Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Prezi Meeting and Tribe Presentations

I really enjoyed our discussion on overcoming speech anxiety today in class. As we continue working on our tribe presentations, I hope you feel more comfortable with your first speech assignment in this class. Your metaphors are looking good and it seems like most of you have a good grip on Prezi Meeting.

For Thursday, I want you to read Chapter 2 in the textbook. Focus on the section we discussed in class and see how it applies to the video below.



Here's a link to the video just in case: http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_ariely_beware_conflicts_of_interest.html

Hope you enjoy your Wednesday.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Prezi Fun and Tribe Metaphors

Learning about Prezi was a time to play and explore. We don't get many times in our adult lives to create things for fun, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

For our next class we'll be working with Prezi meeting on a group presentation. I want you to think about possible visual metaphors for your tribe and be ready to talk about them on Tuesday. You can base your tribe on a TV show, movie, song, ecosystem, whatever you find funny, interesting, or compelling. Your tribe will vote on which metaphor to use. I'll break a tie if necessary.

I also want you to read Chapter 1 in your textbook (Public Speaking: An Audience Centered Approach). If you were in class, you know the section I want you to focus on. As you read consider how it applies to the video below.



If you are having trouble understanding William's accent, click on the "languages" button and choose a language you feel comfortable reading. If the video isn't showing up, follow this link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind.html

Have a wonderful weekend.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Ted Talk and Syllabus -- our first assignment

I really enjoyed our first day of class. What a great classroom! For Thursday I'd like you to watch this Ted Talk below. It's about Lewis Pugh's swim across a lake on Mt. Everest. I'd like you to consider how he approaches a difficult situation as well as what you found effective, and perhaps not so effective, in his presentation. Be prepared to talk/write about it in class.

Also, remember to look over the syllabus.



If the video doesn't work, follow this link.

Hope you have a great Wednesday.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Some helpful links for class this semester

Welcome to Public Speaking!

Here is our class syllabus.

Read the Syllabus
by: apostels



You will also need to register for a free Prezi account as we will be using this for our first assignment. Another tool we will be using is xtranormal. Register for a free account when you get a few minutes.

Our textbook (Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach 8th ed by Beebe and Beebe) is available at the bookstore, or you can purchase the online edition. The textbook in the bookstore comes with a password for the online edition. Just make sure you have the 8th edition. It's very different from the 7th. I'm serious. Really. Trust me.

We will also be watching quite a few Ted Talks. Feel free to watch some on your own. If you recommend one, and I assign it, I'll give you extra credit.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

"9 other things": ideas for those with creativity block (and inspiration for everyone else)

Great advice from Austin Kleon for those seeking creative inspiration. One thing I wonder about is his suggestion that "side projects and hobbies are important." It works only if your hobby doesn't involve passive consumption. Don't you think? For example, I wonder how much of the world we explore when we watch sports on TV. Am I off base here (to use a sport's metaphor)?