Pecha Kucha, here we come!

One of the really fun activities at our recent Teaching Fellows orientation involved trialling the 20x20 presentation format that we'll be using in our special PechaKucha* event during the CSUED conference this year. PechaKucha events are smaller scale versions of the highly popular PechaKucha nights - ‘informal and fun gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts…in the PechaKucha 20x20 format.’ (Find out more about PechaKucha here).

We used the format to get to know each other - a break from the usual 'ice-breakers' or longer presentations of projects. It worked a treat in that we were able to hear, in a very short, concise way, what was really important to our new Fellows in learning and teaching, and what inspired them as we move further and further into the 'digital age'.

It was interesting to note some of the themes that developed. Relationships, questioning the status quo, and the importance of dialogue and balance all featured strongly. I'm working on a Wordle image to represent our thoughts, and will update this blog post with that when it's ready. 

From my own perspective, this is what I learned about this new format that I'll take with me into CSUED:

• It helped me to start with a 20-point outline of my ideas, outside of any presentation tool (you could of course use the outline view in your presentation tool). That let me focus on the ideas I was trying to get across, rather than on the overwhelming range of great images I could use. That came later. :)
• When developing your list, deciding what to leave out is often more important than deciding what to leave in! Simplify, simplify, simplify. There is no end of great analogies, deep concepts...but in 6 minutes and 40 seconds, you'll need to refine your focus to avoid confusion.
• Time flies...especially when it's only 20 seconds for each slide. Take the time to refine each slide, so that you can clearly get across your message without rushing before the slide moves on.
• Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse...that's how you get to know what you'll have time to say before the slide moves on.
• Remember your copyright basics.
• Some of the best presentations included something personal - we gained a sense of who the presenters were as people, as well as what their ideas were. Some included personal photos, reflections on the things that frustrated as well as inspired them...
• Check that your automatic slide advances work beforehand, and upload before your presentation. With only 6minutes and 40 seconds for each presentation, the less time between presentations the better.

I can't wait 'til CSUED and our Vision2020 event. After our 'trial' run at the orientation, all the Fellows and their EDs commented that they really enjoyed it, and would submit a presentation. Hope we get lots more to boot!

NOTE: The deadline for Vision2020 abstracts is Friday 21st September 2012. If you submit an abstract, we will send you reminders regarding your presentation close to the final submission deadline (Monday 1 October 2012).

Some of the Fellows and their EDs have said that they wouldn't mind re-doing and recording their presentation and making them available to others as examples in the leadup to CSUED. As these become available, I'll share them here. Stay tuned...


* CSU are grateful to the owners of the PechaKucha trademark for allowing us to enter into a handshake agreement to run this special PechaKucha event at CSUED based on their 20x20 format. You can keep up with other PechaKucha pics, presentations and events by following them on Facebook (feel free to like them and post your own presentation).