Overview
This resource aims to equip you with the tools necessary to develop students' communication skills, especially in presentations, which are essential for success in today's environment. It covers assignment creation, instruction, and assessment for both short and long presentations, fostering students' ability to articulate ideas, build confidence, and enhance career readiness.
Assignments
Presentation assignments can vary significantly depending on the course, topic, and professor. There is no single perfect speaking assignment; rather, faculty should approach these assignments similarly to how they would a writing assignment or project. The key is to ensure that the assignment assesses specific outcomes related to the course. Here are a few questions to consider when planning a speaking assignment:
- What are the learning objectives for this assignment? How does it help teach students or assess their learning?
- How will the presentation format support these objectives?
- What criteria will be used to evaluate the students' presentations? Am I evaluating topic knowledge, presentation skills, or research ability?
- How can the assignment be structured to encourage student engagement and creativity?
- What outcomes will I assess? Are you looking for knowledge about the topic, presentation skills, and/or the ability to conduct research?
- How much do students already know about public speaking, and how much instruction will I provide?
- How much class time is available for presentations? Should students present in class or upload video speeches online? (Consider Panopto for video submissions).
- Should students create visual aids (slides, charts, samples)? Consider use of Adobe Express.
- Do I require a written outline or sources?
Once you have a clear understanding of your presentation objectives, it is beneficial to provide detailed instructions in the assignment. This ensures that students know precisely how to prepare and where to concentrate their efforts.
Instruction
Assessing students' prior experience and instruction in public speaking can be challenging. Many students face difficulties with speech organization, visual aid creation, delivery, and managing anxiety. To better understand their comfort level, consider administering a brief survey or assigning a one-minute reflection paper. Providing students with access to relevant resources is essential in helping them develop their presentation skills and confidence. Students can review the article Presentation Tips For Students – Show And Tell Like A Pro!
Assessment
The assessment of presentations should align with the objectives of the assignment and the intended learning outcomes. Common presentation evaluation criteria include:
- Clarity, accuracy, and appropriateness of information
- Organization and coherence
- Delivery and engagement
- Effectiveness of visual aids
- Quality of outlines and sources provided
Regardless of the chosen evaluation method, maintaining consistency is essential. Utilizing a rubric ensures uniform assessment criteria, provides students with clear feedback on strengths and areas for improvement, and serves as a valuable guide when shared in advance to support speech development.
Sample UTSA Rubrics:
Resources
For more, review these additional resources:
Support
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