Presentations

[Rhyfelwyr]

For my Uni course next week, I am supposed to chair the class in a seminar discussion (lasts about 1 hour). This means I have to more or less direct the discussion etc. I've also got a couple of presentations to do in the coming weeks, which basically means reading out an 1,000 word paper.

In the past, the seminar presentations have not been fun experiences. A couple of times, I've done OK in that I actually read through it. I just keep my head down and read, even though you're not really supposed to, means I get lower marks but I can live with that. At other times though, my voice just goes, chest seizes up and all, 'tis a horrible experience. On other sites I've heard people talk of similar problems, and they say they often just skip the classes. But I have went to them all so far, thinking back I don't know why I do go unquestioningly. Anyway, as you can imagine, it's not fun when this happens, and its horrendeously awkward.

So, I am quite worried about chairing this discussion. This will be worse than just reading a paper. I'm at a loss as to what to do. It's OK to muck up a paper, but this class will be revolving around me. I don't really see any other option than not going. Of course, it will be obvious to my tutor why I'm not there. I've not said a word in my history seminars so far this year, but I guess he know's its not cause I'm lazy since he taught the course that I got the prize for last year (out of over 100 students as well ).

Being a gaming forum, I guess some of you might have found yourselves in a similar predicament. If so, got any advice?

[Strike For The South]

Make them luagh and don't worry about what they think.

[TinCow]

Sounds like you've just got stage fright. Everyone feels like that when they're first getting used to public speaking. The key is to know what you're talking about. If you have to direct a class discussion, make sure you know your topic well beforehand. Then structure the class according to the topic. Find a general question to ask that covers the entire topic, or if you can't do that, do a brief overview of the topic and then pick a specific question to start with. Hypotheticals also work well. The questions should be broad and open to interpretation, then solicit the class for answers to the questions you're asking.

If you get responses, great. Let them speak as much as they want to, then follow up their points with further questions. If you agree with their points, ask your questions in a manner which moves the class towards the next point about the topic you're discussing. If you disagree with their points, ask pointed questions about why they think particular things, and mention aspect of the topic that you are aware of which you think show flaws in their analysis.

If you don't get any responses, then you've got to answer your own question to keep things moving. Do so in a gradual way, leaving the floor open for someone to speak up whenever possible (since that's what you want to encourage).

In this way, move through your mental (or physical) outline of the topic until you've covered the whole thing or run out of time. In general, running out of time is always better, particularly in a classroom setting. So, come with as broad an outline as possible and make sure you've got enough questions to ask to help you chew through a lot of time.

I promise you, if you know what you're talking about before you get to the class, you won't have any problems. At best, you'll lead the class in a great discussion about the issues and impress your professor. At worst, no one but you talks, which makes everyone else will look foolish and you will look smart. Neither result is bad.

[Crazed Rabbit]

See if your university has an improv club or group you can join. It can feel silly at first, but it helps people open up. Even if you can't find one, or only get a chance to go to one meeting, by next week, I recommend you keep at it for the future.

Course, I've never really had this problem. ( ) I grew up enjoying acting and the like.

CR

[Zain]

Pretend you're in your underwear...

Or is it... Nah!

Good luck!

[Megas Methuselah]

My English teacher in grade 12 gave us random topics every Monday (snow, summer, football, fun/boring, etc.) and forced us to go in front of the class every Friday for a couple minutes and tell a few very short personal stories/occurences, which are hopefully amusing enough for the rest of the class to pay attention.

Going through a semester of this insanity has the astounding effect of eliminating stage fright. I used to hate the attention I got up there, mostly because I was always a quiet and good-looking person, so people tended to pay attention when I had something to say.

[Viking]

For my Uni course next week, I am supposed to chair the class in a seminar discussion (lasts about 1 hour). This means I have to more or less direct the discussion etc. I've also got a couple of presentations to do in the coming weeks, which basically means reading out an 1,000 word paper.

In the past, the seminar presentations have not been fun experiences. A couple of times, I've done OK in that I actually read through it. I just keep my head down and read, even though you're not really supposed to, means I get lower marks but I can live with that. At other times though, my voice just goes, chest seizes up and all, 'tis a horrible experience. On other sites I've heard people talk of similar problems, and they say they often just skip the classes. But I have went to them all so far, thinking back I don't know why I do go unquestioningly. Anyway, as you can imagine, it's not fun when this happens, and its horrendeously awkward.

So, I am quite worried about chairing this discussion. This will be worse than just reading a paper. I'm at a loss as to what to do. It's OK to muck up a paper, but this class will be revolving around me. I don't really see any other option than not going. Of course, it will be obvious to my tutor why I'm not there. I've not said a word in my history seminars so far this year, but I guess he know's its not cause I'm lazy since he taught the course that I got the prize for last year (out of over 100 students as well ).

Being a gaming forum, I guess some of you might have found yourselves in a similar predicament. If so, got any advice?

Break patterns if you abide any. Exploration yields greater insight.