Taispeaking

Taispeaking is a term used in media literacy, education, and science communication to describe a multimodal approach to conveying information. In a taispeaking presentation, spoken explanation is closely synchronized with visual displays such as slides, diagrams, live demonstrations, or other props, with the aim of enhancing comprehension and retention by engaging multiple channels at once.

Origins and terminology: The term emerged in the early 2020s among educators and communication researchers to capture this integrated form of explanation. It is generally treated as a portmanteau of display and speaking; while some practitioners trace echoes to public-speaking traditions, there is no single authoritative definition, and usage varies across disciplines.

Core features and techniques: Taispeaking emphasizes explicit linkage between narrative and visuals, careful pacing, signposting, and rehearsal. Accessibility is often central, using captions, transcripts, and adjustable visuals. It favors demonstrations and annotated graphics over dense text, and practitioners tailor content to the audience's prior knowledge.

Contexts and evaluation: Taispeaking is common in classrooms, online tutorials, science communication, and corporate trainings. Proponents argue it supports cognitive integration and inclusive learning; critics caution that designing effective taispeaking requires effort and specialized skill, and that it can overwhelm some audiences if visuals are cluttered or mismatched.

See also: explainervideo, multimedia learning, public speaking.