Show and Tell, or When Presentations Were Fun by Jane Tolbert

Technology readiness level. Financial projections. The need, or significance, of the study. A phase II report, a white paper. . . . . Friends in academia and corporations talk about presentations they make. “Show and tell,” my sister Margaret commented, comparing those of the grownup world to those presentations we made in elementary school.

Similarities exist. Both grownup presentations and elementary school “show and tell” can be characterized by digressions, interruptions and embellishments. In Miss Ruth Cooper’s class of Anthony Seeger Campus School, second grade students exhibited traits similar to those of long-winded university professors and corporate tycoons. They interrupted: “Let me see.” Or, “I have two just like that.” Others embellished accounts: “From the beaches of Florida, I could see the waves of Hawaii.” Or, “On my tour of the White House, I got to shake hands with the president.” But overall, "show and tell" was pretty interesting and included guinea pigs, Bufferin (a neighbor’s white cat who also starred in at least one of the class theatrical productions), snacks or new toys.

One of the more unique sessions of “show and tell” was led by Margaret, who brought in a plastic bag filled with costume jewelry. Although she planned to tell about the contents of the bag, she talked more about the bag itself. This particular plastic bag had contained several pairs of men’s boxer shorts purchased by my dad, who served at the time as dean of students of the university that supervised Campus School. On other occasions, she brought in a book to share, its pages marked with my dad’s salary check, or she stood before an audience and painted a picture (shown here). When it was my turn, I searched closets and dresser drawers, and likely brought in china horse models with broken legs. And there was that one less successful attempt using a magic trick to make milk disappear so I could throw the empty container into the audience. . . .

At present, everyone cringes at the thought of yet another presentation with numerous PowerPoint slides crammed with chart junk, lengthy agendas and action items that will never be followed. The grownup world would be wise to capture the spirit of those earlier “show and tell” sessions. Although many of today’s presentations would involve sharing a gadget—an iPhone, a digital photo frame or MacBook Air--Margaret said she would still bring her bicycle and her greyhound Fay. As for me, I will have to see what I can find.