The first week for the #HUMANMOCC class is focused on establishing an instructor presence with the use of video. As I watch some of the participants' introductions I begin to wonder if we can do online instruction without video.
The Number One impression I have is the way the personality of the instructor is able to emerge, even with a short video. Since one of the aims of this course is to find ways of humanizing or personalizing online instruction it seems obvious that getting a sense of the personality behind the instruction will pay dividends. The video introductions from Week Zero and then the video intros to various reinforced my feeling that video is crucial to a humanizing process.
A second reason I am a fan of video is the effect it has on my own learning. When I first got into Online Learning, way back in 2000, the tool was amazing but the course I was in, Media Literacy, did not have the ability to provide effective video tools. This should not be surprising, those were the dark ages of online. In today's world and the world of MOOC's platforms like Coursera offer tools that allow instructors to make learning most engaging. Recently I took a course in global health from a Duke professor who used video to introduce us to concepts by using authorities who were working all around the world. His on-site interviews made that class alive. And, when he was "lecturing" from his office he kept the material focused and concise so that he maintained attention. The other beauty of this was the ability to go back and engage again to get even more meaning from the material.
I also know from my recent attempts at online course development that the students complain about being overwhelmed with reading when what they see are lessons that provide copy and links and require them to process everything through the eyes. Many of these students just HATE to have to read.
I am a believer in the use of video for online learning and I can also add that the major downside from the instructor perspective is the time it takes to develop effective videos. While sometimes a one-take sitdown will work, most of the time you need a couple of takes to get it where it really needs to be. In addition, if you use video most effectively you are bringing other tools that must be integrated into the video learning and this kind of coordination is time consuming -- a major downside.
As we go through the rest of this instructor presence instruction from week one it will be interesting for me to read how others approach this idea -- especially how they make the time to be most effective.
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Sunday, December 6, 2015
"HumanMOOC"
Starting a new class about finding ways to make online learning more interactive for those taking the classes. This is a bit of an adventure and part of the philosophy of 'Try New Things' that I am attempting to implement in my life. Am looking forward to this new learning experience.
The first impressions of the course include the idea that the graphics in use are engaging and captivating. Let's move on and see how this works.
The first impressions of the course include the idea that the graphics in use are engaging and captivating. Let's move on and see how this works.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Seth Godin discusses reading a speech
It is a bit of a coincidence that the speech class I am coaching this morning is all about manuscript speeches. Manuscript is not the speech shttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftyle I recommend.As a public speaking instructor/coach my goal is for those involved to become comfortable with extemporaneous (carefully rehearsed spontaneity) speaking.
Seth Godin, a marketing guru and leadership instructor, has a concise way of putting things in his blog. It just happens that today's blog that he titles, "Your voice will give you away." on the question of reading or presehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnting your talk. I recommend reading his words.
In my Coker College speech class this morning we are doing an exercise in manuscript speaking. Most of the students will be using a two-minute speech excerpt from one of the top 100 speeches of the 2http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif0th century. They are asked to find an interesting part of the speech and to then extract a two-minute section. They then present that two minutes to the class -- not memorized but as a manuscript speech. There are several goals for this assignment but one is for students to see how preparation can help them internalize the message so that even if they will read most of the talk, they will have enough familiarity with the material to make a real connection with the audience. They will also see how right Seth Godin is because some student will only read and the reading will not engage the students. As the class leader my hope is that students will get it as they hear it and not make those "reading" mistakes when it comes to their own presentations and speeches.
Seth Godin, a marketing guru and leadership instructor, has a concise way of putting things in his blog. It just happens that today's blog that he titles, "Your voice will give you away." on the question of reading or presehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnting your talk. I recommend reading his words.
In my Coker College speech class this morning we are doing an exercise in manuscript speaking. Most of the students will be using a two-minute speech excerpt from one of the top 100 speeches of the 2http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif0th century. They are asked to find an interesting part of the speech and to then extract a two-minute section. They then present that two minutes to the class -- not memorized but as a manuscript speech. There are several goals for this assignment but one is for students to see how preparation can help them internalize the message so that even if they will read most of the talk, they will have enough familiarity with the material to make a real connection with the audience. They will also see how right Seth Godin is because some student will only read and the reading will not engage the students. As the class leader my hope is that students will get it as they hear it and not make those "reading" mistakes when it comes to their own presentations and speeches.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Seven Reasons I Hated Your Speech | Bulldog Reporter
I thought this was a pretty good article to share because it makes some points about the need for both adequate preparation and adequate though to both delivery and content. It might be a little harsh on the "I Hated" but that is probably what an audience member is thinking. I often say those same things to my Coker College students but usually in a much nicer tone.
Seven Reasons I Hated Your Speech | Bulldog Reporter
Seven Reasons I Hated Your Speech | Bulldog Reporter
Monday, April 25, 2011
So, why do they pay Speakers to Speak?
Ask just about any student who has had Puffer for Public Speaking what the number one rule is and you should hear -- Know the Audience.
Knowing the audience is really at the heart of a short discussion that http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifShttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifcott Berkun conducts in his book CONFESSIONS OF A PUBLIC SPEAKER (O'REILLY - 2009. The author discusses public speaking and particularly professional speaking from a story perspective that I found highly effective. He weaves a great many lessons into the personal and other examples he has developed. It is a rich read, especially for someone who has been doing a bit of public speaking. And, if you are one of those people, you will wonder about someday being paid to speak. The chapter title is "$30,000 and hour." But - read the book before you get too excited.
I like this idea that Berkun shared from page 33: "Even for private fu8nctions -- say, Google or Ferrari throws an annual event for their employees -- how much would it be worth to have a speaker who can make their staff a little smarter, better or more motivated when returning to work? Maybe it it's not worth $30,000 or even $5,000, but there is some economic value to what good speakers on the right topics do for people. it depends on how valuable the people in the room are to whoever is footing the bill. Even if it's just for entertainment, or for reminding the audience members of important things they've forgotten, a good speaker is worth something."
A speaker who understands that a major part of the job of speaking is knowing the audience and how to reach that audience is going to be worth money but even more importantly is going to be a speaker who is going to make a difference for those taking the time and making the effort to listen.
I was going to stop there but for what Scott Berkun might call a "gold coin" opportunity let me share with you what he says some speakers will making for an hour talk back in 2009: (page 32 & 33) Bill Clinton $150,000+; Katie Couric $100,000+; Malcolm Gladwell $80,000; Rachel Ray - $50,000. He had more examples but you might want to get his book to see the rest.
Knowing the audience is really at the heart of a short discussion that http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifShttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifcott Berkun conducts in his book CONFESSIONS OF A PUBLIC SPEAKER (O'REILLY - 2009. The author discusses public speaking and particularly professional speaking from a story perspective that I found highly effective. He weaves a great many lessons into the personal and other examples he has developed. It is a rich read, especially for someone who has been doing a bit of public speaking. And, if you are one of those people, you will wonder about someday being paid to speak. The chapter title is "$30,000 and hour." But - read the book before you get too excited.
I like this idea that Berkun shared from page 33: "Even for private fu8nctions -- say, Google or Ferrari throws an annual event for their employees -- how much would it be worth to have a speaker who can make their staff a little smarter, better or more motivated when returning to work? Maybe it it's not worth $30,000 or even $5,000, but there is some economic value to what good speakers on the right topics do for people. it depends on how valuable the people in the room are to whoever is footing the bill. Even if it's just for entertainment, or for reminding the audience members of important things they've forgotten, a good speaker is worth something."
A speaker who understands that a major part of the job of speaking is knowing the audience and how to reach that audience is going to be worth money but even more importantly is going to be a speaker who is going to make a difference for those taking the time and making the effort to listen.
I was going to stop there but for what Scott Berkun might call a "gold coin" opportunity let me share with you what he says some speakers will making for an hour talk back in 2009: (page 32 & 33) Bill Clinton $150,000+; Katie Couric $100,000+; Malcolm Gladwell $80,000; Rachel Ray - $50,000. He had more examples but you might want to get his book to see the rest.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Be careful of undermining your presentation
Ragan Communication is a communication training and communication resource firm that offers a great deal of information on all matter of communication challenges. In their feed this morning there was a post about four crucial mistakes for corporate speech presentations by Angela Definis of Definis Communications. I think you will want to go to the link for the full discussion but her four major areas were:
1 -- Not appearing prepared to speak
2 -- Not keeping listeners' needs in mind (my favorite)
3 -- Not keeping with conventional etiquette
4 -- Not using a "speaker" tone (my least favorite)
Despite how I might feel about any of those blunders, she has extensive experience in coaching presentations and her summary is well written. It would be worth the read.
In all my Coker College communication courses I am afraid I preach Know Your Audience, which is why Number 2 is my favorite. Knowing your audience does not mean saying only what they want to hear -- it means knowing how to put your message into a frame they will understand. Often speakers use their personal perspective and ignore the audience perspective. When that happens it makes the entire presentation not worth the effort, expense and energy.
1 -- Not appearing prepared to speak
2 -- Not keeping listeners' needs in mind (my favorite)
3 -- Not keeping with conventional etiquette
4 -- Not using a "speaker" tone (my least favorite)
Despite how I might feel about any of those blunders, she has extensive experience in coaching presentations and her summary is well written. It would be worth the read.
In all my Coker College communication courses I am afraid I preach Know Your Audience, which is why Number 2 is my favorite. Knowing your audience does not mean saying only what they want to hear -- it means knowing how to put your message into a frame they will understand. Often speakers use their personal perspective and ignore the audience perspective. When that happens it makes the entire presentation not worth the effort, expense and energy.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
One difference between acting and presenting
Recently I was reminded about one MAJOR difference between acting and presenting. When you are acting, you are portraying a character who is not you. When you are presenting it is YOU in front of the audience.
During a recent speech by a local politician on our Coker College campus, some of the theater folks were wondering what he was doing out shaking hands with the audience in a a jovial meet & greet posture. They were not sure that was a good strategy. They were certain it was not something they would do prior to going on stage in a role.
Important Distiction
That is an important distinction between a person making a public speech and a person taking on a role. The speech maker is standing before the audience and in that stance is saying, "This is me." When I am talking with people about ways to minimize some of the anxiety, fear or discomfort they feel about giving a speech I often suggest getting to know some of the audience members. When I am fortunate enough to be giving a presentation to a group I try hard to be at the location early enough so that I can say hello, meet some of the people and carry on some short, pleasant conversation. For one thing it helps me get to know who is in the audience and for another thing, it helps the audience get to know a 'me' as me and not as the "speaker."
Actors have the job of creating a character for their audience. Speakers have the job of conveying themselves to the audience. Meeting prior to the presentation is often a good strategy for paving the way for presentation success.
During a recent speech by a local politician on our Coker College campus, some of the theater folks were wondering what he was doing out shaking hands with the audience in a a jovial meet & greet posture. They were not sure that was a good strategy. They were certain it was not something they would do prior to going on stage in a role.
Important Distiction
That is an important distinction between a person making a public speech and a person taking on a role. The speech maker is standing before the audience and in that stance is saying, "This is me." When I am talking with people about ways to minimize some of the anxiety, fear or discomfort they feel about giving a speech I often suggest getting to know some of the audience members. When I am fortunate enough to be giving a presentation to a group I try hard to be at the location early enough so that I can say hello, meet some of the people and carry on some short, pleasant conversation. For one thing it helps me get to know who is in the audience and for another thing, it helps the audience get to know a 'me' as me and not as the "speaker."
Actors have the job of creating a character for their audience. Speakers have the job of conveying themselves to the audience. Meeting prior to the presentation is often a good strategy for paving the way for presentation success.
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