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Professor R. Robberecht
College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1133 USA |
Office: CNR 205A | 208-885-7404

Ecology@uidaho.edu    EcologyOnline.net    VandalWeb

 

Syllabus & learning achievement targets
(*Note: Depending on the course enrollment, the schedule is approximate and may be revised somewhat throughout the semester to accommodate student presentations)

 



Week of August 26
  Monday
 
Introduction to the course

Wednesday
 
Introduction and analysis of skills
 
Evaluate recorded presentations on EcologyOnline.net > Seminars: Select one example each: an excellent and a poor presentation
 
Present your selection for one example each: an excellent and a poor presentation
 
Discussion and analysis of presentations
 

 

Week of September 2
  Monday
 
Presentations: A five minute presentation of your choice to evaluate your current skills set
 
Evaluations of student five-minute presentations
 
Discussion

Wednesday
 
Complete the review of excellent and poor presentations
 
Continue five-minute presentations
 
Discussion
 

 

Week of September 9
  Monday - Labor Day Holiday | No class

Wednesday

 
Continue and complete five-minute presentations
 
Discussion
 
Assignment: Revise your five-minute presentation according to the evaluation & begin on the assignments for September 17 (see September 10)

 

Week of September 16
  Monday
  Seminar: Presentation skills for scientists
 
Discussion
 
Assignment: Revise your five-minute presentation according to the evaluation & begin on the assignments for September 17 (see September 10)

Wednesday
 
Seminar: Presentation skills for scientists (continued)
 
Presentation mechanics: Remotes, microphones, pointers, etc.
 
Discussion

 

Week of September 23
  Monday
 
Seminar: Presentation skills for scientists (continued)
 
Discussion:

Assignments:
Revise your five-minute presentation according to the evaluation
Prepare a short introductory statement as a moderator to introduce your colleague for the five-minute presentation
Personal practice sessions (in front of a mirror or video camera): stance, remote control/point use, movement, etc.
Critically view presenters (online at EcologyOnline.net - Seminars) and on television (e.g., national broadcast news presenters)

Wednesday
Present revised five minute presentation with introduction by a colleague
 
Assignments:
The document with links to the recorded presentations will be emailed to you on Wednesday, September 26.
Critically analyze the presentations, including your own. This analysis should include all aspects of presentations and content we have discussed (e.g., stance, mannerisms, speaking - clarity, etc., poise, introduction, slide styles, concluding remarks, etc.). Perform your analysis by playing the recording: (1) full audio and video; slide window large, video window small, (2) full audio and video; slide window small, video window large, and (3) audio muted, large video window, small slide window. Although you do not need to submit a formal written review, you should be taking complete written notes that you can use for the class discussion.

Tip: Regularly attend seminar presentations in your college and, in addition to the subject matter, critically analyze the presentation for the approach and style we have discussed in class.

 

Week of September 30
 


Monday

 
Present revised five minute presentation with introduction by a colleague
 
Wednesday

 
Present revised five minute presentation with introduction by a colleague

Assignment
:
Review the PowerPoint presentation template - especially the rationale for each type of slide
Begin planning your major presentation (objective: 35 min research proposal or data presentation)

 

Week of October 7
 


Monday

 
Impromptu student presentations: How to explain a graph (graphs provided - you explain)
 
Impromptu student presentations: How to explain an image (image provided - you explain)
 
Tour of presentation rooms

Wednesday

 
Presentation software: PowerPoint and other software tools
 
Slide styles: text, images, photographs, composites
 
Recommended graph settings: Line graphs | Bar graphs
 
Recommended image settings: Display full screen | high contrast | high resolution (minimum 150 dpi)
 
Discussion: Awareness of space - the presentation room

 

Week of October 14
 
Monday

 
Teleprompters: Review and presentation
 
Teleprompter Presentation retake
 
Discussion

Assignment:
Continue planning your major presentation (objective: 30 min research proposal or data presentation).
Review several broadcast news reporters and presenters on YouTube or other internet site (any topic): Note eye contact and body movements

Wednesday
 
Presentations via video conference systems
 
Presentation building blocks: Conceptual illustrations for the effective illustration of concepts
 
Discussion

 

Week of October 21
  Monday
 
Complete teleprompter readings
 
The 30-minute presentation: Building blocks
 
Present three key hypotheses and alternative hypotheses for your research presentation
 
Discussion

Wednesday - continued
 
The 30-minute presentation: Building blocks - Hypotheses: The key aspect of research
 
Present three key hypotheses and alternative hypotheses for your research presentation
 
Discussion

Assignment:
Develop outline of your major presentation (objective: 30 min research proposal or data presentation).

 

Week of October 28
  Monday
 
Continue: Review of presentation outlines
 
Discussion
 

Wednesday
 
Continue and complete review of presentation outline
 
Introduction to poster sessions
 
Discussion

Assignment:
Continue work on developing your full 30-minute presentation. Carefully study and review the PowerPoint template for the rationale and recommendations for each type of slide (title, photograph, illustrations, composite images, text, and final slides). Draft presentations will begin on on November 5.
 
Consider which of the following dates you wish to present your draft presentation: November 5, 7, 12, 14
 
Consider which of the following date you wish to present your final presentation: November 14, 26, 28, December 3

 

Week of November 4
 
Monday

 
How to handle questions from the audience
 
Vocal skills: Projection, enunciation, dialects, accents
 
Discussion

Wednesday

 
Vocal skills: Projection, enunciation, dialects, accents
 
Examples: British actors who speak American English in acting roles
 
Examples: American actors who speak British English in acting roles
 
Examples: Australian actors who speak American English in acting roles
 
Equipment for large presentation rooms
 
Discussion

 

Week of November 11
 
Monday

 
Draft presentations (2)

Wednesday
 
Draft presentations (2)

 

Week of November 18
 
Monday

 
Draft presentations (2)

Wednesday
 
Draft presentation (1)
 
Final presentation (1)

 

Week of November 25
  Thanksgiving holiday week - UI closed
 
No class session: Continue to revise and practice your draft final presentation

 

Week of December 2
  Monday
 
Final presentations (2)

Wednesday
 
Final presentations (2)
 

 

Week of December 9
  Monday
 
Final presentations (2)

Wednesday
 
Concluding remarks: Course ends