"Using an iPad When You Speak" by Robert Turner

 Robert Turner is the College Ministry Leader for the Pennsylvania/South Jersey Baptist Resource Network  He responded to my blog, "Being a Better College Ministry Speaker....the Game Changer".  Here are some of his practical thoughts on using an iPad when you speak.

"When I had to start using reading glasses, I hated it when I was speaking because I had to keep putting them on and off.  The solution was using my iPad rather than paper, because I could both instantly make the font larger to read without my classes.  And, as it was lit, I could read it better.  Problem solved.  I bought one of the iPad frames with a strap on the back, so I can hold it without having to grab it.  It will not slip off my hand.  This allows me to move about the platform with my iPad and refer to it as needed.  This works with students because seeing a speaker with an iPad doesn't look awkward.  But, when I preach, I just leave the iPad on the pulpit like I would with any preaching notes.

When I use my iPad this way, it is pretty much an extension of my arm and the back almost always faces out and not the screen, I think at some point the students don't even notice it.   I still almost always have a lectern and sometimes I'll remove the iPad and leave it there.  If I'm telling a story and move about, then I will pick it back up later.  I do not necessarily have it with me the entire time.  The point is for your use to be natural and seamless.

And another important point to make, and it may seem obvious, is to ALWAYS be sure your iPad is fully charged and that you've set the screen to always be on and not go to sleep after five minutes or so.  You do not want to have to be continually logging back into your device while in front of everyone.  And, one person said, when publicly speaking from a device to always print it out as a backup in case of a tech issue."

Thanks to Robert.  If you know me, I am always about the practical in how we do what we do much better.  I will be interested to hear any other thoughts on being a better speaker to college students....and to any other crowd.

By the way, when I was growing up I noticed in my church that when we were going to have a guest speaker sometimes they would say he will be preaching.  Other times, they would say he will be speaking.  I asked my dad what the difference was in preaching and speaking.  My dad scratched his head and said, "I think when you speak, you have to have something to say."

Arliss Dickerson's book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is available at amazon.com