Presentation Skills Workshop Should you require this or any other handout in a different format, please let us know

Aims of this workshop –To increase your understanding of what makes a good presentation –To look at some common pitfalls and how to avoid them –To develop practical strategies for planning and delivering effective presentations

By the end of the session… …you will have had the chance to think about and discuss how to: – select material which is appropriate for the purpose and the audience – structure material – make a good delivery – deal with nerves – prepare relevant visual aids using PowerPoint – resolve problems and issues delivering group presentations

Tell your group about an activity that you like to either watch or be involved in - one minute only!

Academic Presentations Are they being assessed? What criteria is being used? What is the % markings? What is the time allocation? Who is your audience?

Unprofessional approach Extremely professional approach Unclear communication Communicated extremely clearly Poor planning evident Excellent planning evident Poor and/or unclear objectives Excellent and clear objectives Inappropriate methods adopted Extremely appropriate methods adopted Meaningless results presented Meaningful results presented Poor interpretation of results Excellent interpretation of results Presentation poorly structured Presentation extremely well structured Example group research presentation assessment sheet

Four key elements of a good presentation: AM PM Audience – where are they coming from? – what do they need to know? Message – what are the most important things to get across? Presenter – how to present with impact? Medium – what’s the most effective medium to use? – how to control it?

What I would do if I won the Lottery…

Thinking about your audience How would you present your course if you were talking to: –A group of 6th form students –Your tutors –A community group of elderly people Audience

Describe someone you respect or your favourite celebrity and explain why you like them.

Thinking about your message Message

Message - what? Selecting material –How much time do you have? (Practise to make sure it fits!) –What key messages do you want to get across? –Brainstorming – can be used by groups or individuals –When working in groups – must be supportive of every contribution –Visualise ideas – create a mind map

Use mind mapping techniques to generate ideas for content

Use MindGenius to generate ideas

Message - how are you going to structure it? outline the content and your angle and grab their attention decide the best message order for logical flow of ideas summarise the main points and restate your angle MiddleBeginningEnd

…or Tell ’em what you are going to tell ’em Tell ’em Tell ’em what you’ve just told ’em

Describe a recent holiday

Thinking about your message Presenter

Delivering your message Generate interest by changing pitch, intonation and speech pattern. Don’t just give lots of information. Turn statements into questions: “We chose gender stereotyping because it occurred in the highest number of situations.” “So, why do you think we chose gender stereotyping? ( PAUSE FOR EFFECT ) We chose it because it occurred in the highest number of situations.” Listening to lots of student presentations can be boring.

You the presenter How confident are you in: –Using your voice (clarity and volume)? –Using body language (gestures, facial expression)? –Timing (speed, detail, length)? –Dealing with nerves? –Responding to audience (eye contact, changing pace given cues)?

Feeling tense? What do you do when you are nervous? What strategies can you adopt to overcome them?

Effective Communication Know about what you want to say. Look at people when you speak to them. Speak clearly and keeping what you say simple and uncomplicated. Ensure that your words, body language and voice match what you are saying. Give clarity to what you are communicating by attending to signs of other people’s confusion, resentment or lack of interest. Summarise and check that people understand you.

Breathing exercises fuel - lungs sound – voice box shape – lips and tongue

Thinking about your message Medium

Using different mediums Flip Chart and Poster presentations –Clear and concise –Visual impact –Well organised OHTs –File in ring-binder – use clear plastic wallets to store and organise –Test the equipment – check focus and visibility Prompt cards –Hole punch and tag –Subdivide into sections with one or two prompt words –Use highlighters to attract the eye, but not too much detail

Learning About PowerPoint Ask someone who knows to show you! ISS training Surf the web for tutorials.

Font and Transition If you use a small font, your audience won’t be able to read what you have written CAPITALISE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO READ. Avoid complicated / distracting transitions Complicated fonts are difficult to read

Colour Using a font colour that does not contrast with the background colour is hard to read Using colour for decoration is distracting and annoying. Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary –Using a different colour for secondary points is also unnecessary Trying to be creative can also be bad

Background – Bad Avoid backgrounds that are distracting or difficult to read from Always be consistent with the background that you use

Your group presentation You are a group of tour operators who are preparing a presentation to increase visitor attendance. Agree a destination and pick one of the target audiences below: Cultural experience for over 60s Family holiday Club holiday You have 20 minutes to prepare a 4 minute presentation. Think about the structure. What might some of the bullet points be? Think about delivery. You need to involve each member of the group in the presentation and keep to time.

Learning from feedback Complete the presentation skills self audit: How do you rate your own presentation skills? What have you just learnt about your strengths and weaknesses? What strategies and techniques will you adopt to improve your performance?

Use resources Try online tutorials Book a group working room – ask for presentation facilities Practise in a group working room Log into your student account to access your own files Use your printer credits for handouts Save your presentation

Remember 1.The higher you climb the further you fall – technology can and often does let you down. 2.Don’t make any assumptions about technology. It is your responsibility to check what is in a room and what you can use confidently. 3.Make sure the equipment you are using to deliver your presentation can support the media you wish to use. 4.Check all sound card volume controls before starting.

Session Objectives Recap To increase your understanding of what makes a good presentation. To look at some common pitfalls and how to avoid them. To develop practical strategies for planning and delivering effective presentations.