Monday, 8th November 2010 was the day when I have to face my biggest fear again: speaking in front of people. To be honest, I am very disappointed with my performance during peer teaching session and I feel bad whenever I think about that. I do not want my presentation to affect our group presentation as a whole because we have put in a lot of effort to it. Therefore, I decided that I will try my best to improve on my presentation skills.
As our topic is academic related and not suitable to include too many visual images, I used different techniques to make it easier to follow. To emphasize on each objective of the team, I did contrast effects on the words. For instance, the main point is shown in solid color while the other points are shown in very light colors. Besides, I used flow chart to introduce the working procedure of RIPE. By referring to the slides during presentation, I am able to elaborate on all the important points that I want to share. I have learnt to present ideas by elaborating on the key words in presentation slides but not memorizing speech like what I did during peer teaching.
I realized I speak very fast when I am nervous. So, during my presentation, I tried to control my pace in talking. I spoke slower and used a suggestive tone in presenting our group’s proposed idea. Our proposed idea will not be convincing if I appear to be lack of confidence. I remember towards the end of my presentation, I lost my words and could not continue on talking. Luckily, I calmed myself and said: “Let me rephrase….” This allows me a few seconds to structure the sentence that I wanted to say.
For this oral presentation, I am lucky to have two excellent team members: Berwyn and Jun Xiong. We managed to prepare our presentation slides one week ahead of the actual day. I have more time to practice my speech and have rehearsal with them. After every rehearsal, they gave me very suggestive comments and pointed out my mistakes so that I can work on it. Besides my team mates, I have to thank Sheau Shiuh for being my audience on the night before oral presentation day. She helped me by simulating the nervous effect that I will get when I stand in front of people. Practice really helps!!
I did not give a perfect presentation but I am happy with my improvement as compared to the previous peer teaching.
In addition, I think I forgot to smile when i am presenting. :(
ReplyDeleteAlthough I could not really see if you were smiling or not, you did really well during the presentation! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, what I feel is that we all learn something from this experience. Through this learning experience, we will be able to understand which areas we are lacking in and thus know where to improve on.
It is better to improve now when we have the chance. =)
Oh, I forgot to add, thanks for the help and support you have given to me!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement!!
ReplyDeleteMay i know who you are?
Dear Wanting,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you conquered you fear of public speaking. I can tell the big improvement compared to your peer teaching. Well, maybe improvement is not the right word. You have all the qualities to be a great speaker. It is the fear that blocks your true self.
I enjoyed listening to your presentation as you had such a pleasant tone or suggestive tone as you call it. I can follow your content quite easily.
For the powerpoint slides, I can tell your group indeed put in a lot of effort. haha... it is a bit like the lecture notes though. Maybe another background can create more visual impact? Image NUSEU people sat there whole day, what can refresh them?
Well, you didn't smile a lot but your tone is kinda compensate it. You are so courageous to reorganize your though and you did a great job and you didn't make the "err. emm" sounds.
I noticed the interesting transition between speakers. Good Job!
Since your group have the phone to control the computer, you may consider to stand at the right side of the screen from the video sent by Ms Lim.
The above just pennies of my thought. Hope it helps.
PS. Finalfa is Berwyn. =)
Thank you Hu Xuan!! I'm so glad to receive constructive comments from you :) The transition part was not very satisfying as we took some time to pass the mobile phone to one another. I'll take note of that and hope to improve on my next presentation.
ReplyDeleteHi Wan Ting,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your presentation.
I can't help but say this again: When you do not smile, you look very stern! From the audience's point of view, I think you will look more approachable if you could smile more!
Regarding your slides, I like the consistency in the slides. However, I do feel that the idea could be better brought across by the use of images, such as a picture of the Prof involved in RIPE, or perhaps an flowchart of how the processes is like with the implementation of your idea.
As long as you "think" you are nervous, you will be! The way you acted as the "discipline teacher" in class clearly points out that you can still project your voice and speak confidently in front of an audience.
I guess sometimes our greatest enemy is ourselves. Perhaps try to minimize your anxiety on the most handsome person or on something funny? You can imagine the audience naked if it helps!
What I could see during your oral presentation was a significant effort in presenting as professional as possible. Carry on this hard work and I'm sure you can be as eloquent as the Steve Jobs!
Hi Calvin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing me your insightful comments about my performance. I really appreciate that.
When preparing my slides, i tried very hard to come out with creative images to portray my main points but unfortunately, I failed. I only managed to come out with a flow chart to demonstrate the procedure. I think I need to watch more presentation by those influential speakers and learn their presentation skills.
I was not as nervous as my peer teaching session this time. I took advices from Ms Lim and some classmates and tried to calm myself before I present. Taking deep breath really helps. I am actually glad that I am able to decrease my anxiety, although not entirely.
Haha Berwyn must be so sad you did not know it was him..
ReplyDeleteWan Ting, one thing that struck me when I was observing your presentation was that you had such poise and confidence, much more than when you did your peer teaching. You did really well, so focus on the positive, not the negative. No one is perfect, but you had very significant improvement, which is a huge plus point.
Thank you Jun Xiong!! I'm so happy that others can see my improvement.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me to calm myself down before our oral presentation. I still remember I was nervous and mumbling to myself before the presentation but you were telling me take a deep breath and relax. Hahahaha....that was a funny situation but it works!
Hi Wan Ting, thanks for the detailed post! I'm glad to know that you are looking at this as a good learning experience - that's the spirit!
ReplyDeleteI saw a much more confident Wan Ting this time round, and the huge amount of effort you put in was obvious. You were definitely a much calmer and composed presenter, who had clarity of mind, and who knew her content very well.
What I liked about your presentation was the appropriate pacing, the volume, the gestures, and your quick ability to recover when your mind decided to 'take a break'. Without sufficient practice, all the above would not have been possible (and I am sure you will agree with me on this).
What would make your presentation a better one would be:
(1) To have a seamless transition from one speaker to the next. When Junxiong passed the baton to you, asking a question (and this is a unique and attention-grabbing way of transiting from one speaker to the next), the transition would have been made much more effective if you had addressed him and responded to his question. That would also start off your presentation with a delivery strategy, grabbing your audience's attention.
(2) Avoiding distracting mannerism in your verbal delivery. I noted the use of ‘erms’ a couple of times in your presentation and it may suggest to the audience you were not familiar with the content, hence the uncertainty and the search for words. Consciously avoid this in your future presentations and you will come across as a more assured presenter.
(3) SMILE! You have very sweet smile, Wan Ting, so yes, don't forget to smile. That's your million-dollar winning smile =) so don't leave it at home. A good dose of enthusiasm will also be helpful in presentations.
All in all, I saw good improvements in your oral presentation so give yourself a pat on the back for that! Thanks for the fine effort!