Presentation Feedback, Round 1!

Well done to all eight presenters this afternoon who were successful with their presentations.

I enjoyed the variety of subjects and well structured deliveries today: HIV, Melanoma, ALS, PTSD, Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Alcoholism.

I asked all presenters to self reflect on their performance, (positive and areas for improvement) and for them to provide feedback on one other learner. This worked very well and then I provided detailed feedback too.

It was clear that the presenters found the assessment session of great benefit and they were even heard to say they enjoyed the experience. Who knew?

What helped the session to run smoothly and efficiently, was that everybody was prepared. What was impressive for me, was the depth of research, the q and a session, enthusiasm and most crucially, how well structured the talks were. A great start to this round of assessments.

Those students who presented today, why don't you pop a few words down in the comments box below? It would be nice to hear your thoughts now you've had time to reflect on your performance. You know you want to...

Well done and I look forward to next Thursday. If you are delivering on 6th December and haven't e mailed me your talk yet, please do so by Tuesday latest please.

Cheers,

Mark

'We must never let the NHS free from our grasp': Harry Leslie Smith's powerful 2014 speech

Below is a truly incredible and powerful speech delivered by the late Harry Leslie Smith. Political commentary aside, please have a look at this. It is a shortened version of the full talk, which can be located easily with a simple search.

His obituary can be read here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/nov/28/harry-leslie-smith-obituary

Link to his amazing talk here: Hands off the NHS

Sometimes a dog can be better for a patient than hospital

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/commentisfree/2018/nov/21/sometimes-a-dog-can-be-better-for-a-patient-than-hospital

Hello all,

Above is a curious article I was reading in The Guardian, and it really does resonate.

I will let you read the piece and you can let me know what you think. I enjoyed the writing and the focus here. Whether a pet can be better than hospital is questionable, but the sentiment rings true.

In the meantime, here are a few pics of my cat who is called Jet. One from my old flat and the other in my new one, which is aptly called Academia. An Air B and B guest bought me that sign which is rather cool! Life sure is a balancing act is seems.

Have a great weekend all.

Mark

Children under 10 among those given strong antidepressants in UK

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/nov/21/children-under-10-among-those-given-strong-antidepressants-in-uk

Children aged 10 and under are among hundreds of young people being given strong antidepressant drugs – in breach of official guidance – that increase the risk of suicide, the Guardian can reveal. The article above certainly shocked me. I wonder what your thoughts are?

Mark 

A reminder of the criteria for the presentation assessment

Hi all,


Just a quick reminder of the criteria you will be marked against for the assessed presentation starting next Thursday.


The criteria are:

• Present complex information and supporting detail accurately
• Use structure and delivery which makes clear links between different ideas presented
• Use register, style and tone at an appropriate level of formality for purpose and audience
• Make effective use of non-verbal communication
• Respond to others in ways which promote and develop communication

Always be thinking formally, remember to maintain good eye contact, have good posture, remember the importance of your pace and choice of vocabulary.


The question and answer session is still part of the assessment.


The time allocation is a minimum of five minutes plus additional time for questions.


All the talks are looking good in their various forms at present, so keep up the solid research and I will speak with everybody one to one on Thursday. For the members of the class who are up to date and have sent their slides over, they can work on materials for other Units.


We will meet at 13:50 as always and if you need to use the PCs, I have booked some out in the Library for you again from 2pm.


All the best,


Mark

I'm A Celeb's Anne Hegerty opens up about Asperger's

https://bbc.in/2QYHs2k

This is link to an article which has been very positive in terms of awareness raising for Asperger’s.

I watched this last night and thought it was pretty powerful, yet understated.

I’m not an avid fan of the show per se, but the article is well worth a look.

See you all on Thursday.

Mark

Presentation Preparation Overview

Hi all,

I have spoken with everybody now and I can see that the research, structure, analytical content, visual elements etc. are all taking great shape.

I have enjoyed engaging with the variety of different topic choices too, so well done everybody.

When you have finished your slides, (if you are using PowerPoint), please e mail them over to me so I can save them onto my own memory stick.

On the day of your presentation, please have a copy of your slides as a minimum for your folder. Any cue cards, notes etc. can also go into your individual folders that I already have.

If you have handouts, please think about the number of people in the audience (including me!)

You will be authorised for my class on the days that you are not being assessed and we will have a final class of the year where everybody attends on Thursday 20th December.

It is my intention to reflect on the presentations you delivered and will be a great interactive session where we can all share our learning. Anybody who didn't present their talk on their allocated assessment date will do so in the second half of the class on 20/12. That is to say, hopefully all of you will be able to finish up early in that class! Fingers crossed.

I have been impressed with the work ethic from all members of the class regarding this assessment process and you have all engaged well and proactively, so well done again.

Have a great weekend and please do look at the Pierson and Jones presentations ("Every kid needs a champion" and "A Tribute to Nurses" respectively) which are on the blog. For those who have already done so, please jot a few comments down for some reflection.

All the best and see you all on Thursday 22nd November for the final preparatory session.

Mark

Call for UK ban on 'grotesquely sugary' freakshakes

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46179175

Above is a link to an interesting article, concerning the campaign group 'Action on Sugar'. They are demanding a ban on freakshakes and all milkshakes with more than 300 calories.

I have never come across the term "freakshake" before, but the headline piqued my interest.

So what do you think?

Comments below as always please.

Mark

A tribute to Nurses (TED)

This is well worth a look. As we know, Nurses rock, right?

Carolyn Jones spent five years interviewing, photographing and filming nurses across America, traveling to places dealing with some of the nation's biggest public health issues. She shares personal stories of unwavering dedication in this celebration of the everyday heroes who work at the front lines of health care.

A different style of delivery to those of Pausch and Pieterson, but very powerful in a calming way. 

I look forward to your comments on this talk in terms of content, delivery and how she contextualises the information. Note also the carefully crafted structure, in particular the start and the end where she shares some very personal commentary. 

Wonderful.

NHS outpatients service 'stuck in the 18th Century' leading doctors say

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46142276

This is an interesting article which might pique your interest.

Do you agree with the comments of Dr. Toby Hillman of The Royal College of Physicians?

Let me know in the comments section below.

Mark

Assessment times / preparation

Hello everybody,


I really enjoyed working with you all today and can see that everybody’s talks are coming along very nicely indeed, well done. It’s clear that you’re all working well with Alan in the ICT Unit too which is reaping rewards for sure.


You also decided on the dates for your assessed talks which was pleasantly straightforward and hassle free for all!


Here they are:


29th November - Jamielee, Margo, Myra, Nicolle, James, Jordan, Gillian, Kat


6th December - Denise, Debbie, Shona, Becky Marshall, Aaron, Kelly, Lauren, Michelle


13th December - Sharon, Michaela, Lorraine R, Lorraine M, Charlene, Becca McAuslan, Simbi, Helen, Clare


I look forward to hearing them and see you all next week.


Well done and have a great weekend.


Mark

Credible resources help

Hello all,

Here are a few links to some reliable web links which might be of interest to you for the presentation. I had posted these prior to the discussion assessment but thought they could be of use to you as you are involved in research at the moment. I have also popped a couple of supplementary links on presentation skills delivery and PowerPoint use in the top right corner of the blog for you. 

https://search.credoreference.com/

http://www.oxfordreference.com/

https://idebate.org/debatabase

https://nhsnss.org/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/

NCLAN has invested in some excellent online resources. To locate them, you should:

Click on Moodle

My Library

Go to Resources

Go to online resources

 Scroll down to ‘Issues Online’

Another inspiring talk to watch at your leisure - "Every kid needs a champion"

Above is a link to a lovely presentation from a presenter and educator I have used in various classes before, the late Rita Pierson.


Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like". A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

This is a  mantra I have always tried to follow in my own teaching and learning philosophy and was something I was commended for in my own Post Graduate assessments at University which pleased me. Learners need to feel a sense of connection and trust with their lecturers. And crucially, in my opinion, have a voice that is allowed to be heard. That is one of the areas of your group's learning which I feel is getting better and better all the time, which of course helps develop confidence.


Now, I feel that I must make a small disclaimer here. This is the second talk I have placed on our blog and sadly both amazing communicators and teachers have now passed away. This isn't a theme I am following, it is merely tragic coincidence.


I feel her obituary tells us a great deal about her amazing life.


https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=165784768


I look forward to your comments on her talk. The tone is different from Randy Pausch, the delivery is different, but the sentiments and points made draw similar parallels.

What did you like / dislike about Rita’s presentation style?


All the best,


Mark

Firework packaging should show graphic injuries, doctors say

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46071940

Above is a link concerning the subject of fireworks, from the perspective of surgeons.

Plastic surgeons say the number of life-changing injuries is rising every year despite numerous safety campaigns.

They believe shocking images, like the one they have mocked up using a man's severely damaged hand, might deter buyers.

Half of those seen in hospital last year were aged 18 or under, and 80% were male.

If you are attending a display or having one of your own, please be safe.

I look forward to your comments below.

All the best,

Mark

Assessed Presentation - Frequently Asked Questions!

Hello everybody,

Here are some FAQs that I often receive regarding oral presentations. I hope they help. If you have any questions in addition to these, please e mail me and I will add them into the mixer.

The presentation topics are all coming along nicely and I am looking forward to learning lots of new things.

Q. Do I have to print off slides?
A. Yes, I will require these and any cue cards, notes etc. for your folder to be retained as evidence for other assessors should they need to look at them. What could go wrong on the day? The data projector and / or PC might not be working (very unlikely but possible) but you should always consider a back-up strategy. Slides and handouts are always helpful for any audience member. 

Q. Do I have to e mail Mark my slides?
A. I’d like to look at them before I save them onto my memory stick. This will save any unnecessary logging into your e mails, One Drive accounts and such on the day. Preparation is very much the watchword here and fluidity.

Q. What is the running order on the day?
A. I will leave that up to you, I don't want to interfere too much with the presentation process. We will organise who is presenting when in the class on Thursday 8th November. 

Q. Will I get questions after my talk and from whom?
A. Everybody will get questions based on what they have talked about in their presentation. The questions can be from Mark and / or the students in the respective assessments. Students are likely to ask different questions to the assessor in this instance as they are subject specialists. 

Q. Do I need to dress formally?
A. No, but don't wear flip flops, caps, sunglasses and the like as this is a formal body of serious work. 

Q. Will we get feedback after?
A. Yes, of course, as always! You will reflect on YOUR performance, you will reflect on ONE of your peers and I will feedback giving the result, which hopefully will be a pass. The feedback will happen after everybody has delivered their talk.

Q. Do you have to use PowerPoint?
A. No, there is no mandatory requirement in the assessment to use PP, but as you are working with Alan in the IT Unit and have some experience of doing so, the rewards could be positive. Remember, visuals anchor the spoken word and can come in many different varieties as discussed in the last two classes: videos, handouts, appropriate props, photos etc.

Q. Do I need to include references on my slides if I decide to use PP?
A. Oh yes, most definitely. Presentations are likely to include pretty much the following structure: Title slide (name of subject, your name, date, an appropriate image), then a slide telling the audience what you will talk about (could be called structure, presentation order, outline of talk, contents etc.), then all your findings, a conclusion slide with bullet points of what you have discussed, a slide with all your sources / references and finally a slide asking for questions. 

Prezi info - an alternative visual experience!

So Prezi, no, not THAT American President, but Prezi, the innovative presentation tool!

If anybody fancies doing something a little different from PowerPoint, there's a programme called Prezi which opens up similar, yet different, possibilities for anchoring the spoken word.

I've popped a link to Prezi below for you to look at should you be interested.

The same rules apply, structure is key. Always remember that.

Link to a Prezi tutorial: https://youtu.be/2zFep1jL92g


Link to Prezi and how it works: https://prezi.com/


Remember, the visuals ANCHOR what you are saying. The programme doesn't present it for you!


See you all again on Thursday and if you have a laptop or similar, please bring it in to the next three Communication classes. I have booked 16 PCs for you and we can organise where, what the passwords are etc. at the class on Thursday at 13:50.

All the best and have a lovely weekend,


Mark