I love technology and I applaud speakers, preachers, teachers and others who use an iPad or other tablet for your speaking notes. But as much I want people to know you're savvy with technology, here's a few cautions—some issues I'm seeing a lot out there on podiums, pulpits, and classrooms:
1. Speakers tend to hunch over when using a tablet. I watched a teacher last week spend his entire talk hunched over the podium looking at his tablet like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. You can see paper notes from every angle and direction, but it's not so easy with a tablet. Hunched over, you look like you're in your own little world and not interested in the audience.
2. Speakers tend to lose eye contact with the audience when using a tablet. It's a smaller space than a piece of paper so you tend to turn pages more often and struggle to keep track of where you are on the screen. As a result, you lose eye contact with the audience, and when you do that, you lose them.
3. Speakers can look inept with the technology. In your effort to look tech savvy, it often backfires. Let's face it, a tablet can be tricky in front of an audience. Text moves, pages turn, documents close, notes disappear. I can't tell you how many times I've suffered through a speaker saying, "Hang on, I've lost my place," or "Where did it go? I had it right here" or "Whoops, I think I've lost my talk" or "Hey (insert assistant's name here) can you come up and help me find my notes?"
Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Here's some solutions to help you feel more confident and comfortable:
1. Practice, practice, practice. Get as comfortable with a tablet as you are with note cards or paper.
2. Learn to stop the rotation, hold the page, increase or decrease the font size, set the screen saver, and much more. Also find a pdf reader or other notes app that you're comfortable using. Make sure the settings won't betray you in front of a crowd.
3. Learn to hold it well. Get a partial cover with gripping back so it says in your hand. Learn where the buttons and the on-screen navigation tools are so you don't hit them by mistake.
4. Learn to keep eye contact with the audience. Don't let a tablet pin you to the lectern or keep your eyes away from the audience.
Your goal should be to make the tablet invisible. If the audience becomes fixated on your poor handling of the device, that means they're not paying attention to you or your message.
A tablet can be a powerful tool for speakers, so learn to use it well.
Do you have any other suggestions that have worked for you?
Phil Cooke is a filmmaker, media strategist and the author of One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do. Find out more at philcooke.com.
For the original article, visit philcooke.com.
Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Dr. Mark Rutland's
National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)
The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!
FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.
Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like you’re not growing? Do you need help from an expert in leadership? There is no other leadership training like the NICL. Gain the leadership skills and confidence you need to lead your church, business or ministry. Get ready to accomplish all of your God-given dreams. CLICK HERE for NICL training dates and details.The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.