This week in AP Literature and Composition I learned something that I did not expect. Usually, I find myself learning about different aspects of writing or why elements of fiction are important. However, this week I learned the importance of public speaking. For our class's What is Literature? projects, each group was required to give a presentation in front of our classmates. I found it really difficult to pay attention for long periods of time to other groups because they were either reading straight from the computer screen in front of them or they were stumbling over their words, not knowing what to say.
Having a voice and presence in front of an audience is extremely important, especially when you are trying to teach your audience what is on your Prezi presentation. I would have found it extremely helpful if my classmates had taken the time before getting in front of the class to rehearse who was going to explain what and when. There was lots of interjecting and blank looks of what to say next.
With that said, I completely understand that it is nerve wracking it is to stand in front of your peers and explain something only you have been studying for the past three weeks. So, I believe it is important to know how to flow your presentation together. By being prepared and having a set place to go, it will be much easier to stand in front of everyone. I have found it is really scary to go in cold for a presentation. You want to have your classmates understand what you are saying and stay interested. The video series Speak Well in Public really helped me grasp the idea of keeping my audience attentive. I definitely think I will take the idea of asking a question or stating an interesting fact at the beginning of my future presentations. Delivering information does not need to be boring and dry! If we as students and educators take the time to prepare what we are going to say to our peers, the audience will listen and the presenter will have a successful informational session.
In a way I hope we have another opportunity to give presentations in front of the class because I would like to take what I have learned from the Speak Well in Public series and apply it to my work.
Having a voice and presence in front of an audience is extremely important, especially when you are trying to teach your audience what is on your Prezi presentation. I would have found it extremely helpful if my classmates had taken the time before getting in front of the class to rehearse who was going to explain what and when. There was lots of interjecting and blank looks of what to say next.
With that said, I completely understand that it is nerve wracking it is to stand in front of your peers and explain something only you have been studying for the past three weeks. So, I believe it is important to know how to flow your presentation together. By being prepared and having a set place to go, it will be much easier to stand in front of everyone. I have found it is really scary to go in cold for a presentation. You want to have your classmates understand what you are saying and stay interested. The video series Speak Well in Public really helped me grasp the idea of keeping my audience attentive. I definitely think I will take the idea of asking a question or stating an interesting fact at the beginning of my future presentations. Delivering information does not need to be boring and dry! If we as students and educators take the time to prepare what we are going to say to our peers, the audience will listen and the presenter will have a successful informational session.
In a way I hope we have another opportunity to give presentations in front of the class because I would like to take what I have learned from the Speak Well in Public series and apply it to my work.