The rule of 3-30-300: Many presenters say that you should either use three slides, thirty-ish slides or 300-ish slides. It is a very common practice. I have never used 300, but I have used over 200 before on a single presentation.

Medium: In teaching circles, the medium is only the stuff used to present. There are times when power point will not add anything to a presentation. There is never a time when bad power point will add. I think the gist of the post was that, for power point to be affective (yes with an A), it has to be used well.

In churches I have served, we have had this discussion on whether the scripture should be used in power point, read along or not, translations, etc. From an educators perspective, I think the medium used should enhance the learning or experience. There are kids who need help learning to read their Bible but your presentation may not be the best place for that. I don’t always do this, but sometimes I find pictures that help tell the story of the scripture I am reading (ever heard of the block testament?). All I am saying is that I wouldn’t want to limit myself with a blanket statement of having to use the Bible in one way.

It’s the little things our kids watch and it’s the little things that often impact them in a huge way spiritually. I just think with the “emerging” generations coming up it’s going to be more and more important that we stress the Bible as the source from which the communicator is speaking…not the communicator him/ herself is the point I was trying (and failed) at making.

It sounds like you would encourage people to read along even in this situation, which is good! I probably would encourage them to do the same, too, but just to be honest I don’t always follow it myself. By the time I find the passage the reader is often finished with it and on to the next verse anyway, ya know?

(1) it shows kids we use our bibles (this is actually huge)
(2) just because we trust the communicator that does not mean that they are always correct or using the passage correctly.
(3) why spoon feed off of someone else’s spirituality? If we depend on them to do the work for us we are resting in their walk not ours.
(4) I think it teaches our youth [although we never intend it this way] (a) that it’s not important to be in God’s Word (b) that the people communicating are always using God’s Word correctly

These are just my thoughts.

Now here is my dilemma.

1) I have no problem with the research out-right as that is not my field of study.
2) I agree that powerpoint can be way overused. It should be used very simply. I very rarely use more than 10 slides total including my title graphics. I actually loved how you put in that you use them which was a very creative idea that has me thinking about how to implement it.

Here is where I will seperate and go to the extreme:

If the research is true and legit. As a pastor who is teaching the Word we very often as people to read along with us in the Word. This very research could apply there as well. No…Yes…Thoughts????

I really love Garr and his presentation philosophy. I recommend him to every pastor I see (sometimes with the same inward grin I recommend some people to counseling). He has been a great resource for presentation tips and even advice. He just has someone thing that is very helpful to most people.

I look to this blog for the same help in youth ministry. Thanks for helping so many Tim.

Well said…

Thank you…I cam across a decent PPT training video on You Tube…

Isaac