Smarty Pants...

Education Centre Library - Home

THIS is where I spent the majority of my day. Usually, at this time, I'd be whining about how much I didn't get done, but today, my friends? SUCCESS!

I have a stack of books that makes me look like Hermione in training. I have topics picked, and, though nothing really got written down, I have direction. BTW: please refer to the post below, because I KNOW that the Blood Relations thesis statement needs work.

After watching the first batch of presentations in Learning today, I've also learned a few things about presentations that I'l like to list here. Next time you're up for a speach or presentation, keep these things in mind:

1) SLOW THE F*%^@K DOWN!!! Holy Jeeze! I couldn't keep up, mentally or pen-to-paper wise. It was INSANE! So, speak in a Slow, LOUD, clear voice, and remember that not everyone can write or type 600 wds/sec.

2)Big Words sound cool, but if you don't explain them, you're going to lose people fast. This is especially important in Psych, when you're explaining a complicated biological system or function. Either spell-out what it is, or give the name, followed by the basic function.

3)Lists. They're great. They make things easier to remember and to study, and with things like personality, you can't turn a page without tripping over 4 of 'em. So, when using a list in a powerpoint Presentation, Have the WHOLE list on the screen while you're talking, not just the first point. And don't worry about examples: that's why you talk. For example:

Big 5 Personality Traits
-Introversion/Extroversion
-Openmindedness
-Agreeability
-Neuroticism
-Concientiousness.

There. That's ALL you should have on the screen. Give examples while they're writing, because examples are easier to remember/make up than the list itself.

4)Keep it simple, stupid. Like, really, if you over-complicate it to impress your prof, you're just going to lose everyone else, which will kill your grade. Give the bare basics, so that way, you can expand if you have exra time.

5)For the love of god, and all that is holy: DO NOT STAND BEHIND THE PODIUM AND STARE AT THE PAPER THE WHOLE TIME!!! Snore. I know that you're nervous, but if you stand infront of everyone, back straight, and use your hands, you'll engage the crowd.

Lastly, 6) Be prepared for that twerp in the front row who asks everyone the lamest questions for the sake of participation marks. ...Yeah, I'M that twerp. And if I didn't get something, I'm gonna ask, and that could either help or harm you, depending on how you play it.

So, for the next hour, I'm going to whip up the historical introduction to Operant Behaviour for my presentation, and then start scanning through this massive amount of books for things I can actually use. And now that I have a photocopier at home, I can copy them tonight, and take the books back tomorrow for another stack.

Love it.