Presentations and Group Work

Study Skills Workshops 2015

Session outline• Interpersonal skills

• Giving presentations– Considering the audience– Being prepared– Structuring your presentation– Confident delivery– Communications skills

• Group work– Working effectively with others– Strategies for managing groups

Interpersonal Skills

Discussion questions – 5 minutes• Make a list of all of the different

scenarios at university that require use of interpersonal skills

• Why are students asked to give presentations?

• Why are students asked to work in groups?

Giving Presentations

• What makes a presentation ‘good’?

• What will the tutors be assessing?- ability to summarise key information- ability to structure an ‘argument’- quality of preparation and delivery- use of supporting visuals

Consider Your Audience

• Purpose?

• Aims?

• Audience?

• Length?

Effective communication• Never assume knowledge • Give an overview – introduction• Make sure your presentation is structured• Check understanding & make sure your

audience are still engaged – check body language

• Be aware of the language you are using • Be flexible and adaptable, use a variety of

media if possible and re-cap.• Be enthusiastic!

Being Prepared

• Get your ideas down – mind maps, lists, diagrams

• Structure - Introduction, main content, conclusion, references

• Visual aids – power point, handouts

• Prepare prompt cards

• Rehearse

Structuring Your Presentation

• Title

• Introduction

• Main Body

• Conclusion

• Questions

Overcoming Nerves

Often, students spend so much time worrying about the presentation, they leave little time to prepare what to say!

- Preparation and rehearsals help- Arrive early- Check out the room first- Take water with you- Act confident!- Reflect & evaluate

Giving the talk

• Non-verbal communication• Speak more slowly and loudly than you

normally would• Don’t apologise for anything you think could be

better• Look up and make eye contact to break down

audience into individuals• Use pauses to get your

breath back!

Group Work

Discussion- Identify one occasion when you were in a

group that worked well. What made the group successful?

• http://www.learnhighergroupwork.com/episodes.php

Creating a TeamWhat practical steps can be taken to ensure effective group working?

1. Have a positive attitude2. Get to know your team – identify strengths3. Create a productive environment4. Ground rules5. Group working practices6. Decide on roles within the group7. Check understanding of the task8. Establish goals9. Share contact details10.Agree meeting dates

Resources

• ASK website advice on presentations & group work– student.brighton.ac.uk/ask

• Learn Higher Resources– http://www.brunel.ac.uk/learnhigher/giving-oral-

presentations/– http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/groupwork//

index.php