Teaching Reflection 3

The readings for this week were all about presentation skills. One of my favorites was the PowerPoint on using PowerPoint for presentations. I also enjoyed the videos from class on great presenters like Steve Jobs and why, as well as the ten tips for presenting. All gave advise that I have heard and have experienced before. The change was taking an active role and really thinking about using the advise for my upcoming presentation. Here are the things that stood out:

1) Practice, Practice, Practice. I have practiced presentations in the past and have found them to go well. However, I don’t usually make it a habit. I am going to take the two presentation/instruction session this semester to actively make a habit out of practicing. That also goes for my other class and the presentations I have to make in them. I am also going to practice with the visual aids, like PowerPoint, not just practice the material. I want to make sure that I do not rely on the Slides. I want to make the presentation without looking at the Slides at all. I will not write down everything I am going to say, but I will know what I am going to say.

2) Humor. I know that I have wanted to practice using humor in my presentations/instruction sessions. I definitely want to try that during class and see how it goes.

3) The presentation process. Outline for audience, use visuals, make it simple, leave them wanting. I unusually put in thought about my presentations. However, I am going to try and put more thought into the presentations. I am going to give it a flow like Steve Jobs. I also want to try an incorporate the surprises or the visuals that will keep the audience engaged (like how he came out with a manila envelope to present the Mac Book Air and how thin it was). Repeating or having a theme is also important and I want to make sure I stay on topic. I also need to work on my transitions (that goes with the flow of the presentation).

I am still working on what I am going to talk about in my presentation and what I am going to teach in my session. However, I have narrowed it down to Characteristics of Heroes and how to cut the Iliad based on Plato’s republic chapter’s 2 and 3.

Grassian, E. S., & Kaplowitz, J. R. (2009). Information literacy instruction: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York: Newal-Schuman. Chapter 12.

Knowledge documentation and job aids.

Techniques (2006, November/December). Leadership matters, 10-11.

Lifehacker. Five ways to not suck at Power Point.