We managed to get all of your final presentations done today, and what an adventure! This class, by far, was the most adventurous I've seen as an instructor. I was also impressed by how complex some of your Prezis were and how you rolled with the inevitable issues that come from group projects. You've all come a long way since walking into class at the beginning of the semester.
For your final, I want you to answer these questions in the form of a final reflection paper. If you'd like to be creative and give your response via video or Prezi, feel free. Please be specific in your answers. I love details:
What techniques did you use to prepare for a public speech when you first came to this class?
How did your experiences in this class change or re-enforced the way you prepare for a public speech?
What did you learn about communication in your final group project?
How did your past experiences in this class help you prepare for the final presentation?
What did you like best about the class? What should I change for next semester?
Anything else you'd like to say?
Email your reflection to me by or before Tuesday, May 1. Remember, there is no final exam
in this class, so don't bother coming to class. Just email this
refection to me.
It was a pleasure getting to know you all. Visit me in the Noel Studio!
Each group gave a quick version of their final presentations today, and I'm excited about your progress. Overall, I think you are ready to present. My only concerns, generally, are how you will capture your audience's attention at the beginning of your speeches and how you will transition between speakers.
We will all need to present on Thursday, so it's important that you stay in the 8 to 10 minute frame. The closer to 8, the better.
I hope you will take some time before Thursday to practice as a group. Hopefully, you used some of your class time today to practice.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. But most importantly, DON'T BE ABSENT! You can't make up this final, group speech.
After your speeches, check the blog for some reflection questions. I'll post them after your speeches. Email me your answer to these questions by noon on Tuesday, May 1.
Now that you have your speech planned and your visuals in good working shape, it's time to run through your speech in the class.
For Tuesday's class, I'd like each tribe to meet with me in our classroom--one tribe at a time. When you come in to the class, I'll want you to practice your actual presentation in front of me. No other classmate will be in attendance. Don't be absent on Tuesday or on Thursday, the day of our final speeches. You won't be able to make this grade up if you miss the class.
For tomorrow's class, I'd like you all to bring the visuals you are going to use in your presentation. By the end of the class period, I'd like each tribe to finish a Prezi, PowerPoint, video ... or whatever you plan on using in your speech.
On Thursday, I will talk with each tribe individually. I will expect each tribe to be able to walk me through, step-by-step, the speech you are planning to present to the class. I will be looking for a clear attention getter, engaging visuals, a well-planned presentation, and a conclusion that is clear. The speech should be designed to entertain and delight your audience.
If you have any questions, email me or post them on our Facebook group.
After our class on Thursday, you should have a good idea of how your next speech will be organized. Remember, be creative and have fun. When you share your experience with the class, entertain and inspire us.
On Tuesday I'll be collecting your reflection papers on your Persuasive Speech. Watch your speeches and then answer these questions:
What did you learn from your prior speeches in this class that you applied to your persuasive speech?
What did you like about your persuasive speech?
What would you like to do better?
What steps can you take to improve your next speech?
What about the persuasive speech assignment did you find helpful? What about the assignment should be changed?
Any other comments?
Be specific. Show me you watched your videos.
I also want you to watch this TedTalk for Thursday. Chip has a very unique public speaking style that takes some getting used to, but I want you to focus on how he visualizes the best-selling books he designs. I think his ideas may be of interest as you figure out ways to visually share your experiences with the class.
I haven't laughed that hard in class in a long time. Thanks for sharing your favorite flashmob and improvisation videos with the class. I hope we all were inspired to think creativity and come up with fun, compelling ways to share our story and capture the attention of our audience.
During our next class, I want you to finalize a general outline for your group presentation. This should serve as a road map of sorts to help guide you as your prepare your actual, physical project/adventure. Remember, think about ways to digitally capture your story. Videos, pictures, and audio recording are something to consider. Don't rely on stock photos and YouTube videos. I'm not interested in anything you did not create as a group.
For Tuesday, I want you to watch this TedTalk. Give it a few minutes; Pranav is really doing some amazing things, and I like how he uses videos to demo his inventions.
Excellent job everyone! I was really impressed with how you all were able to overcome the challenges of our persuasive speeches, and many of you really seemed to find your voices. Giving a 3-4 minute pitch with a stopwatch projected on the wall and nothing but a doc-cam for a visual is a tough environment. Now you've had experience with several different situations. You've presented in a conference-like setting (with colleagues sitting behind you and wall-to-wall projections of your Prezi); you've presented in a traditional, podium setting (with your visual presentation aid projected behind you), and now you've experienced the timed speech.
The goal of your last speech in this class will be to inform and entertain your audience. Your entire tribe will have 10 minutes to present on your experience accomplishing a task, and everyone in your tribe must have time to present to the class. Be sure to take videos and pictures of your adventure to share with us. You can use whatever software you think will be most suitable to share your story. We can talk about this more in class.
I formed new tribes based on your feedback to the speeches. I tried to place everyone in a tribe that they found interesting, and I'm sorry if I couldn't place you in your top choice.
If your topic was selected, it's very important that you attend class on Tuesday, when we next meet. If something comes up, please Facebook your tribe on our Facebook group and figure out a time you all can talk.
On Tuesday, we will be discussing our final presentation and brainstorming ideas for how to share our experiences with the class. Some of you have more preparation needed than others, and I will be able to assist you and answer your questions.
Remember, the goal of your final presentation is to inform and entertain. It's okay if things don't work out as planned; have fun, be creative, and figure out a way to share your story in a way that will engage the class.
Your homework for this weekend is to read Epilogue A (392-398) in our Textbook. I also want you to watch this TedTalk:
