A good technique for presentations

[tb1223]

I'm a college student, and I'm currently taking a class in which there are several important presentations. My professor and I worked out a pretty neat arrangement, I encourage everyone to try it. For all my presentations, I record them on my computer beforehand using a microphone and the "Sound Recorder" application that comes with all PCs. I'm able to pause the recording and edit over it, so I can take my time and try each sentence as many times as I need to. It takes a little patience, but the end result is amazing. I can then insert the sound file into my Powerpoint slide show. For the actual presentation, I get up and say something like, "Hello everyone. I will be presenting about such-and-such. Just to try a little experiment, I pre-recorded this presentation. I'll go ahead and play the tape, and feel free to ask questions at the end." I then simply hit play, and smile and try to look confident while the recording plays. I did this for the first time last week, and it worked great. It felt so good to not have any anxiety about a presentation for once. I think I'm going to try to do this for all my presentations from now on.

[Count]

I'm a college student, and I'm currently taking a class in which there are several important presentations. My professor and I worked out a pretty neat arrangement, I encourage everyone to try it. For all my presentations, I record them on my computer beforehand using a microphone and the "Sound Recorder" application that comes with all PCs. I'm able to pause the recording and edit over it, so I can take my time and try each sentence as many times as I need to. It takes a little patience, but the end result is amazing. I can then insert the sound file into my Powerpoint slide show. For the actual presentation, I get up and say something like, "Hello everyone. I will be presenting about such-and-such. Just to try a little experiment, I pre-recorded this presentation. I'll go ahead and play the tape, and feel free to ask questions at the end." I then simply hit play, and smile and try to look confident while the recording plays. I did this for the first time last week, and it worked great. It felt so good to not have any anxiety about a presentation for once. I think I'm going to try to do this for all my presentations from now on.



WTF... You make your presentations at home and then let the recorder run during the real thing?

[tb1223]

That is correct.

[Count]

That is correct.


Well, I didn't know it is allowed, but it sounds great. My only chance to make fluent presentations is getting a device or use a technique like yours.

[tb1223]

I do not blame you for materializing such deal with the professor. I do not even blame the professor for agreeing. On the other hand, I would never allow myself to engage in such practice as either a student or a faculty member. I have commanded units of up to 350 Soldiers; what I cannot grant to all I do not grant to any . . . I only do for one what I am morally, ethically, and professionally obligated to give to each and every Soldier. That gives you an unfair advantage over the rest of the students. I know exactly what you, and some others on the forum members will respond "But I am a PWS, I need ALL the assistance I can get". Help yourself first before asking for extrinsic help. If the professor allows you to do it he/she is required to allow EVERY student in the classroom to do so as well.

Are people in wheelchairs allowed to rig it with a turbo boost to participate in a marathon? No, because that would also be an unfair advantage. What is more plausible is that your professor grades you with higher level of tolerance due to your speech impediment. That levels the playing field, motivates you to work harder, and does not upset the classroom climate.

The thing is that, for this particular presentation, there was a strict time limit of 5 minutes. If I didn't record it beforehand, I doubt I would be able to get more than about a quarter of the information across in that time. The point of the presentation was to communicate the information in the allotted time, and that's what I did. I really don't think it gives me an unfair advantage; if anything, I have to spend MORE time preparing, since I ended up having to record each sentence at least 10-15 times before getting it right. It took me over an hour to record 5 minutes of material.

Also, it was the professor's suggestion, not mine. I did not ask for special treatment.

[ekwensu]

yeah i did the same thing too. but that was in highschool. i am thinkng about doing it again while in college

[Vermillion]

I would never do that. It would be embarrassing to just stand there with a dumb smile on your face, while the whole class is listening to a recording of you. People would be wondering "what the hell is wrong with that guy?"

[BenLZ]

I did something like that last year, it really depends how bad your speech is. I've done presentations verbally, but they're usually pretty difficult, but sometimes I can get into rhythms and say a few words fluently.

[peebee]

AGOFCR, I understand your argument in a military sense, but academically it is very wrong. There's a reason all Universities and Colleges have disability centers and make exceptions/alternative arrangements for students. I have a learning disability, when I take IQ tests in some areas I fall under retardation levels(< 10th percentile), but others I'm in the 98+ percentile. You're telling me because I have a learning disability and my brain can't process certain information that I shouldn't be treated differently then other students? I know someone who is extremely smart, as in he doesn't study at all and gets straight A's without trying one bit-- he has a photographic memory and is also dyslexic. If he was tested on regurgitating a textbook he would automatically fail.

Colleges know and understand these situations and exceptions are made for many students. The problem with stuttering is it's not classified as a disability. Professors do however know that there are a lot of students who are terrible at giving presentations whether it be from anxiety, panic attacks, stuttering etc... and they usually make exceptions unless their assholes.

[tb1223]

I would never do that. It would be embarrassing to just stand there with a dumb smile on your face, while the whole class is listening to a recording of you. People would be wondering "what the hell is wrong with that guy?"

Everyone in the class knows each other pretty well, so in this case it wasn't that awkward. But I do see what you're saying, I would be much more hesitant to do it for a bunch of strangers.

AGOFCR, I understand your argument in a military sense, but academically it is very wrong. There's a reason all Universities and Colleges have disability centers and make exceptions/alternative arrangements for students. I have a learning disability, when I take IQ tests in some areas I fall under retardation levels(< 10th percentile), but others I'm in the 98+ percentile. You're telling me because I have a learning disability and my brain can't process certain information that I shouldn't be treated differently then other students? I know someone who is extremely smart, as in he doesn't study at all and gets straight A's without trying one bit-- he has a photographic memory and is also dyslexic. If he was tested on regurgitating a textbook he would automatically fail.

Colleges know and understand these situations and exceptions are made for many students. The problem with stuttering is it's not classified as a disability. Professors do however know that there are a lot of students who are terrible at giving presentations whether it be from anxiety, panic attacks, stuttering etc... and they usually make exceptions unless their assholes.

Stuttering can be classified as a disability. I've actually met with the disability center at my school and gotten official paperwork that says I have a disability. It essentially gives professors the legal right to treat me differently from other students if necessary. This is the first time I've actually exercised that right though.

[Tmd]

on the flip side of it being fair to the other students, they have an advantage being the non-stutters they are which could be an unfair advantage to them over you. its hard to say, it would be much easier if we did not stutter at all. *sigh*

thats what scared the shit out of me going to school was the required speech class where you just give tons of oral presentations. Had friends drop out that had prefect speech because they just could not do it.

[thatCALIdude]

interesting, never tried that before.

[Count]

If I and many other PWS Soldiers can do it so can many others whether or not they are in the armed forces. I am not special, spectacular, or unique. I am a PWS just as everyone else on this forum. The only trait I have exploited that separates me from many others can be summed up in one simple word: ATTITUDE!


You're military speeches on this forum make me believe that you look like the drill sergeant in "Full Metal Jacket". lol

[peebee]

Does tb1223 have a learning disability commensurate to yours? Or, are you presuming he does? Is that just because he is a PWS that you make such assumption? You might (heighten emphasis in "might") have a valid reason for "special accommodations"; however, not all PWS have, deserve, or desire needs for special accommodations.

Perhaps you are right; my theory probably applies only to the military. But being a career Soldier for over 24 years I am accustomed to dealing with highly motivated service members who go against the odds, always bet on themselves, are highly motivated, and possess the drive and determination to face adversity (on and off the battlefield) even if the odds are against them . . . And yes, there are plenty PWS in the Army. In the Army I have met JAG officers, Medical Doctors, Chaplains, senior NCOs, junior troops, and everything in between who are PWS. Their dysfunction ranges from mild to severe. The Army is a reflection of society; everything you find in your hometown you will find in the Army . . . and I mean everything.

If I and many other PWS Soldiers can do it so can many others whether or not they are in the armed forces. I am not special, spectacular, or unique. I am a PWS just as everyone else on this forum. The only trait I have exploited that separates me from many others can be summed up in one simple word: ATTITUDE!

Hey mate, while I agree wholeheartedly about your view of PWS, I was just simply pointing out the fact that in academia, they are REQUIRED to treat people differently, whereas in the army they are REQUIRED to treat people the same. I really do agree with your approach to stuttering, and to see you tell stories like that is really motivating for me =)

Cheers

[Jaykon]

what happens when you hit the working world and your called to do a presentation or speak up at a meeting?

[purpleocean]

would be pretty funny if you could record the whole presentation and then lip sync it without anyone realising :p