Presentation for technology

Define the presentation’s purpose

Start preparing by asking, “What will the audience understand or be able to do when the presentation is over?” Note how familiar the audience is with the subject, how much time is available for the presentation, and the expected learning outcome. For a presentation aimed at beginners, defining and illustrating the concept may be a priority; for experts, you need to choose which details are necessary for the purpose. These are not hard-and-fast rules, but decisions you can use to tailor the content to the audience.

Then write the main message in a single sentence. For example, suppose you are preparing a presentation about two-step verification. For now, frame the main message as a working question: “What is the key point I want the audience to understand about this method?” Do not present the technical answer as established fact until you have verified it against the relevant service’s current official documentation. Removing background history and tangential details that do not serve the main message can help keep the presentation focused.

Prepare your sources and flow

If you are describing a product- or service-specific feature, do not assume it exists based on general technology knowledge. Find the appropriate official documentation for the product, version, and function you will mention in the presentation; check whether the documentation actually supports the claim. If you cannot find a source for a point, either leave it out of the presentation or identify it as a question that needs verification. Citing a source alone does not guarantee that a claim is accurate; also check that the slide’s wording matches the source.

On one page, fill in these four headings: audience, duration, learning objective, and example. Then divide the presentation into a few main sections and prepare the slides around this outline. Elon University’s presentation design guide considers how people learn through multimedia when addressing presentation design (Elon University presentation design guide). This source does not prove the accuracy of any particular technical subject; it is a guide you can consult when planning presentation design.

Simplify the concept while preserving its meaning

First, try to explain the concept accurately in technical terms in your own notes. Then choose the parts the audience needs in order to understand the main message. A useful order might be: what question is being addressed, what is the basic idea, how can it be illustrated with an example, and which points are unclear or specific to a product? This is a presentation-preparation method; it does not replace technical claims about the subject.

If you use an analogy, explain what aspect of the concept it clarifies and where it falls short. If you are unsure that the analogy represents the technical reality, it may be better to leave it out. Instead of copying a long definition onto a slide, use brief phrases, a simple process diagram, or a comparative example; explain what the arrows and labels in the visual represent.

The University of Michigan’s Presentation Technology page notes that these kinds of applications can include video alongside text and graphics, and that course presentations can also use visual examples and questions to check understanding (University of Michigan, Presentation Technology). This does not mean you need to use video or a particular tool in every presentation. Use a visual only if it helps explain the idea being presented.

Concrete example: an outline for a two-step verification presentation

The example below is intended to show the slide flow; it is not a verified explanation of any product feature or of how two-step verification works technically. Let’s imagine the audience is high school students who are new to technology, and the goal is to introduce the subject. Before completing the technical content of the presentation, check the official documentation for the service you have chosen.

• 1. Opening question: “When learning about a technology topic, what questions do you look for answers to?” Bring out the audience’s curiosity about the subject.
• 2. Term: Introduce “two-step verification” as the presentation topic. Add a definition only after verifying it against a reliable and appropriate source.
• 3. Explanatory visual: Based on verified information, prepare a simple diagram showing the steps involved. Do not assume the steps or that every service follows the same order.
• 4. Example: Choose a scenario from everyday life. Verify any technical details you use in the scenario separately; for example, the aim is to help the audience understand the concept, not to add an unverified product claim.
• 5. Closing question: Ask, “What did you learn from this presentation, and which product detail needs to be checked separately?” and summarize the main message.

This structure does not replace verified technical explanations. When adapting a similar plan to preparing a presentation about artificial intelligence or preparing a presentation about the basic components of a computer, also review sources specific to those subjects.

Organize the slides

Try to give each slide one main idea. Write the title so that it not only names the slide’s topic but also shows what you want the audience to take away from it. If a slide has too many terms or steps, divide the content or remove details that are not necessary for the main message. Remember that information moved to speaker notes also needs to be verified.

Consider the intended use when choosing a presentation tool. The University of Michigan page lists tools such as PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides; it also explains that presentation tools can include video alongside text and graphics. If you need to make a decision about a particular tool’s current features, version, or access requirements, do not treat the general description on this page as sufficient evidence; check the relevant tool’s current official documentation.

Rehearse and check understanding

Rehearse the presentation from beginning to end and time it. The aim is not to repeat every detail aloud, but to see whether the flow is easy to follow and whether the example serves the main idea. Check that you explain technical terms the first time they appear and verbally clarify what the visual means. If a section runs over time, first review details that are not necessary for the main message.

Among Tarleton State University’s examples of technology-enhanced teaching are presentations that include questions, interaction, and visual explanation (Tarleton examples of technology-enhanced teaching). These do not prescribe a method that is mandatory for every presentation; if it suits your circumstances, consider adding a brief comprehension question. Asking the audience to explain the main message in their own words can help you identify which section needs to be reviewed.

Final checklist

• Are the audience, duration, and learning objective clear?
• Does every slide contribute to the main message?
• Are technical terms explained, and do the examples support the subject?
• Have product-specific claims been checked against appropriate, current official documentation for the correct product?
• Are unverified points kept from being presented as established facts?
• Is it clear what the visuals represent?
• Has the presentation been rehearsed and timed?
• Is there an appropriate question to check the audience’s understanding?

Frequently asked questions

How many slides should I prepare?

Rather than assuming a fixed number, decide based on the presentation’s duration and the steps that need to be explained. Check that each slide contributes to the main message; do not add repetitive or irrelevant content.

Should I remove technical details entirely?

No. Keep the details needed to understand the main idea. Add product-specific or more advanced information only after verifying it against an appropriate source; do not present a point you cannot verify as a definite claim.