We live in a multimedia age. Schools no longer operate with a teacher lecturing while the students take notes. They use computers, projectors, video clips and interaction as the students discover and learn for themselves. Youth leaders in the Church need to adapt and change to these teaching techniques too if we want the young people we serve to engage fully in what we are trying to teach.
There are numerous computer presentation software available reasonably cheaply nowadays. There is no excuse for not making use of them. However, I must offer a word of caution first. I have seen, sadly all too often, leaders use an exciting powerpoint to disguise the fact that their teaching plan has not been fully worked through and probably more time has been spent on making the powerpoint ‘zip’ than what they are actually trying to communicate to the young people in the youth group. Our PowerPoint* presentations should enhance what we are teaching, not become an excuse for poor communication and discipleship.
* I use PowerPoint as a genre title rather than particularly recommending this software. Personally,I love Keynote on the Mac, which is much more versatile and can convert to use on a PC with PowerPoint.
Having said that, we must embrace this technology and use it to help teenagers connect easily with our sessions and to grow closer to God as a result.
[pullquote]We must embrace this technology and use it help teenagers connect easily and grow closer to God[/pullquote]
1. We retain more of what we see than what we hear
American educationalist, Edgar Dale, carried out research which concluded that we remember 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see but 50% of what we hear and see. We need to make sure that as we communicate we do so both audibly and visually.
2. It summarises our teaching points
If we use PowerPoint well it won’t repeat what we are saying but will be a useful summary for those watching as to the main elements of the teaching. Often I see leaders using a PowerPoint as their notes so they are reading off of the screen. No! Most, if not all, in the room can read the screen so add to it don’t simply replicate. The only time we should read off of the screen is to add extra emphasis of the importance of what we are saying, perhaps a quote or a specific Bible verse.
3. Use dynamic images and few words
This generation is a visual generation. Look at the growing trends in images on social media, particularly Instagram and Snapchat. We need to use PowerPoint to offer inspirational, dynamic images which help unlock what we are saying. Keep the number of words on a slide to a minimum. Don’t put whole sentences up but look to use key phrases instead. If there is more text on the screen than blank space, we have got it wrong and are using the medium incorrectly.
4. Embed video clips whenever possible
Use of film and video clips can bring a presentation to life. It can introduce humour as well as help to reiterate a particular teaching point. Presentation software enables you to embed clips and internet links into the presentation so you don’t have to flick between windows on the computer or distract the young people by watching you take time out to find the clip. Make sure that your presentation flows as smoothly as possible. They are a computer savvy age group so make sure you don’t look out of your depth!
5. Don’t overdo the transitions and animations
The temptation with all presentation software is to get carried away with the swipes, appearances and transitions available to you. These may seem fun but actually most of the time they will distract the viewer from your message as they notice the animation more than the content. Make sure the message is the most important element of your communication.
6. Use it for games
There are a host of PowerPoint games you can download and use now. These can keep score for teams or be used for quizzes etc. Use these as, again, it makes what you are doing visually stimulating and engages the group more. Visit our games page to find some suggestions.
7. Use it as a backdrop
You don’t need to overdose on slide quantity. You might only use 3 or 4. Use the screen as a backdrop for your session. It may simply have the group’s logo or mission statement on. Think carefully about what you want the young people to reflect on as you speak and use that image on the screen throughout the session.
Young people will know how to operate this software just as well, if not better, as we do so make sure that you use it well,or, better, get them involved too.
One final tip, when preparing your session resist the temptation to start with the PowerPoint. You must write the content first. Otherwise you will fall into the trap of making the visuals drive the content. It must be the other way around.
How have you used Powerpoint to enhance a youth group session? What are some of the possibilities? Please leave a comment or question below.