Why use the Assertion-Evidence approach for PPTX presentations? Available in Achieve for Nutrition!

[jamiepopeauthor]

Link to 5 minute podcast about the Assertion Evidence approach for educational PPTX or read on..... 

Several years ago, I attended a workshop offered by our Center for Teaching here at Vanderbilt on approaches for educational Power Point presentations for use in higher ed.  I was most intrigued and impressed by examples and the pedagogy behind the “Assertion-Evidence” approach to creating slide presentations and adapted all my PPTX presentations to this approach.  They are available as an instructor resource in Achieve! 

Rather than a topic heading on a slide, this format uses an assertion statement to make a point – and builds a presentation around messages rather than topics. The assertion is a statement or short sentence as the slide heading that expresses the primary focus or take away from that slide.  Even a quick glance at the slide provides the central concept or message being communicated.   For example, rather than a topic heading that says, “Blood Glucose Regulation”, the assertion would be “Blood glucose levels are maintained through the actions of pancreatic hormones”.  Or rather than a topic of “Carbohydrate Classification” the assertion would be “Carbohydrates are classified as simple or complex”.   The assertion communicates a message about a topic that is then supported by additional information or evidence of the assertion.  The “evidence” that follows would be bullet points, a visual image, or infographic that supports the assertion.  

Regarding the assertion “carbohydrates are classified as simple or complex” the evidence would be examples of simple and complex carbohydrates along with or even just an image of some of these foods from the text.  The assertion is not repeated in the body of the slide.  For my own classes and for the textbook, I adapted the “regular” (and still very good!) slides to incorporate the Assertion-Evidence approach as an alternative for instructors. Thus, as currently found in the instructor resources - and unique to our text - educators have the choice of either topic-based slides or my Assertion-Evidence.   Both can be adapted and edited to meet individual instructor’s style and learning goals.    You can also read more about this approach at www.assertion-evidence.com.