The Performance of Knowledge

Pointing and Knowledge in Powerpoint Presentations

Bibliographic Data

ID2412100
AuthorsH Knoblauch (0000-0002-9461-3160, Technische Universität Berlin, corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume2
Issue1
Pages75-97
Publication date2008-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCultural Sociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1749-9755 • E-ISSN: 1749-9763
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1749975507086275
OpenAlexW2034730584
LanguageEN
Citations received36
References cited20

Powerpoint and similar technologies have contributed to a profound transformation of lecturing and presenting information. In focusing on pointing in powerpoint presentations, the article addresses aspects of this transformation of speech into `presentations'. As opposed to popular attacks against powerpoint, the analysis of a large number of audio-visually recorded presentations (mainly in German) demonstrates the creativity of these `performances', based on the interplay of slides (and other aspects of this technology), speech, pointing and body formations. Pointing seems to be a particular feature of this kind of presentation, allowing knowledge to be located in space. Considering powerpoint as one of the typical technologies of so-called `knowledge societies', this aspect provides some indication as to the social understanding of knowledge. Instead of `representing' reality, knowledge is defined by the circularity of speaking and showing, thus becoming presented knowledge rather than representing knowledge

Creativity · German · Linguistics · Multimedia · Presentation (obstetrics) · Social knowledge · Sociology · Space (punctuation) · Computer Science · Digital Communication and Language · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Linguistic research and analysis · Psychology

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