2 minute read
Trainee Workshop
Trainee Workshop
We've all sat through it—that painfully awkward PowerPoint, where clip art runs wild, text is microscopic. The presenter reads their slides, word for word, with walls of text that make it impossible to determine if we should be listening or rushing to read (or possibly take notes), lest we miss something critical, before the slide progresses.
On April 24, 2025, the Institute for Pain Research and Care held a workshop for our trainees about the Science of Designing Powerful Presentations. The session was led by Dr. Joe Kim, Associate Professor in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University, and multimedia specialist Paulina Rzeczkowska. Together, they delivered evidence-based strategies to help participants create multimedia presentations that are clear, compelling, and memorable.
The workshop was divided into two key parts. In Part 1, trainees explored the structure of an effective presentation, emphasizing story, message, and audience engagement. In Part 2, participants were introduced to core multimedia design principles, including the importance of avoiding redundancy, managing cognitive load, using meaningful visuals, and segmenting content to enhance learning.
Lunch was also provided, allowing participants to connect informally with the facilitators and one another. Trainees were encouraged to submit their own presentation slides in advance. These were thoughtfully reviewed and adjusted during the session to better reflect principles such as coherence, signalling, and contiguity—ensuring that the message matched the medium.
