know .” another appropriate response H u m a n i t i e s

know .” another appropriate response H u m a n i t i e s

Answers to Questions and Follow-up Comments Due: 10:00 p.m., Monday, April 19.

Throughout your course of study and in the workplace, you will often report your research findings to others, whether it be in the classroom, at a conference, or before a board of directors or managers. Such presentations provide you with the opportunity to present the information you have learned while composing your research paper. During the course of this project, you have become an authority on your subject, and it is now your privilege to share you knowledge with your peers.

Be aware that THIS IS NOT A SPEECH. This is a presentation of findings: You are reporting to others what you have learned about your subject through your research. What you choose to share and how you choose to do this is entirely up to you. However, your presentation will be eight minutes long (going under or over will affect presentation grade negatively).

Format:

You can record a video of your presentation and save it as an MP4 file. You can also create a Power Point presentation, with audio added to each slide (saved as either a Power Point presentation or an MP4 file). If you have a YouTube account, you can post a link to a video (just remember to set your presentation as “Unlisted” so only those who have the link can access it and to review YouTube‘s privacy policy.). Once you’ve finished putting your presentation together, you will post it to the Presentation Forum in the Week 6 block (I will create forum groups based on topics and interests).

Be aware that the maximum file size you can upload to this forum is 4GB. So, if your attempts to upload your file to Moodle are unsuccessful, check your file’s properties for size and file type. You may have to adjust image properties, compress video, and so on. If you must divide your presentation into parts so that you can upload your work, be aware that I have set the forums to accept up to two attachments only. In the past, some students have had difficulty uploading videos to Moodle ISU due to weak internet connections or large files: Please, especially if you’re attempting to upload a video recording, don’t wait until the last minute, just in case you experience these difficulties. Remember, too, that the TigerTracks Help Desk (282-HELP) can help you.

You are required to “attend” (view and listen to) each of your group member’s presentations and provide them with comments and questions (failing to post questions will result in a reduction in your presentation’s grade). In turn, presenters will answer classmates’ questions.

Structure and Planning

You need to have a very clear structure to your presentation so that your audience can understand your discussion and see how your research synthesis is progressing (or will progress). A good general plan might be broken down like this:

  • 10%-20% introduction
  • 60%-80% main body of presentation
  • 10%-20% conclusion.

Provide your peers with an idea of what kinds of research you have discovered, any areas within this subject that have been under-researched (or over-researched), any sources that will be particularly valuable to your research synthesis, and anything else that you can think of. Remember—this is just an overview of your research findings and not your essay.

You will find it especially helpful to revisit Chapter 4: Do not organize your presentation by source; your presentation should be organized by idea.

Addressing Questions:

You will be expected to take questions from your audience. If you have prepared properly and know the subject, this will not present any problems for you; however, if you are asked a question that you don’t know the answer to, the correct response is “I’m sorry, I don’t know.” Another appropriate response is “That is an interesting question, but I am unable to answer it. That would be an interesting topic for further research.” You should never waffle when you don’t know the answer—time is short, and no one wants to have it wasted by waffling. There is absolutely no shame in saying that you don’t know the answer to a question.

Similarly, if someone asks a question that does not seem to be related to your presentation, it is perfectly acceptable to say, “I’m sorry, but I can’t see how your question is concerned with this subject.” Of course, you should not be rude to your audience, but at the same time, you should not be expected to answer irrelevant questions.

Asking Questions and Making Comments:

Asking each researcher questions will not only assist them as they organize and compose their research synthesis, but it will help you to further strengthen your critical thinking skills. As a result, you and your fourth essay (and future essays) will benefit from this experience.

You will be expected to post comments and questions to each presenter: This active participation will be factored into your overall presentation grade.