Speaker Resources - Concurrent Session

Presentation Information:
• Concurrent Sessions
• Poster Presentations
• Round Table Sessions

Concurrent Session photo 1The number one thing to keep in mind is that this is a VERY friendly conference.  Nobody will chastise you in front of your session participants for missing a critical reference to an obscure piece of work published years ago.  If anything, audience participants will help you out if a single participant in your session starts to get a bit “persistent.”  That said, this group has LITTLE tolerance for people who make things up on the spot. Be honest with the group and have fun with your session. 

All concurrent session rooms are set up in theatre style seating.  Although classroom seating (chairs and tables) would make taking notes easier, having tables reduces the number of seats in the room by ½ or more.  It is difficult to know how many people will attend each session, so the number of seats in each room needs to be as large as possible.

Please plan your presentation to fit into the time allowed for the session.  Practice to be sure your timing is accurate.  Every session at the conference could be expanded to allow for more detail and more discussion, and every session could be shortened by eliminating some supporting material or reducing the number of major points.  There is no value in Concurrent Session photo 3lamenting to your audience that you do not have enough time to cover the material. This simply frustrates the participants.  Please know that we would have given you more time if it were possible.     

The use of PowerPoint is tolerated to the extent that it is used to convey major points and graphical material.  Please do NOT fill PowerPoint slides with text and only in VERY RARE circumstances should you ever read the slides to the participants.  Again, if you use PowerPoint for text, use it only for major headings.

Concurrent Session photo 2Please bring at least 35 copies of a handout for participants. Some sessions will draw 50 or more participants, but those sessions are quite rare. Please take leftover handouts to the registration desk.  We will have a place for individuals who missed your session to secure a handout. 

It is VERY important to include the participants into your session through some kind of dialog or activity for the sessions.  Try to include at least one activity for a 40 or 60-minute session and at least two activities for 80-minute sessions. 

PLEASE NOTE: The 20 minute sessions are relatively short and information driven. Think of this type of session as a mini-lecture.  You are NOT expected to do active learning in these sessions, but it may be included if specifically relevant. Do leave 3 to 5 minutes for questions.  The participants at the Lilly Conferences are also very good teachers and bring a lot of good ideas to the sessions.

If you have any questions regarding this format, please let us know ASAP by emailing Todd Zakrajsak (click here to email Todd).

  1. Prepare for your presentation.
    1. Session Content: What message you are trying to get across?  Be sure you are supporting your main message and that you have good examples.
    2. Handout:  This should include the major points of your session with elaboration on some of the main issues.  Please be sure to include any references or links to resources you used for information.  Bring at least 35 copies of the handout with you to the conference. If you use PowerPoint your handout may be a copy of your slides if you wish.  The point of the handout is that many people will learn a great deal at this conference in a short period of time.  Handouts are helpful for individuals to reflect on what they have learned.
    3. Audience: Your primary audience members are college and university faculty from throughout the United States.  Most have taught for a few years, but some will be relatively new faculty members. Lilly Conferences tend to be a bit relaxed and informal. Your session can also be a bit informal. If there is one thing for certain it is that this group of individuals DISLIKES to be lectured to for the full length of the session.  The participants know a great deal and although they will respect you as the authority of the issue you are presenting, they will also much appreciate the opportunity to share and participate. 
    4. Questions: Think of possible questions that might arise during the question and answer period and practice answers to those questions.
  1. Prepare your visual aids.
    1. Simple: Keep yourPowerPoint slides or overheads simple.  It is best to use these only for abbreviated outlines or visuals to demonstrate a point. It is typically best to NOT include a lot of clip art, cute animations, or sounds.
    2. Error Check: Check repeatedly for errors (particularly spelling) so they don’t detract from your presentation.
    3. Backup: If the use of a projector is critical to your presentation bring some form of backup in case the projector does not work.  This does NOT mean bringing copies of all of your PowerPoint slides or overhead transparencies of all of your slides.  Summarize your main points into a single page and include that with your hand out.  This could serve as a backup if you experience difficulities with the technology: you can use these materials as the framework for your presentation. 
  1. Practice.
    1. Take time to practice your presentation.  Be sure that you can speak slowly and clearly and still finish in the allotted time.
    2. Activities: Also practice any activity you plan to use at the conference.  Try a variation of it in a class or meeting.  The conference is not a good place to try something for the very first time. 
  1. Present effectively.
    1. Be Early: Be ready to set-up when the session before your's ends. Show up at your session room at least 10 minutes before you are scheduled to begin to allow yourself time to check the equipment and get your materials in order.
    2. Speak slowly and clearly and allow yourself and the audience time to process what you are saying.
    3. Do NOT read to the participants from your slides, unless it is a powerful quote and you can bring a special emphasis.  This includes notes and PowerPoint (especially PowerPoint).  Reading is the fastest way to a boring presentation.  Incorporate a more conversational tone as well as visual aids for an interesting presentation.
    4. Finish On Time: In order to keep sessions on schedule, it is important to end your session on time. Please leavea few moments toward the end of your session for questions and for participants to fill out the session's evaluation form. Do not plan on using the time between your session and the next presenter's session, as this time is needed by the next presenter for setting-up.
  1. Answer questions.
    1. Wear a watch: Keep and eye on the time so that you are sure to stop yourself in time to answer questions.
    2. Paraphrase all questions to ensure they were heard correctly by both yourself and other audience members.
    3. Be clear: Answer questions clearly and concisely and avoid rambling.
    4. Speak to the entire audience, not just the person who asked the question.

Do not be afraid to let the group know you don’t know the answer to a question.  It might work to ask if anyone in the group has a good answer to the question, or simply note it is a great question and you will need to look into that issue.

Technology:

Each presentation room will be equipped with an LCD (data) projector and screen. Easels, flip charts, dry erase markers and speakers are available upon request.

Technology is NOT available for Round Table Discussions or Poster Sessions.

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