4 Responses

1. Flip chart tips and techniques
   I don’t know of any web sites. From personal experience the following tips and techniques help to make the best use of flipcharts.

   Check that you have enough paper before you start the session.

   Check that you have enough pens in different colours.

   Use different colours to make reading easier – alternate two colours, for example, if you are writing a list of key points.

   Emphasise important points by underlining, or using colour, or using upper case.

   When collating feedback consider asking for a participant to write up the points while you concentrate on leading the discussion and feedback.

   Write large enough and in clear letters – decide what looks better from a distance, longhand or capitals.

   Consider preparing your flip charts in advance by writing feintly in pencil especially for complex material, or if your writing tends to wander.

   Prepare flip charts in advance by printing text using a word processor and sticking the text to the chart – makes a change from the glare of the OHP.

   Have some adhesive available for sticking sheets up for viewing.

   Number the flip charts as you go along if you want to refer back to them later.

   Leave one blank sheet between prepared sheets -this allows you to turn a prepared sheet over but not reveal the next one.

   Don’t bin them at the end of the session if the material would be useful for the participants to re-visit.

   Can anyone else add to this list?

2. FLIPCHARTS
   2 ideas:

   1) try self copying whiteboards
   2) trick I often use to be able to stand at flip and write up strucured lists etc is to write them in pencil in small writing on the top left (for right handers)- no-one can see from more than 2 feet away and you can look clever in remembering all you want to get across whilst facilitating comments

3. Another idea…
   Sue

   I used to print images (like a map, etc.) onto an overhead transparency using a photocopier, and then project (with an OHP) the transparency directly onto the flip chart sheet, pencilling around the image using a feint pencil line. As Iain says, from more than two feet away you couldn’t see the image.

   During one session I used to use this method to draw a map of the UK and where the company’s major locations were; people were always staggered that I could ‘draw’ a map so accurately! It’s a nice touch sometimes to pre-arrange with a delegate to ‘draw’ the map for you.

4. Thank you!
   Thank you very much for all your help – much appreciated!