Module Overview for Week of October 28: Poster Presentation, Part 1

Overview

A common alternative to the traditional slide deck presentation is the digital research poster, which uses a blend of visuals and text to summarize the focus, methods, discussion, and findings of a research project.

Such digital posters have long been a key feature of scientific conferences, where researchers gather to share their work and discoveries with colleagues. It is rare to attend a conference in the sciences that does not hold what are called “poster sessions” concurrently with traditional paper-based presentations.

In “Conference Presentations: Lead the Poster Parade Links to an external site.” (PDF version Download PDF version

) by Chris Woolston, biophysicist Anthony Salvagno, director of education for SciFund Challenge, explains that “[t]he scientific poster remains a crucial currency for communication and connection” within the field. But over the last few years, that has changed—for the better.

Now, research posters are a common feature of any academic conference, even those in the humanities. They serve as a quick and highly effective way of setting forth research in a visual manner.

At poster sessions, researchers typically either stand by their posters and field questions from attendees or they are allotted a specific amount of time to talk about their work as they refer to their posters.

Whichever the case, in order to capture the attention of the viewer, such digital posters must be usable:

• The text included must be sharply and carefully summarized.
• Images included must be accurately sized and complement the textual content.
• The overall design must be eye-catching and easily navigable.

At the end of this module, you will have adapted your recommendation report into a poster presentation, expanded your knowledge of how visuals can complement the written word, and practiced your design skills to create a digital poster presentation that meets usability standards.

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Objectives for this Module

After completing this module, you will be able to

• Describe and understand the persuasive nature of a research poster. (CLO 4)
• Adapt and present in a visual manner the traditional workplace genre of the research report.  (CLO 4)
• Analyze the rhetorical situation and determine how to adapt a lengthy written presentation into a cohesive, clear document for viewers. (CLO 1)
• Apply principles of effective visual design, including hierarchical, chronological, and spatial arrangements. (CLO 6)

Note that you can find the full text of the Course Learning Objectives on the Syllabus.

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Readings for the Week of October 28

1. Poster Presentation: Assignment
2. Markel & Selber, Chapter 21: “Making Oral Presentations”
3. Woolston, Chris. “Conference Presentations: Lead the Poster Parade. Links to an external site.” Nature 536 (115-17). 4 August 2016.
4. Miller, Jane. Preparing and Presenting Effective Research Posters
5. Best Practices for Effective Scientific Posters, by Scientific Publications, Graphics & Media
6. Daily Discussion Posts (DDPs)
   • #WeekendWatch: Why Your Poster Should Tell a Story (available 10/26)
   • #TuesdayTutorial: Effective Poster Presentations (available 10/29)
   • #WednesdayWrite: What Makes a Good Presentation? (available 10/30)
   • #ThursdayThought: Tips for Designing Better Research Posters (available 10/31)
   • #FridayFact: An Effective Research Poster Is a Readable Research Poster (available 11/01)

 

Activities for the Week of April 1

Daily Discussion Posts Activities
(85 minutes—5 posts @ ~15 minutes each plus self-assessment @ ~10 minutes)

• Contribute to any or all of the following Daily Discussion Posts (DDPs) in Canvas)
  • #WeekendWatch: Why Your Poster Should Tell a Story (available 10/26)
  • #TuesdayTutorial: Effective Poster Presentations (available 10/29)
  • #WednesdayWrite: What Makes a Good Presentation? (available 10/30)
  • #ThursdayThought: Tips for Designing Better Research Posters (available 10/31)
  • #FridayFact: An Effective Research Poster Is a Readable Research Poster (available 11/01)
• Complete the DDP Self-Assessment for the Week of 10/28 to report the work you did and record your score (100 points). Be sure to read the self-assessment at the beginning of the week so that you understand the expectations.

Writing Activities
(~6 hours, including time to research and write)

• Complete the any or all of the following Major Writing Project activities (475 points total).
  • These activities contribute to the Research Poster:
    • Poster Presentation: Complete an Audience Profile Sheet (100 points)
    • Poster Presentation: Outline Your Poster (75 points)
    • Poster Presentation: Create a Project Plan (50 points)
    • Poster Presentation: Design Principles Scavenger Hunt (100 points)
    • Poster Presentation: Evaluate a Speaker (50 points)
    • Poster Presentation: Designing a Presentation, from LinkedIn Learning (100 points)

• Ask any questions about the course in the General Q and A Discussion (0 points) in Canvas.
  • Check the General Q and A Discussion for answers before posting.
  • Asking a question is not required. Use the Inbox tool in Canvas for questions about grades or personal information that should not be shared with the class.

Reading Quiz

• Complete the Readings Quiz.
  
  • This quiz covers the reading shown above and is designed to assess your familiarity with concepts you will need to know to produce deliverables for this module. The quiz is the following:
    • 21 Markel, Making Oral Presentations (100 points)

 

 

Photo credit: ENERGY.GOV [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Links to an external site.