Common Visual Aids

Flip Charts/Posters

ADVANTAGES: - easy and inexpensive to make and update - portable and transportable - left in view of the audience - good for interaction with the audience DISADVANTAGES: - unsuitable for large groups - anxiety-provoking for facilitator with poor handwriting or poor spelling

Slides

ADVANTAGES: - professional in appearance - good for large groups DISADVANTAGES: - formal and impersonal - shown in the dark - not good for discussion and interaction - more difficult to update than other visual aids - require special equipment

Videos

ADVANTAGES: - professional in appearance - good for large or small groups DISADVANTAGES: - more expansive than other visual aids - requires special equipment - not good for discussion and interaction - require accurate cueing

Overhead Transparencies

ADVANTAGES: - good for large gropus - easy to create - easy to transport - provide an informal atmosphere - open to interaction with groups - easy to update DISADVANTAGES: - impermanent; they yellow with age - require less common equipment

Computer Projections (e.g., PowerPoint™)

ADVANTAGES: - professional in appearance - evidence of preparation - good for large or small group - easy to integrate with classroom discussion - animated - up-to-date technology - easy to update DISADVANTAGES: - require special equipment/facilities - require initial training to create - require significant time to create - require basic graphics/composition skills

Samples, Examples, and Mock-Ups

ADVANTAGES: - real-world/authentic - three dimensional - sometimes inexpensive and readily available - experience may be tactile/auditory as well as visual DISADANTAGES: - sometimes difficult or impossible to acquire - often difficult to handle or distribute - require storage space - usually out of natural environment