Flannel Graph As A Method Of Presentation

The word flannel means a kind of soft woven fabric, typically made of cotton or wool and slightly milled and raised (looks very similar to fuzzy felt). And, Graph means a visual symbol showing a diagram that shows the relation between variable quantities. Therefore, Flannelgraph is a storytelling system that uses a board covered with flannel fabric. The pictures, photographs, drawings or letters will contain a strip of sandpaper or an adhesive material on the backside that is used for sticking to the flannel board. This device is called a flannel graph also known as Khaddergraph.

Guidelines for making a presentation

Identify the audience

Identifying the audience is the first step towards the presentation of a flannel graph. You should have a clear idea about the kind of audience and the age group of the audience so that the apt and the right flannel graph presentation can be done to the group to ensure success.

Size of the audience and flannel Graph

Size of the audience plays a vital role in the presentation of Flannelgraph. Your flannel graph should be appropriate to the size of the audience so that people from a distance should be able to view the flannel graph effectively. So, before the presentation is made it is important to have a clear idea about the audience level. After knowing the size of the audience next step is to decide the size of the flannel graph. The size of the flannel graph to use usually depends upon the size of the audience. The approximate size of the ply board, wooden board or cardboard used for making flannel graph can be 90 x 90 cams. This can be used to tell a story to about 150 people if the parts are sufficiently bold.

Prepare your Layout

You should decide what you exactly want to tell your audience. The story should be developed in a logical, step-by-step sequence. It should be kept as simple as possible, at the same time emphasis must be given to the important points by avoiding unimportant sequences. If possible store the parts of the presentation in folders arranged and numbered for step by step presentation. The flannel graph has its action and suspense. In some ways, it is like a drama. It has a story to plot.

Use Pictures /photographs

Your flannel graph should consist of colorful pictures /photographs to get the attention of the audience. Avoid too much cluttering of pictures that may make the audience get confused or may get deviated from the topic. Use pictures that are relevant to the topic and must be arranged in a particular style that it conveys the message in the right way.

Prepare yourself before the final presentation

It is necessary to prepare well before the final presentation is made. It will definitely help you to decide when to present the flannel graph in front of the audience to illustrate a point. Avoid standing in front of the audience as it blocks the view and may irritate the audience.

Advantages

1. Make teaching and learning interesting and dynamic.
2. Draws the attention of the public very quickly.
3. Messages can be understood by the illiterate or semi-literate public.
4. Not much expensive
5. No electricity is required for Flannel graph presentation, so it can be used in areas where other visual aids are not employed.

Disadvantages

1. Requires a lot of time, energy for the planning and preparation.
2. A limited number of cutouts can interrupt the message.