1) choosing the classic paper; 2) reading the paper and related articles that may be posted on Bb; 3) finding and
comprehending other sources of important background information such as textbook passages, other primary or secondary scientific literature, authoritative websites, discussions with your Lab Instructor, etc.; 4) finding a recent paper (published within the last 5 years) related to the classic paper; 5) deciding what aspects of the two papers should be covered in the talk; 6) composing the PowerPoint presentation; 7) delivering the presentation to the class; and 8) facilitating the Q&A and discussion session that will follow your talk. Obviously, the actual presentation and ensuing discussion will provide the only visible evidence of each student’s participation, so these parts should be shared. How each group does this is the choice of the group. For example, students could present the major parts of the presentation (introduction, methods, results, discussion) alternately, or divide the presentation roughly into thirds. All should lead the Q&A session. C. Logistics Each presentation should take approximately 15 minutes (~5 minutes/person), with an additional few minutes for discussion, questions, and answers. All presentations should be prepared with Microsoft PowerPoint. Presentations will be delivered via the A/V system in the lab room. This system consists of a PC-type computer connected via a VGA cable to the ceiling- mounted projector. The computer has internet access, and there are connecting ports for flash memory drives and external VGA signals from laptops. Other PC-type laptops should be fully compatible, using the VGA cable available in the lab. With many presentations to be given during the lab period, each group must be ready to go on time. So, get to lab early! Each group MUST upload their presentation to the lab section Blackboard site before coming to lab. The presentation files should be uploaded under the same thread where you posted your classic and recent paper choices. All presentations will be accessed through Blackboard. Be aware that strange things sometimes happen to PowerPoint presentations when they are composed on one computer and given on another. This happens more often when a Mac- composed presentation is given on a PC. If your presentation contains associated image, sound, or video files, be sure that all these files are in the same folder as your presentation file. Try to use common fonts and symbols; sometimes these randomly change when you switch computers. The best advice is to test the final draft of your presentation on some other PC. This will usually reveal glitches.
D. Content and Format
• A great deal has been written on how to use PowerPoint, and how not to use it. Google and similar search engines will lead you to the innumerable websites and video clips that offer free advice. Try searching for “effective PowerPoint presentations.” Here are a few tips: • Think about PowerPoint presentations you have seen. What made the good ones effective and interesting? What made the bad ones (doubtlessly more numerous) ineffective and boring? • Use an appropriate number of slides. Five to ten slides would be appropriate, depending on content. • Avoid text-heavy slides, especially with bulleted points. Your audience will either: a) read the text and pay no attention to what you are saying, or b) go glassy-eyed and tune you out completely. If you must have text on your slides, keep it brief and don’t simply read it. • Time-honored advice for any talk is to tell your audience what you’re going to tell them, then tell them, and then tell them what you just told them. Outlines presented at the start, and repeated at the middle and end, can help let your audience know what’s coming up, where you are now, and what points you just covered. • Be sure that your figures and text are large enough to be easily seen at the back of the room. • Avoid elaborate animations and slide transitions. Most often, they are merely distracting. • When you use a figure (graph, table, photograph, etc.) from another source, credit that source. This is most easily done in a small text legend below or next to the object you borrowed. Acrobat Reader and other PDF readers have tools to copy portions of documents to the clipboard, so you can paste tables and figures into your slides. To copy images from websites (using a PC), place the cursor over the image, right-click, and select Copy Image or Save Image As. • Feel free to use notes on paper or index cards if you wish. We are more concerned with content than style. Practice your talk, and then practice it again. • Make a conscious effort to avoid interjections such as uh, um, er when you speak. • Do not stand in front of the screen unless you are physically pointing to something, and even then, do so only briefly. No one wants to read the slides off your stomach, and you will likely be squinting in the bright light.
Slide 1 – Title
- High Altitude Adaptation
- Classic + Recent Study
- Your name
Slide 2 – Overview
- High altitude problem
- Classic study
- Recent study
- Comparison
Slide 3 – The Problem
- Low oxygen at altitude
- Why it matters
Slide 4 – Classic Paper: Purpose
- What Houston & Riley studied
- Main question
Slide 5 – Classic Paper: Methods
- Altitude chamber
- Controlled conditions
Slide 6 – Classic Paper: Key Results
- Increased ventilation
- Blood changes
- Oxygen transport
Slide 7 – Classic Paper: Key Concept
- Integrated adaptation system
Slide 8 – Recent Article: Purpose
- What the newer study investigates
- How it builds on the original
Slide 9 – Recent Article: Methods
- Type of study (athletes, natives, etc.)
- What was measured
Slide 10 – Recent Article: Results
- Key findings
- New insights
Slide 11 – Comparison
- Similarities:
- (e.g., oxygen adaptation mechanisms)
- Differences:
- (e.g., modern techniques, new conclusions)
Slide 12 – Real Life Example: La Paz (Bolivia)
- Extreme altitude
- Poor performance for visitors
Slide 13 – Real Life Example: Denver
- Moderate altitude
- Smaller but real effect
Slide 14 – Significance
- Why both studies matter
- Applications
Slide 15 – Follow-Up Experiments
- What could be tested next
- What’s still unknown
❓ Q&A SECTION
Slide 16 – Question 1
- Question:
Slide 17 – Answer 1
- Answer:
Slide 18 – Question 2
- Question:
Slide 19 – Answer 2
- Answer: