All 3 entries tagged Bev

Final Entry on Effective Seminar Participation

Original Action Points:

1. To remember not to allow my body to move too much when delivering presentations i.e. stop myself from swaying as this can communicate insecurity.
2. To be definite in my presentation of information and questioning. Not be backed down to interruption or question my right to speak.
3. To end clearly and present alternatives to the cliche 'are there any questions?' For example, 'I'm sure you have plenty you would like to contribute and I would be happy to hear this now.'

After finishing a busy second term, I've now had some time to reflect on the many seminar presentations I have been involved with. My delivery has continued to improve as demonstrated from feedback, which highlights the fluent and clear presentation of my material. Plus, I continue to make more of an effort to actively contribute to discussions, although this can sometimes be hard at the end of a long day.

Another lesson learned was the importance of a clear ending and I will continue to make conscious efforts to demonstrate this in my future seminar presentations. In future, I will also try to maintain a body language that portrays confidence, whilst also not being too static. I will continue to remain diplomatic in my choice of words and avoid falling back on phrases that could appear to question my right to speak, such as “I’m sorry but could you…”

I’m usually quite comfortable projecting my voice, but will remember to use pitch, pace and power (rhythm) to keep listeners engaged and portray my enthusiasm for the subject. I have found it much easier to do this by not scripting myself strictly, to avoid sounding like I am reading something out word for word. Instead, by learning the order of key points I want to get across, it allows my spoken language to remain more natural, aiding a fluent presentation style and also means I do not have to rely on notes.

Overall, this workshop helped to consolidate a lot of theory that was already familiar to me but was presented in an interesting and fresh approach that emphasised the importance of speech and posture. The key points I will take with me into future seminars include, a good posture, clear and definite delivery and remember to take responsibility for being active to engage and communicate confidence.     

Dafydd Davies : 05 May 2012 14:19 |  Tags: Bev P5 Portfolio Walshe Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow up on Effective Seminar Participation

Here's a summary of how I've been getting on with my action points

1. To remember not to allow my body to move too much when delivering presentations i.e. to stop myself from swaying as this can communicate insecurity.

The start of this term has been very busy, involving many seminar presentations, the majority of which have been a group effort. Nonetheless, my confidence in conducting myself during presentations has increased and I have found myself making less of a conscious effort to stop myself from swaying. I believe this has been reflected in the feedback I have received which explains I demonstrate a confident presentation of material.

2. To be definite in my presentation of information and questioning. Not be back down to interruption or question my right to speak.

Again the feedback from my presentations have been positive. Sometimes questioning during the presentation is encouraged and I believe I have handled this appropriately and swiftly so as not to distract from the material I'm presenting. On the other hand, I believe I could still improve my contribution to questions and discussions at the end of presentations even if to confirm my understanding as I know this can be of benefit to others as well.

3. To end clearly and present alternatives to the cliche 'are there any questions?' For example, 'I'm sure you have plenty you would like to contribute and I would be happy to hear this now.'

At the end of my presentations I have continued to make an effort to end clearly, and this point was also recently raised by a tutor in our general feedback. He explained the importance of "standing up, speaking up and then shutting up." Stressing the importance of a clear finish to a presentation to remain professional.

Dafydd Davies : 16 Feb 2012 15:21 |  Tags: Bev P5 Portfolio Walshe Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

First Entry on Effective Seminar Participation

Workshop tutor: Bev Walshe

Date: 31-Oct-2011

Introduction

This workshop encompassed 3 main areas:

1. Body Language
2. Confidence
3. Language

From the beginning of the workshop the tutor highlighted the importance of our body language and the messages it sends out to others both consciously and subconsciously. This is the 'first impression' and to maximise the perception of confidence to others we should:

1. Stand or sit up straight but not stiff with relaxed and ready to use arms and hands in order to gesture and liven your language, making you more engaging.
2. Smile and make eye contact - fundamental.
3. Try not to sway and move your body too much as this communicates insecurity - so sit back in your chair and hold a good posture.

From body language, you can then build on the communication of confidence. You must take responsibility and be active to encourage confidence:

1. Engage with the 'strangers' you are going to be working with.
2. Do not be afraid to make eye contact and maintain it, for example being interrupted and dropping eye contact effectively 'hands over' control to the person who interrupted you.
3. Breathe using the whole of your chest which will allow you to speak clearly, slowly and project your voice more effectively.

The final area of interest is language and its comprehension and delivery - the way you say it. Use simple, direct language and deliver with a strong, clear projection. The volume should not drop at the end of sentences and the use of pitch, pace and power (rhythm) should be used to engage the listener. Do not make your listener work to understand you and to deliver effectively both in presentation and questioning:

1. Avoid using words that question your right to speak - i.e. 'I'm sorry but...' 'I'm probably being...'
2. Be definite - i.e. 'Could you clarify...' 'Would you repeat/go through...'
3. Think about the language you use to make a point or comment, remain diplomatic - i.e. 'In my view...' 'An alternative view...'
4. Be clear when you end - don't shrug, be definite and just stop.

The points raised were then combined into an exercise at the end of the workshop where we participated in an informal seminar involving each person presenting information on a different aspect of 'effective seminar participation' - relating it to interesting life experiences. We were split so each person had the chance to participate as an 'observer' in order to see the effects the tutors comments had on improving and highlighting the individual strengths and weaknesses in our communication.

Key points to remember:

• Good posture
• Positive voice
• Clear delivery

Actions Points:

1. To remember not to allow my body to move too much when delivering presentations i.e. to stop myself from swaying as this can communicate insecurity.
2. To be definite in my presentation of information and questioning. Not be back down to interruption or question my right to speak.
3. To end clearly and present alternatives to the cliche 'are there any questions?' For example, 'I'm sure you have plenty you would like to contribute and I would be happy to hear this now.'
   

Dafydd Davies : 10 Nov 2011 19:13 |  Tags: Bev P5 Portfolio Walshe Wspa |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem