GECOM

Podium Panic

For some people, the thought of giving a presentation is more frightening than falling off a cliff, financial difficulties, snakes and even death.

Dealing with Podium Panic

Nervousness should be invisible; Be yourself and concentrate; Start slow and be confident; Practice deep breathing; Use visualization techniques; Begin in your comfort zone; Check out the room.

Eye Contact

Never let them out of your sight; Looking them in the eye makes them feel that they are influencing what you say; Eye contact allows the presentation to approximate conversation—the audience feels much more involved.

Body Language (No-No's)

Lean on or grip the podium; Rock or sway in place; Stand immobile; Use a single gesture repeatedly; Examine or bite your fingernails; Cross your arms in front of your chest; Use obviously practiced or stilted gestures; Chew gum or eat candy; Click or tap your pen, pencil or pointer; Lean into the microphone; Shuffle your notes unnecessarily; Tighten your tie or otherwise play with your clothing; Crack your knuckles; Jangle change or key in your pocket.

Voice Intelligibility

Articulation; Pronunciation; Vocalized pauses; Overuse of stock expressions; Substandard grammar.

Voice Variability

Rate of Speech; Volume; Pitch or tone; Emphasis.

Preparing Content: 3 As

Analyze your AUDIENCE; Define what ACTION you want them to take; Arrange your ARGUMENT to move them.

Analyze Your Audience

Consider names, titles, backgrounds, reasons for attending; Their big concerns; Objectives, fears, hot buttons, and attitudes; Their perception of you and your institution; Likely questions; What is personally at stake for them; How much detail they need.

Define what Action

Define what action you want the audience to take; Define it in terms of the audience; Determine what they will feel, believe, and do after hearing your talk.

Arranging Your Argument

Shake hands with the audience; Get to the point; Present your theme; Tell them; Develop your agenda point by point; Summarize and recommend.

Visual Aids — Design Concepts

Big: At least 28 pts, preferably 36, readable up to the back row; Simple: Concise and easy to understand; Clear: Use sans serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or Eras; Ensure background and text color contrast (yellow & blue, black & white); Beware of busy backgrounds; Visual aids should be on the speaker's left.

Questions & Answers

Beginning of a whole new interactive presentation; Opportunity to make a point; Most presentations are won or lost here; Tips: Anticipate lines of questioning; Rehearse; Keep answers brief; Be honest; Avoid negative words; Defer to experts; Don’t repeat negative questions; Clarify question; Move your eyes off the questioner.

Responding to Negative Questions

If negative, end your response focused on somebody else; Never argue with a member of the audience; Look at the questioner; Remain neutral and attentive; Listen to the whole question; Pause before responding; Address the questioner, then move your eyes to others.

Easy as ABC

“I can't Answer that question Because…., but I Can tell you…”; Offer an alternative solution.

Sign

Every “sign” (symbol) has two main components: the signifier and the signified.

Signifier

An object, a word or an image that represents the concept.

Signified

Refers to the concept which the signifiers refer to; the meaning drawn by the receiver of the sign.

Cultural Sensitivity

An awareness and acknowledgment of differences in culture.

Key Concepts of Media Literacy

A framework serving as a basis for developing a critical understanding of the content of mass media, the techniques used, and the impact of these techniques; helpful for constructing media texts for different purposes.

All Media Messages Are Constructed

Media messages are intentionally created; Guide Questions: What is the message of the text? How effectively does it represent reality? How is the message constructed?

Media Have Embedded Values and Points of View

Media reflects lifestyles, values, and points of view; Guide Questions: Who or what is missing?

Each Person Interprets Messages Differently

Individuals perceive media messages differently; Guide Questions: What message do you perceive? How might others understand it differently? Why?

Media Have Commercial, Ideological, or Political Interests

Media messages have purposes and target audiences; Guide Questions: What is the purpose of the text? Who is the target audience? Who might be disadvantaged? Who created the text and why?

Media Messages Use a Creative Language With Its Own Rules

Media uses techniques to construct messages; Guide Questions: What techniques are used and why? How effective are they? What are other ways of representing the messages?

Text

Any form of written, spoken, or media work conveying meaning to an audience; Text may use words, graphics, sounds, and images; Can be oral, print, visual, or electronic.

Multimodal Text

A text that combines two or more semiotic systems, e.g., linguistic, visual, audio, gestural, and spatial.

Linguistic System

Vocabulary, structure, and grammar of oral or written language.

Visual System

Colors, vectors, and viewpoint in still or moving images.

Audio System

Volume, pitch, and rhythm of music and sound effects.

Gestural System

Movement, speed, and stillness in facial expression and body language.

Spatial System

Proximity, direction, position of layout, and organization of objects in space.

Paper

Includes books, comics, flyers, picture books combining textual and visual elements.

Digital

Includes blogs, videos, social media, slide presentations, and webpages combining sound, oral/written language, music, and still or moving images.

Live

Includes performances, acts, ballet, or dance; elements include gesture, music, and movement in space.

Transmedia

Use of various platforms in storytelling; digital platforms enable participative storytelling for entertainment, advertising, business, or social change.

Universal Design

The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design; includes accessibility guidelines.

Multimodal Learning

Effectively uses different modes to express meaning; modes work together to create unique meaning.

Multimodal Universal

Core of multimodal learning is communicating concepts effectively; core of universal design ensures everyone can access the communication.

Seek Clarification

Clarify before responding to comments or queries that may lead to arguments.

Emphasized

Respect feelings and beliefs of other speakers; be kind, tactful, and understanding while listening.

Be Sensitive to Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues

Listen to both what is said and how it is said.