Bueller. Improving Communication Skills in the Classroom February 27, 2009 By Katherine Pantinas

Who Am I? Katherine Pantinas, MA BA in Journalism and Speech Communication MA in Communication 20 years experience in public speaking 5 years competitive speaking 8 years providing professional training in public speaking and communication skills 3 years classroom instruction in public speaking and communication skills

A Painful Example Instructional Strategies: Ferris Beuller's Day OffInstructional Strategies: Ferris Beuller's Day Off

Preparation Organization - Arranging your information in an orderly and logical fashion Topical Group all information by sub-topics Chronological Ordering the information according to a timeline Presenting information in the order it is written in the textbook

Speaking Skills Voice Volume – how loudly or quietly you speak Pace – the rate of your speech Tone – the highness or lowness of the voice Vocal Variety – using a consistently changing pattern of volume, pace, and tone to capture the audiences attention

Speaking Skills Verbal Pauses Um, ah, er, well, like, etc. Allow the moment of silence Dealing with Nervousness Be prepared Practice Get in the right frame of mind

Nonverbal Communication What Image do YOU want to project? Informal Sitting Casual clothes Casual language, uses first name Structured Walks the room Office clothes Informal language, probably uses first name Formal Stands Business Attire Formal language, probably uses title and/or last name

Strategies for Increasing Discussion Use YOU as an example Encourage the students to speak freely Vegas rule Ask a Who here has…? question, followed by an open-ended question Let the silence stand Think outside the box Have them move, change seats, exercise Have them work in groups, then discuss with the class Talk about something NOT on topic

Tips for Using Visual Aids Power Point DONT TALK TO THE SCREEN Dont put too much information on the slides Video Never use video without discussion! Internet Have the internet sites up before class Handouts Do not handout anything until the end They will concentrate on the handout and not YOU!

Lets Talk! Questions, Comments or Issues Youve Had in Your Classrooms?

Thank you! References Hughes, J. (Producer). (1986). Ferris bueller's day off [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures. Retrieved February 24, 2009, from YouTube Web site: oGumvPz0 Lucas, S. E. (2007). The art of public speaking (9th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. (Original work published 1983)