Richard Spada teaches a Presentation Skills for Delivering Training course at the UC Berkeley Extension.
In the course, Spada, who has advised human resources teams during his career, advises presenters to begin presentations with a needs analysis. A needs analysis is achieved by talking to the audience before the presentation on what the audience hopes to walk away with versus teaching them on what the presenter wants.
Spada advises to create a safe place with presenting. People will not fear failure and be allowed to say they do not understand. Make the learner involved by greeting them when they enter the room, creating ice breakers for them to get to know each other, and using group exercises for them to apply lectures and readings.
Spada suggests not to pick on anyone to volunteer information. Instead the presenter should open his/her arms and ask if anyone wants to volunteer. Wait 8 seconds to allow people to gather their thoughts. The silence in the room makes people uncomfortable. Someone will eventually speak up. If no one answers, the presenter may answer the question him/herself or rephrase the question.
When someone asks a hostile question, redirect the question back to the person such that he/she answers his/her own question with his/her own opinion. Separate what is being presented, the facts, from emotions. There are pros and cons to every situation. Acknowledge the class contributions even when they may be wrong.
Put irrelevant conversations in a parking lot by capturing them in a chart. This will allow people to see the irrelevance, and allow the presenter to move back to the subject.
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