Slow learners and technology

 

I'll bet that you've attended a meeting, presentation, or training within the last month that used text-only (or text heavy) slides that the person at the front of the room read aloud to you. Bad slideshow use is still the rule rather than the exception, despite PowerPoint having been available for over 30 years. Yet a recent Seth Godin post, Words on Slides, shares tips on, guess what, good PowerPoint use. 

Despite much being written about good use and design of slideshows (including my own Slideshow Safety, March 1999 and Is PowerPoint Evil?, Sept 2005), there ain't much zen in presentations except by those given by professional speakers.

What is it in human nature that makes us such slow learners when it comes to technology? Is it because we emulate our own teachers who may demonstrate poor slide construction? Is it laziness or lack of time in learning good graphic design? Or are we at heart, creatures who prefer to communicate in words and text rather than images and design - despite the research telling us how much more powerful visuals can be in messaging?

Our ability to learn best practices quickly extends to other areas of technology use, of course. Too many of us still text and drive, share personal data carelessly online, use computers to babysit, and rely on software to try to teach children to read and do math. 

As an educator at heart, I believe all people can learn given enough time and instruction. As a technology person, I just want to know why it's taking so damn long!