January 9, 2017
This week, we will explore Google Drive, but we’ll also practice some communication skills and get to know each other a bit.
Having a Gmail account gives you access to a suite of office apps, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Calendar and more. We’ll begin with you creating a folder in your Drive (like your own file cabinet in the cloud). Title it: Last First DC. Then share it with me at lisa.a.snider@gmail.com. You will draft your work in this folder, and since I will have access to it, I will be able to help you with projects easily.
Next, we’ll watch a TEDTalk featuring Adora Svitak, who was 12 at the time she presented at this conference. This video will be used for two of your upcoming assignments. Today, pay attention to
- The content of her presentation, that is, what she has to say.
- Her style of presenting. What do you think she does well?
Your assignment for this week is to plan a brief presentation about yourself. Think about what Adora did well in her speech. How did she engage her audience? How did she make her content interesting?
In this brief, semi-informal presentation, you may choose from the following topics: a talent or hobby; an amazing or interesting experience you have had; a situation in which you learned something or had a realization. Speeches work better and hold the audience’s attention better when they are on one topic.
Plan a 2-4 minute speech that includes a hook, something to hook your audience from the first moment, making them want to listen; points to be made; examples (story-telling is almost always a good thing); and a close. Include description, imagery, anecdotal stories.
Presentations will begin the latter half of Wednesday, first with volunteers, then I will draw names from a hat. When it is your turn, be prepared.
Tips:
- You may use note cards with key words, but avoid reading off of the card.
- Make eye contact with the audience.
- Avoid leaning on furniture
- Practice so that you are less likely to forget what to say
- Avoid odd vocal mannerisms (um, like, ya’ know, things & stuff)
Try to relax and have fun with it. It gets easier every time.
DigiComm Spring 2018 