Tips and Tricks for Sparkling Presentations
Audio
Avoid background noise Mute your mic if your bell rings or you have an announcement Watch mic placement (she’s hot) Don’t move the a desk type mic by hand unless necessary Make sure that your digital music/audio (if any) is loud enough to be picked up by the microphone. Speak in a normal, conversational tone, but more slowly and clearly. Vary your vocal pitch, volume and flow of delivery.
Video/Cameras
Tommy says, “Move your students to the camera instead of moving the camera to the students.” Gerri says, “I am a strong believer in camera presets. Whichever way you do it, practice, practice, practice!” Determining preset camera angles ahead of time is key. It saves time and keeps the presentation flowing if you can quickly change to a different view. Put “X’s” on the floor using tape to determine where the students and/or props should stand, etc. so that they can quickly find it. After placing something on the document camera, get it in position and try to keep it still Be careful with camera shots – student(s) speaking should be in full view. A close-up of the person speaking is nice and they should be looking at the camera. Don’t keep the video selection on one source for too long. If showing a computer presentation and/or using the document camera, be sure to come back and show the presenters often.
Materials
Always, Always, Always show a map of your state to show where you are located. If you are a rural school, include larger cities as reference points. Make sure your school name can be seen. Power Point presentations or documents need to be in at least 24 (preferably 36 font) with dark letters on a white background or white letters on a dark background. Avoid weird font and the color red or ANY color in the family of red. Don’t have any more than 6 lines per slide and remember that you don’t want to type out every single word someone is going to say. The slide should contain “points” of information with relational graphics rather than be a script for reading. Think “visual” - use graphics and visuals to reduce the number of words
Interaction
Let Q and A happen – may have to get them started especially JH and HS students Students should introduce themselves when asking or answering a question. Example: “Hi. My name is Phillip. My question is….” Presenting students should BUILD interaction into their presentation. Not just an “Any questions??” comment but find ways to actually interact.
Practice
Practice your presentations in a video connection to get your students accustomed to the technology. The practice site can check your audio and video and offer advice.
Miscelaneous
Show the remote sites a picture(s) of your school, mascot, Principal, Teacher Do not assume the receiving site has any previous knowledge about the subject matter in your presentation EX: subway, milking machine, cotton module, South Carolina Geography Quiz Don’t be a talking head – a single students part should not be so long that it requires them to read Arrive early GREAT discipline – you are representing your school and district Look at camera Introduce self – “Hi my name is…” Pay attention to dialog Announce if arriving late or leaving early
Etiquette
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Other thoughts on student presentations/collaboration projects
Divide calls into groups and give each group a part of the presentation Customs are great – especially EL students Collaborative Projects require instruction time but students become teachers Pick a topic of local interest – what is everyday to you is new to the receiving site You never really know what type of program you will get back – NY math quiz Put out 3 – Longhorns, Cross Plains Fire, Our State History – guess which was the most requested? Sites to post CLIC – Connect2Texas in the future????? Q & A can get off topic – favorite food, mascot, TV shows, etc – let them run with Q & A some – what is important to us is not always important to them
Contact: Gerri Maglia, gmaglia@esc11.net or Tommy Bearden, bearden@esc14.net