete answer.

Amplification

Amplification is important to make sure that the entire audience can hear the speech properly. Some large auditoriums and amphitheaters are designed to assist acoustics. Still, a microphone is a beneficial addition to a speaker's toolkit. With the advancements in wireless technology, a headset can also be used, enabling the speaker to move about during the presentation, go over visual aids, or enter the audience during the question and answer session.

Video Screens

Video screens are beneficial for an audience, especially those who are seated in a large venue. The screens can help the audience see the speaker and the visual aids better, especially if they are in the back of the room or off to the far right or far left of the stage. Video screens are often available at modern conference centers and auditoriums that can be synced with presentation devices.

With the addition of visual aids, podiums, microphones, and video screens, a presenter can ensure that the audience is able to see, hear, and understand the material properly. When determining the type of visual aids needed for a speech, the speaker needs to consider the subject matter, audience, and venue so that the right materials are used to enhance audience understanding.

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