Last year I attended Open Source Summit Japan thanks to the Linux Foundation diversity scholarship. As a relatively new coder who had just immersed...
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I just can’t. My brain works in a very specific way: it doesn’t actually remember data but it remembers methods to get that data.
If you ask me to explain something one hundred times, all the hundred explanations will be different.
When I’m preparing slides for a tech talk, it counts as an explanation. And when it’s time to give another explanation (actually say things), the whole thing differs vastly from the slides. It just goes entirely different way.
This is why I write articles instead of talking. I’ve given talks and it felt awesome, but it just seems like it’s not quite my thing.
Or I can just go monologue without any slides at all but it’s not quite the status quo format of modern meetups.
Hi Miloslav, thanks for your comment!
I think what you describe is really interesting and can be great for talks! Maybe such a model won't fit everywhere (e.g. if the event is strict about submitting slides beforehand or abiding by a very specific format) but I certainly think it has great value in other scenarios.
For example, in talks I've given at highschools, where your main goal is to get people involved, conveying a structured amount of information is relegated to a second plane. You need to adapt to the public response's or even spontaneous requests. The goal is to spark interest and there's nothing close to a defined path for that. Maybe changing the way we use slides? Rather that serving as a link between a structured presentation, why not using them as additional resources? To aid in concept visualisation or providing examples, usable in whatever moment you may need them. I think it's very legit to use slides lightly, dynamically, and instead provide previously curated material online (e.g. your blog or Git). Your slide structure will probably differ from most talks, but the fact that your presentation will change each time gives you more opportunity to actively engage with the public.
Of course, it's just an idea - I really enjoyed reading your perspective :)
Thanks!
This really might be the way to deal with slides. I’m not that experienced though (I’ve given few talks so far), but I know the guy who has 2500+ slides keynote he navigate through and use for his every talk.
Great post Patricia! I really like the different reasonings you share to give a talk and love the tips!
I never put a "what we've learned" section but I think I'll start putting it so that people know what they should have captured from the talk :)
Hi Isabel, many thanks for your comment! I'm really glad you found my experiences useful :)
Giving a talk is definitely something everyone should try if they can! All the tips you hit on are great to keep in mind. The key thing I've found is that whatever you talk about, as long as you're passionate about it, people will be eager to listen.
Hi Will, thanks for your comment! Yes, passion is definitely a key - and contagious! - ingredient.