I never really like giving presentations. Presentations
do scare me. All the attention focus on the speaker can be daunting. Being a
quiet nature person, this was certainly a leap out of my comfort zone.
Prior to my presentation, I shared with my group a video I stumbled
on YouTube about what makes Steve Job’s keynotes so persuasive. I have always
enjoyed Steve Job’s keynotes, they were simple, engaging and you could sense
his enthusiasm for his products. There’s never a dull moment in his keynotes. At
the end of it, I just feel like I need this product although I don’t really
need it.
As such, our group decided to adapt some of his approach. We
make our slides as simple as possible, less words, more emphasis on figures, images
and the positive experience. We also wanted to adapt his use of power words
like “fantastic, revolutionary, etc” to show our enthusiasm for our topic.
Unlike my peer teaching presentation, I prepared a script
this time. I usually tend to repeat points or forget points or spend too much
time thinking of an idea if I don’t prepare one. On the day of presentation day,
I was nervous and I forgot the sequence of my ideas. Thankfully, there were
slides there to remind me of the sequence.
One of the takeaways was that I should just have short
glances on the slides and make more eye contact with my audience. Secondly, I
should have practice more. With more practice, I think I will be better
prepared which will translate to a more confident presentation.
I am sure there will be many more presentations for all of
us in time to come. I will definitely remember the lessons learnt. By doing
more presentations, I am sure the improvement will come.
Thank you for sharing this honest self reflection on the OP, Dwayne. It's interesting that you mention being tied a bit too much to the script. Yes, at times it seemed apparent. But for the most part you "faked it" until you "became it." As for the slides, I was very happy your group went with the Jobs approach. The images were quite impressive as was the simplicity.
ReplyDeleteYour delivery was much improved over the peer teaching. Still, you can make even more improvements (as my feedback to you shows). Best of luck in your next presentation.
Thanks Brad, I look forward to the feedback. Glad you liked the slides.
DeleteHey Dwayne,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your presentation tremendously. The slides were pleasing to the eye and easy to follow.
The slides were effective and the pictures, relevant. Your appeal to the audience to "imagine a world where..." was very engaging also. I think that of all the groups that presented, your slides were the most impressive not because of the amount of content but because of their effectiveness.
I do not think that you were nervous or that you were daunted by the audience. In fact, I think you had quite the commanding presence and captured the audience's attention right from the start.
I'm sure we will all keep improving as we practice.
Kel Ley
Hi Kel Ley,
DeleteGlad that it was easy to follow the slides and my 'imagine a world...' Actually at the start, my legs were shaking at the start and when I get nervous I do raise my voice to drown my nervousness.
Thanks for your feedback. We will all improve with more practice.
Hey Dwayne,
ReplyDeleteI was also really impressed by your use of slides. Sofie sent me the video you used, I will watch it carefully before my next presentation promoting something and try to make my slides as good as yours.
I also think the video you used in the introduction to your presentation was good and made it fun to watch the presentation. Thinking of it actually made me laugh a little for my self now, haha. Furthermore, I think you spoke clearly and to me you didn't seem nervous. Also I think you did a good job getting everyone's attention while starting the presentation.
Thanks for sharing, see you!
Mikaela
Hi Mikaela!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed that video Sofie sent. The way Steve Job presents is just so captivating.
Thanks for your feedback! Great to have you in the class.
Hey Dwayne!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a great job done for your presentation! Having done the peer teaching with you earlier in the semester, I could really sense the positive change in your presentation style. Somehow when I think about our peer teaching session, the hamburger picture that you put in your slides pops into my mind. Haha.
Anyway, I felt that you kicked off the presentation well, and you were able to engage the audience to listen attentively with the 'I'm in charge here' tone that you adopted right from the beginning. I think your successful start was very useful in giving the rest of your group the courage and confidence to continue with giving a great presentation. Compared to the peer teaching session, I found that there was also a decrease in the number of fillers used, which made the delivery of your presentation a lot smoother!
I think one tiny thing that could be noted however, is sometimes the pauses in your sentences come across as a little bit abrupt, a bit like a driver jamming on brakes. I think if this could be addressed, then your delivery would be even more natural. I hope I make sense!
Once again, great effort! (: See you Friday!
Gail
Thanks Gail:)
DeleteI can't believe you still remembered the hamburger picture! Seems that visual images are easier to recall.
Thanks for pointing out those pauses in my sentences. At that point I was thinking through my script, afraid that I miss out some important point. I will definitely work on it.
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback:)
Hi Dwayne!
ReplyDeleteJust finished watching your Steve Jobs video. That was really helpful! It was great of you to research on presentation skills and shared with your group mates. I feel that the slides your group had prepared was the most effective. In fact, I was consciously trying to remember the way the slides were designed during the presentation, to try and pick up a trick or two :)
I did enjoyed your opening and found your presentation very engaging. You did not seem too nervous but rather come across as rather confident. But of course, there are times when nerves got to you, but overall it was a convincing introduction. Well done!
Xiao Wei
Hi Xiao Wei!
DeleteGlad you like the Steve Jobs video. I personally think he is one of the best presenters of our generation.
Thanks for your feedback. Sometimes when I do get nervous, I raise my voice to hide my nervousness. It might come across as being confident but deep down I am really nervous. I guess that I couldn't hide it later after I was more calm. Will definitely work on it.
Thanks for reading:)