Flipchart preparation and use
What are flipcharts?
A flipchart is a sequence of large, simple pictures to provide visual support for your talk
Design and preparation
Look at the main training messages you wrote when you planned this particular participants' session. Assemble any relevant pre-prepared flipcharts from your collection of training aids and put them in the correct story sequence. Are there any gaps? If you need to create any additional flipcharts:
- Make a preliminary sketch on a small piece of paper (say A5 -21 cm x 15 cm) - with one or two pictures for each message
- Use only one or two essential words on each flipchart
- Try to standardise your use of images, eg for rain you could draw a cloud with raindrops falling from it
- Keep the pictures simple - do not add too much detail
When you have decided on the final design:
- Use A3 paper (42cm x 30cm)
- Leave a blank border of 2 cm around the edge of the paper
- Leave a top margin of 5 cm so that the flipcharts can be bound together
- Use a spirit-based thick felt-tip marker pen
- Write words 2-3 cm high clearly and level
- Be careful that the ink does not stain through the top sheet onto the one below
How to use a flipchart
If you have the use of a table, prop up the flipchart on this using a wooden or stiff cardboard backing. If you don't have a table, hang up the set of charts with string (eg on a tree) so you can flip them over.
Make sure that:
- Eeveryone can see the flipchart
- You speak to your audience, not to the flipchart
- You do not stand next to your flipchart all the time, but move around to interact with your audience
- You vary your presentation by using the flipcharts in different ways:
- Conceal parts of the picture with blank paper. Then remove them during your talk to complete the picture
- Get participants to come forward and pin parts of the picture onto the flipchart
- Use prepared transparent overlays to change pictures
- Use blank transparent overlays for adding to a picture during your talk
- Use a blank transparent overlay to write on participants' responses
When to use flipcharts
- At any time during a presentation
- When you do not have access to more sophisticated aids such as filmstrips or slides
- Make sure you have adequate lighting conditions
- Be prepared to move quickly under cover if it is windy or wet
- The size of audience is limited by the number who can see the flipchart clearly from where they are sitting
Why use flipcharts
- To provide a logical sequence of material which will guide your talk
- To focus participants' attention on the topic
- To reinforce your talk with visual material
Remember the sayings:
‘A picture is worth a thousand words’
‘I hear, I forget; I see, I understand’
Source: Adapted from the International Course on Training of Trainers in Labour-Based Road Construction and Maintenance, compiled by David J Mason