Lesson Plan: Presentation

Rationale:

Oral communication is a highly valuable skill that is becoming lost in a world of emails, texts, and tweets. There is a new generation of youngsters and young adults for whom speaking-discussion, or a group presentation is frightening. If it is true that “practice makes perfect,” then it is no wonder that students may find themselves dreading speaking in a formal setting, there are fewer and fewer opportunities to practice. Effective presentation skills foster student learning by establishing clear communication and helping students to engage in the learning process. While it might begin for a presentation, practicing public speaking will carry over to important life experiences and help students build self-confidence, poise, and learn to communicate effectively in a variety of settings.

Goal:

The student will be able to select a topic, create a presentation that will provide information on that topic, and deliver the presentation to others in an interesting, informative and engaging way.

Objectives:

Academic Content:

(This will be provided in the curriculum of the section that you are teaching.)

  1. Select an appropriate topic.
  2. Narrow the topic so that it can be comfortably delivered in the allotted time.
  3. Create an outline of the important points to be covered.
  4. Create visual aids, when appropriate, to enhance the understanding of the topic.
  5. Present the information clearly.
  6. Check for understanding.

Presentation Skills:

  1. Identify the elements that will be used to deliver the information including, demonstration, visual aids, technology, etc.
  2. Identify a plan for connecting with the audience including the use of questions, anecdotes, humor, etc.
  3. Practice speaking clearly and loudly enough to be heard by everyone.
  4. Engage the audience with opportunities to interact and provide feedback.
  5. Consider a variety of elements of delivery including, making eye contact, speaking with enthusiasm and relating subject matter to life experiences.

Lesson Sequence:

A successful presentation begins with identifying an appropriate topic and carefully planning the content and delivery of the presentation.

  1. Select a topic. While it is possible to assign topics, students will be more engaged and enthusiastic about the presentation when they have had an opportunity to identify the topic they would like to present.
  2. Narrow the topic. Select the information that will be presented in order to effectively communicate the essential information in the time frame provided.
  3. Identify what listeners will learn from the content of this presentation.
  4. Create an outline for presenting the information. The outline should have enough detail that the ideas are clear but should consists of words and phrases that cannot be used as a script, but rather guide the explanation.
  5. Select and design appropriate supporting materials that most effectively enhance the topic.
  6. Practice the delivery of the presentation until a comfort level is established and delivery is smooth and relaxed.
  7. Build in opportunities to interact with the audience including time for comments, questions and feedback.
  8. Create a feedback form for the audience that will provide them with an opportunity to explain what they learned from the presentation. How does this compare with what was identified as intended learning?

Outcomes:

A successful presentation is characterized by engaging the listeners in both the content and the delivery of the information. The audience should provide feedback in terms of what they learned from the presentation and suggestions for improvement.

With each presentation it is anticipated that the presenter will improve both content identification skills and delivery skills. This feedback can be reflected by teacher observation, audience participation, and self- reflection.

Assessment:

In presentation development, both content and process are considered. Students should demonstrate improvement in topic selection, identification of appropriate supporting details and visual aids, and organization of the introduction, body, and summary of the presentation. The process of delivery should improve in voice, clarity, tone, eye contact, and movement.

When considering the evaluation of presentation skills, it is as important to assess the presentation itself relative to the improvement of skills over time and with practice. Teacher input, student feedback, and self-reflection are key in developing a comfort level with oral communication skills.