1000 word blog - Valerie Oves

Valerie Oves

    Public speaking has always been something that makes me nervous, and even signing up for this class made me a little scared. However, I realize that this is a skill that is important to learn and will benefit me in the future. When our class first got assigned a group presentation project, I honestly didn't know what to expect. It was a collaboration with people I didn't know, so the beginning of our process was a bit rough. Looking back now, I can say this presentation taught me a lot. It didn't only teach me how to create the presentation or give one, but it taught me how to collaborate with others, prepare for the presentation, and listen to others. Each group covered different chapters all focusing on different things that involves becoming a strong speaker and how to present.

    To begin with, group one started the the presentations off with covering chapter 1, 2, 3, and 5, which covered what public speaking is, the foundation, contemporary communication models, building confidence, and the real meaning of listening. They all thoroughly explained each section and helped us as the audience understand better with visuals provided. I really enjoyed their presentation because I think they did an excellent job at introducing public speaking as an important life skill. Taking into consideration that this was the presentation done in our class, it was evident that some people were nervous. However you can see how over time, as they were presenting, they were getting more confident and comfortable talking. As ironic as it is, they had talked about building confidence before and during the presentation, and they would relate the ideas back to the audience in a clear way. Ideas were given throughout the presentations that I knew I could apply to my own presentation, and learn how to make my section sound complete and confident. One thing I liked most was how relatable their advice felt. They talked about things that make of us struggle with, like feeling nervous or not knowing how to start a speech. Hearing them explain simple techniques like making eye contact and using hand gestures made public speaking feel a little less scary. All in all, I thought they did a great job setting the foundation for the rest of the presentations. 

    Group two was up next presenting chapters 4, 6, 7, and 8, which was essentially about the process of developing a speech. Off the bat, seeing the difference between group one and group two, I can say that group one was a lot more prepared and put more attention to detail when making their power point. However, I can't take away that they were good at explaining their units. Their focus on preparation really stood out to me because it made me realize how much work happens behind the scenes before anyone even begins to speak or begins to present. I liked how they explained researching your topic, organizing your ideas, and thinking about your audience. It made me reflect on how preparation directly affects confidence, which connected to group one. If I am being honest, there were moments where their slides had a lot of text or not enough visuals, and it was a little difficult to stay fully engaged the entire time. However, I could tell they tried their best and put maximum energy into the presentation. 

    Group three went over chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12. How this group was focusing on 'getting closer to a great presentation'. I found their presentation interesting because it connected preparation with actual performance. They talked about refining your speech, how to begin and end your speech, what language to use, practicing delivery, and learning how to keep an audience interested. I enjoyed how they used examples to show both effective and ineffective presentation styles, because it made the lesson more real, This is easily my favorite group presentation as they included many visuals, keeping my attention on the topic at hand. Watching them made me think about my own habits, like sometimes speaking too fast when I get nervous. I also noticed how confident they looked, which made their presentation feel smooth and engaging. Looking at them present, seeing their presentation, you can just tell that they collaborated, communicated, and had amazing teamwork that allowed their project to reach the potential it did. 

    Lastly, group four, my group, we covered chapters 13, 14, 15, 16. and 17, which focused on the different types of presentations we can learn from. I really enjoyed learning about different types of speeches such as informative and persuasive presentations, because it showed me that that public speaking is not just one style. Preparing with my group helped me realize how important communication is when working with others. Everyone had different strengths, and it was interesting to see how those strengths came together in our final presentation. Working within my group and alongside another classmate, it helped me with my teamwork skill and how I communicated and got my ideas across. At the same time, there were parts of the group experience that were a little more stressful that it should have been. Coordinating schedules and making sure everyone was prepared was proving to be a bit difficult. Waiting on other members, not knowing if they were going to be done on time was probably the worst part. Presenting in front of my class was nerve-racking, but it also felt rewarding once we finished. 

    Overall, I think my classmates did a great job throughout the entire project. Everyone showed effort, and it was clear that each group took their responsibilities seriously. Some groups used more visuals, while others focused on explaining the concepts. One of the most enjoyable parts of the project was learning from my classmates instead of only reading from a textbook. Even though presenting can still feel intimidating, I now understand that improvement comes from stepping outside of my comfort zone and learning from both successes and challenges. In the end, this experience went a lot smoother than I expected and I can say I am much more confident when it comes to presenting and speaking in front of people.