Thank you for your willingness to present virtually at the Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education. We could not do this without you! And don’t worry – we’re here to help you in any way we can. This toolkit includes information on how to record your session, tips and tricks to ensure it’s the best presentation and answers some common questions or concerns. If you still have questions or would like to chat with an AASHE staff person, sign up to attend one of our Presenter Q&A sessions or send an email to conference@aashe.org. 

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  • Timing

    • On-Demand Lighting Talks and Educational Sessions can utilize their full time (15 minutes for Lightning Talks and 40 minutes for Educational Sessions).
    • Simulive Educational Sessions will need to leave time for their interactive elements, such as live video Q&A, breakout rooms or polls. Simulive Educational Sessions are 40 minutes long, so be sure to subtract time for your engagement elements from your total recording time.
    • Networking and Discussion Groups are 60 minutes long.
    • Unless otherwise noted, live sessions are 40 minutes long and will need to end on time to allow the next session to begin on time.

  • Slides

    • Slides should be 16:9.
    • Download the #GCSHE Title Slide and enter your title in the space provided. Be sure this is the first slide in your deck.
    • As you draft your slides, if you are the only presenter on your presentation, be aware that a small window featuring your webcam video will be overlaid on the top right of your slide. Avoid putting key information in the top right-hand corner of your slides.
    • Create a speaker introduction slide to introduce all the speakers on the presentation.
    • Describe and read everything on your slide. This will help people who are blind or have limited vision understand what is on the slide.
    • Minimize the amount of text on slides.
    • Using PowerPoint or Google Slides, you can turn on live transcriptions to create captioning of your spoken word. Live transcriptions of your words help accommodate individuals in the audience who may be deaf or hard of hearing.

  • Recording

    • If recording with other presenters:
      • Combine your slide decks.
      • Confirm who will be screen sharing and advancing slides.
      • Write up a short timeline of who will be speaking when to avoid presenters speaking over one another.
    • Think of ways to make your presentation more engaging:
      • Include videos of your institution to illustrate points in your presentation.
      • Interview students, faculty or staff on campus.
      • Ask questions of the audience so they can respond in chat during the recording.
        • Simulive Education Sessions can respond in chat during the recording or can carry those questions forward to a live video Q&A at the end of the session.
        • On-Demand Educational Sessions won’t be able to address these questions in the recording, but presenters are able to respond in the chat throughout the conference to their comments.

  • Presenting

    • Think of ways to make your presentation more engaging:
      • Include videos of your institution to illustrate points in your presentation.
      • Interview students, faculty or staff on campus.
      • Ask questions of the audience so they can respond in chat during the recording.
        • Simulive Education Sessions can respond in chat during the recording or can carry those questions forward to a live video Q&A at the end of the session.
        • On-Demand Educational Sessions won’t be able to address these questions in the recording, but presenters are able to respond in the chat throughout the conference to their comments.
    • Be mindful of your language:
          • Practice using gender-inclusive language (e.g., instead of terms like “ladies and gentlemen” or “hi guys”, consider “folks”, “everyone”). Learn more.
          • Avoid generalizations and stereotypes. 
          • Avoid using jargon, idioms, and acronyms, and if you do, explain what they mean in plain language. Keep in mind that your presentation may be watched by people from all around the world and avoid expressions that may not be understood by all members of the audience.
          • Offer verbal or written notice (in your session description) before sharing potentially sensitive content – these allow participants to prepare themselves to engage or disengage for their own wellbeing.

What’s Next?

Preparing to Present Live
Preparing to Record