Introduction
In a democratic society, we need to be able to present our ideas, research and proposals to others in the most effective ways. Public forums form one of the most important channels through which we can advocate in and for our communities. The ability to translate months of collaborative work into a polished, engaging, and persuasive oral presentation maximizes our chances of effective action which builds equitable communities, and prepares us for successful interventions beyond local arenas.
The Oral Presentation
Each group will synthesize its semester’s research and development into a creative, forty-five-minute presentation to faculty, fellow students and guests invited from your communities and from New Century College. As you have done throughout the semester, analyze your group’s strengths as you prepare for this oral presentation, and match them precisely to your needs.
All members of the group need not speak during the presentation, but all members of the group should be involved actively in the preparation and the execution of the presentation. For example, part of the group may work on visuals, through presentation softwares, graphics and video. Some may integrate relevant audio and music. Others might compose and edit text for slides, web sites and brochures, or act as director/reviewers of the whole presentation. Yet others might create handouts, pamphlets and booklets, design activities to enhance interactivity in the presentation, or coach speakers to their best performances.
Your oral presentation should include:
- a brief discussion of the problem area you chose and why your group decided to focus on this issue
- your synthesis of all your research into your chosen issue
- the ways in which you conducted your research according to the principles of action research
- a clear delineation of the relationship between your action research and your plan for action
- an evaluation of the feasibility of your proposed plan, its possibilities for success, and potential barriers to success (and how you (and others) might address these barriers)
- an identification of the most productive strategies a successor group might wish to follow, based on your experience, and the pitfalls you would advise that successor group to try to avoid.
- a collaborative reflection on what you learned, as a group, from your research, analysis, development and communication processes
- a final reflection on your relationships, as a group, and as individuals, to the community(ies) within which you worked this semester, and on how those experiences might influence your community involvement in the future
- a creative aspect that engages the audience – maybe some activity to do or video to watch
- a PowerPoint presentation that enhances the understanding of this problem area
Evaluation
Faculty will use the criteria above to evaluate the content of your oral presentation, and will also apply a specific rubric, which we shall distribute in the next few weeks, to evaluate the group’s execution of its presentation before an audience.
All NCLC 203 faculty members are dedicated to your success in this research project & presentation. We shall be delighted work with you on your presentations, respond to outlines and plans, attend rehearsals and run-throughs, and do whatever we can to facilitate your success. Talk to us soon, and talk to us often!