TATL #8: Presenter Tips (How to have a successful presentation at a conference)

Summary of Main Content:

Emily’s first experience: 2012 pair presentation: “Teaching students when you look like one” with Cara Gallardo. She was very nervous because she’s teaching peers, not students.

Roger’s first experience: 1995 group presentation and he spoke for 10 minutes. Felt very scared.

Tips:

1) Preparation

Technology: be prepared for any tech issues especially if you plan to use PPT or video. Have copies of it: put on USB stick, email it to yourself, upload to a website. Print out the PPT for yourself and for the audience. Number the slides and put the approximate timing so that you can keep track where you should be during the presentation.

Practice Practice! You can take notes of how to improve and keep yourself on schedule. This leaves a great impression on the audience and makes you memorable.

Business cards: Bring and share.

Sound: Prepare some light music to play at the beginning or end of presentation. Bring small speakers and extra cables.


2) During your talk -

Right Before:

Ask questions at the beginning to gauge your audience’s interest and also reflect on whether some slides of your presentation need more or less time.

Scan the audience to see what kind of people are around.

Breathe and calm down.

During:

If audience has questions, repeat their questions loudly so the rest of the audience can hear.

Handout: don’t pass out while talking. (too distracting!) Don’t make it too long and not explain what’s in it. Choose specific activities and main points to highlight during presentation. Audience may never look at it again if they don’t find the handout meaningful.

Right at the End:

End presentation with a “homework assignment” by asking them to reflect on or try something.

Ask audience to share their input.


What's In My Bag?

Emily: “Shadow of the Hegemon” by Orson Scott Card (http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Hegemon-The-Series/dp/0812565959)

Roger: Acoustic Earplugs. "Dubs" (acoustic filter) http://www.getdubs.com/