Action Learning Manual Leadership Books Interactive Powerpoint Publications Learner Driven Powerpoint - An innovative approach to Learning Introduction Ian writes - "Most people have come across Powerpoint presentations. We would probably be extremely fortunate if we had managed to avoid them! This is not a "knock Powerpoint" session, but for most people their experience has been as a passive recipient of what someone else wants to get across to them, served up in the form of linearly presented slides. The control is with the presenter and opportunities to deviate into discussion from the presenter`s determined "path" are limited! Suppose that we could turn the current situation on its head and allow the learner to determine what they wanted to access from a presentation and to choose those elements that interested them and to create their own "path" .... this is what I am proposing and in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach to learning, I have designed a CD that allows learners to become more familiar with the technique known as "Action Learning". My purpose in putting forward this "demo" CD is to show how readily organisations can change the way they present learning materials to learners to enthuse and encourage those who previously have baulked at linear presentations. My purpose is also to encourage "curiosity" which is one of the most powerful stimulants for effective learning. My vision for this approach is that material can be designed and supplied to be accessed either through an organisation`s "Intranet" or for individuals to be given a CD that can be used either at their workplace or at home where Intranet access is difficult". What types of material could be presented in this way? "I would be inclined to turn the question around and to ask if there are any types of material that couldn`t be presented in this way! I drew up a list of areas that could be helpful within organisations: Leadership / Motivation Organisational change One-to-one interactions Teams & Team Development Research methods Problem solving and creativity Meetings and other ways to meet Learning and personal development Obviously you could sub-divide these categories and for example do a CD on "Appreciative Inquiry" as a particular research method. As a demonstration of the versatility of this approach, imagine putting information about first aid in this format". What do I do if someone has had an electric shock? What do I do if someone is bleeding a lot? What do I do if someone has inhaled smoke from a fire? What do I do if someone is choking? First Aid at your fingertips What do I do if someone has fallen awkwardly? How do I check for a pulse? How do I get help fast? What do I do if someone is unconscious? "Imagine that the table above is the first slide in the presentation and clicking on a particular box will take you immediately to another slide with succinct diagrammatic instructions together with links to other slides for more details if needed. Obviously this type of application would be better downloaded onto individual computers and an icon placed on each "desktop". Imagine having each of the 10 topics as icons on every manager`s computer so that they could have instant access to explore any of the topics at one of 3 different levels: Overview How to - including practical tips and things to watch out for! Background to better understand the particular approach One other advantage of this approach is that each presentation can be translated into other languages speedily and relatively cheaply, thus enabling individuals to gain understanding in their native language before moving to the "English Version"". Conclusions "Obviously, this is an approach that can be utilised by any individual and/or organisation. What I offer is a wealth of readily available material to include and augment any that is organisationally available. Also I have the advantage of discretionary time available to quickly produce material for different organisational needs with my background of 30 years organisational consultancy together with my higher educational experience".