they Snooze, you Lose: Chapter 2

Synopsis: Chapter Two: Creating slides and handouts

          In chapter two, Dr. Burmark focuses on creating slides and handouts. Dr. Burmark states, “The best way to foster learning involves both words and pictures” (Burmark, 2011). As I read this I thought to myself that its very true, because when I try to explain a science concept to my students, they don’t know what I’m talking about until I show them a video or picture. Dr. Burmark explains that it’s best to give the audience an image and then tell you about it. This helps your brain internalize the visual and auditory at different points and then integrates the two effortlessly. By doing your presentations in this manner it helps the audience to internalize the information better, which leads to an increase in recalling and retaining new information and applying it in the real world circumstances. Dr. Burmark states, "The words are only empty frames until you insert the photographs (Burmark, 2011)." I agree with this statement because without visuals how can one connect what the presenter or teacher is trying to relate to the audience. Visuals are essential in ones classroom, because it helps every student to make a connection with the concept that is being studied.

           Dr. Burmark explains that handouts should be with limited in graphics and have information that is not presented to the audience. The most important part I got from this section is when Dr. Burmark states. “The handout is where you transform what I think is important for you to learn into what you think is important for you to remember” (Burmark, 2011). That the audience should gather information that is important for them to implement in their lives. When presenting your slide show to your audience, in order to get them engage you slides should be mostly images, whereas your handouts should be full blown text with the information you want your audience to obtain/retain.