6th March 2011 11.59pm
Fringe trimmed. Checked
Attire prepared. Checked
Speech rehearsed (and rehearsed). Checked
7th March 2011 12.15pm
Presentation commences!
By coincidence, I was once again, the first speaker for the first group to present, just like the time when I had to peer teach.
I have seriously considered all the feedbacks provided during the peer teach assignment and the mock presentation. Back then, the class pointed out that my major areas of improvement included having to appear more confident and to accentuate important points more distinctly. Hence, I have especially taken note of these while preparing for the actual oral presentation (OP).
Evaluating my performance in retrospect, I can still identify areas to work on.
I am still relatively unfamiliar with the use of proper gestures. While presenting, I was simultaneously thinking about my presentation content while deciding urgently, but silently, where I should place my hands. To think that I have all these chaos within my head despite having thought through it the night before! Thus, to prevent the unfortunate event of using gestures inappropriately or awkwardly in future, I would now consciously pay more attention to how charismatic speakers like Sir Ken Robinson and Steve Jobs (recommended by Nuri :D ) use their gestures and facial expressions to aid them.
Furthermore, I should still conscientiously improve on my intonation or pronunciation.
I have also noted improvements made along the whole course of this module. Being more aware of my tendency to speak rather hastily now, I had comfortably paced and voiced myself, to deliver my speech in suitable fragments during the final OP. This helped to create emphasis and pauses that prevent my audience from drowning in a sudden deluge of information. Efforts were also made to ensure that my audience feel included by maintaining constant eye contact with everyone across the room. Besides, when referring to my charts and pictures on the slide, I would point and turn back before speaking to my audience, and not the screen.
Nuri had interestingly pointed out in his blog post, how Steve Jobs makes a great presenter (or salesperson). So before I end my reflections, I shall share with everyone another speaker: Sir Ken Robinson. He can present topics of certain gravity with appropriate humour, and we can note his use of pauses too!
I am grateful for all the feedbacks the tutor and the class have provided. I look forward to share and learn from the other groups who shall be presenting next week!
Hi Caifang,
ReplyDeleteYour presentation was really really REALLY a great improvement from the dry run. You poised yourself well, gestures and pronounciation all clear and natural. Excellent job! Thanks for sharing about Sir Ken Robinson!!!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI liked the way you paused after delivering every important point. It was very effective in allowing the audience to register the points you mentioned and keep them in mind while listening to the rest of the presentation.
In addition, I personally feel that gestures add on to the visuals of the presentation and help capture the audience's attention. However, it is important that you are comfortable with them, or else it might backfire and make you look very awkward. Perhaps, it takes a little bit of practice!
Hello Cai Fang!
ReplyDeleteI think you really improved by leaps and bounds during the presentation itself! :) I'm really glad for you! I really liked the professional way you presented to us. -thumbs up- heh.
Anyway, about still being unsure about what gestures to use during presentation, I have that same problem too! I feel awkward if I purposely try to make use of gestures, but I feel equally awkward too, if I don't make use of gestures! So I guess we all need a little imagination, time and experiences to teach us where and when to make use of gestures!
Nevertheless, I think you've really done well for the presentation! Keep up the good work fungi! :)
haha. that was yini by the way :)
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