Abstract
Educational presentations are a specific subcategory and research topic in communication field. Most of the educational materials are organized in slide sequences simulating the visual support used in public speaking events. But this kind of communication has two different goals and context of use. Educational slides are a visual support during class lessons and explanations: teachers use them to catch and maintain the students’ attention and to focus on main ideas and concepts discussed. On the other hand slides downloaded, printed or shared on web 2.0 platforms are also a different and remote support that students or self-teaching people can use to improve their knowledge and cultural skills. Conceptual maps – developed in the ‘70 as an educational cognitive support by Novak & Gowin based on the notion of “meaningful learning” – introduced by Ausubel, offers a visual organization of notions and their conceptual connections in an effective and diachronic manner. The paper explores examples, tools and best practices of the introduction of conceptual maps in visual design presentation in education and cultural disseminations.