Shadow Pointing in Demos – Don’t

In face-to-face demos, I urge presenters to go directly to the screen (when using a projector and screen) and point specifically at the elements of interest, using fingers or a stick or telescoping pointer. 

Occasionally I see presenters stand a short distance from the screen and point, but using their fingers or pointer to generate a shadow in the beam of the projector.  Don’t do this!  It is unclear to the audience whether to follow the presenter’s fingers (or pointer) vs. the resulting shadow – very confusing!