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.