Course Reflection on First Semester PowerPoints
Why I Loved The First Week In My Speech and Communications Course
Dear
Diary…no I’m just joking around.
To
whomever will read this, I would like to express my gratitude for a specific
course I am taking as it has taught me a great deal on future accomplishments
and how I will handle them. To go into specifics, my Speech and Communications
course began with a summarization of our class book via a Powerpoint we had to
create. I expected a presentation to be an obvious requirement. It’s a speech
class, one is going to have to learn to speak to an audience in a speech and
communications class. The good thing about this class is that after completing
it, a good majority of students will have gathered a nice chunk of information
for the obligatory speeches they must make throughout it. It is nice practice
and important for those who wish to speak their mind.
Say there’s a sales project you must present to buyers in a few weeks, and your company team is counting on you for a solid deliverance. A good knowledge of what triggers audience attention and understanding, with do you good in that moment. Wouldn’t it? We are all here to learn, thus the presentations. Detailed summaries on the first few chapters of our class book, will require participation. Unlike some classrooms, I appreciate the consideration for lazy students. I’m familiar with lazy students as I probably am the most lethargic student I know. Deadlines, attendance, projects, interaction, and other forms of class participation motivate those slacker students (like me) to put their batteries on and learn.
For
this recent Presentation, we were assigned a chapter in which we would study. Later
we would assign a section to each member of our given group and summarize key
points within those assigned sections. Finally, we then had to present our
portion of the chapter to the class, no matter your public speaking anxiety, or
fear of forgetfulness and failure. It had to be done, and I loved it.
Studies
have shown that the usage of technology itself is already a motivational tool
in the education system. It was proposed that the usage of form rather than the
form itself is what needed to be modified. In this case, Microsoft PowerPoint
presentations was more effective at grabbing students’ attention and encourage
participation, than a textbook or lecture.
The Results showed through the students test scores from the beginning of the experiment towards the end. The initial test had students average out around the same score, but as testing progressed the students exposed to PowerPoint presentations and other platforms, exceeded the attitudes of the students learning in the traditional manner. Below is a Table of results from the study.
Personally,
I would like to think that presentations have always been my strong suit, or
forte when needing to complete a project. Having been able to start off this semester’s
first project with a visual speech, motivates me for future endeavors. Referencing
back to the experiments, not only does the use of technology assist professors
in enticing their students, but it also allows for their personal collaboration
and effort to be creative. Speaking about a matter, while allowing creative attempts
to be in place, allows for the instructors increased participation.
When
assigned my Chapter section, I had to read my paragraphs continuously. To the
point in which I was as familiar with it, as I am to the back of my hand. That
is because, when rewriting my analysis of the chapter’s information, I had to
go back and forth, rechecking my wording and my accuracy on the topic. I noticed
that my efforts were being met through the collaboration of my teammates. All of
which did a wonderful job at delivering the information.
My
team consisted of a wonderfully cooperative group of students, led by an incredibly
helpful and assisting leader. We were appointed Chapter three in our textbook
to present. It covers, Intercultural Communications, and its significance when
meeting different cultures around the world. Our punctuational presentation
skills I feel were lacking due to jitters and audience anxiety. Other than
these tiny flaws, we were rewarded perfect compliments by our professor that
ensured our preeminence on the topic. We had exceeded our own expectations and
virtually patted ourselves on the back right after in congratulations.
Being
the first group of students to present, I had to take notes throughout the entirety
of the remaining chapters other students had to present. I took note of some presenting skills
to personally learn from, how people covered their topics, why they used
specific images to further explain their knowledge of the information, and their
actual knowledge of the information. It was all something to take mention of especially
when you’re expected to deliver just as well.
The
following group, Group 2 consisting of eleven students, presented Chapter nine ‘Communication
In Groups’. What I spotted throughout the presentation was the use of word preparation
before the presentation, including images and short displayed descriptions along
with information outside the presentations, all to secure their point in that
one slide. I personally do this to not overcrowd my slides with the information
I will be lecturing on anyway. Something else I noticed is the manner in which
some students spoke, which tempted listeners to want to continue engaging in
their topic. Their information seemed to be accurate, and it allowed students to
learn about what they wished to convey. Their PowerPoint presentation was set
with information on teamwork, virtual groups, how to be a healthy and non-toxic
group, accountability or conflict in groups, and the development of the said
group. Overall, their presentation was spectacularly
carried, and was paid multiple compliments by the professor.
The
group encompassing the following chapter, Chapter 10, laid out a reliable presentation.
Their chapter was titled ‘Group Leadership and Problem Solving’ They covered the
roles of a leader within a group, the tasks the leaders must assign, maintaining
the productivity within a group, the types of group leaders and what their
categorized under, and tips on how to be an excelling leader. The group’s presentation was straight to the
point and well-spoken, leaving the viewers to understand their points and
follow along. They lastly went over the group problems and solutions within the
chapter, types of formals, then the dynamics and presentations a group must
face.
What
I realized throughout notetaking, is while being in groups with our own leaders
and problems to face, we are literally experiencing everything were covering. Being
placed in groups has allowed us to experience the responsibilities of group
members in real word scenarios. How it’s like having a leader, situations that
need to be fixed, dependency and trust in other partners, and a mean to please a
specific audience. All whilst practicing our communication and speech skills
throughout the course. I, unfortunately, was not able to attend the first
lecture of my course, but if this was explained before being sent off into groups,
I apologize for me not being up to date and weirdly starstruck by the good use of
a class. I commend the professor for thinking of such an amazing method of
class learning.
Thank
you,
Camila
Bogani
Citation:
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Professor Sinkoff
Speech and Communications
September 21, 2022
I enjoyed reading this blog very much.. the was it was written has personality!
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