Assessed Group Presentations Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser This workshop will: -Demonstrate ways to help your group become a team -Examine the usefulness of allocating roles for preparation and delivery of the group presentation -Provide tips for producing an effective presentation 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice1

The Plan 1.The development of a team 2.The benefits of allocating roles in the team 3.Group presentation tips 4.General tips for effective presentations 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice2

A group is not a team: a group of people are a number of people standing or sitting next to each other a team is ‘a group in which the individuals have a common aim and in which the jobs and skills of each member fit in with those of others, as…in a jigsaw puzzle pieces fit together (to) produce some overall pattern’ (Babington Smith, 1979: cited in Adair, 1987:95) your group needs to become a team to be successful. 1.The development of a team 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice3

Consider the benefits of working in a team at University Different people mean variety is built into the presentation Each person can take on a role that plays to their strengths, thereby improving the presentation as a whole More expertise is available Team members can mingle if audience activity is required Different techniques can be employed due to increased numbers, e.g. role play It is good practice as you will do this in employment TALKING POINT 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice4 1.The development of a team

ChallengeSolution Being aware of people’s feelings including anxiety Always be constructive when passing comment. Make ground rules and set clear boundaries Directly address any anxieties mentioned. Discuss and agree attendance, punctuality and commitment parameters; any behaviour or comments that would be unacceptable; and what to do if someone dominates, does not fulfil their role or ignores the ground rules. Ensure everyone knows where the support services are for any assistance so no-one is too deeply drawn in to any personal difficulties. Plan to prevent difficultiesWrite down the ‘advantages’, ‘potential difficulties’ and ‘ways to deal with these difficulties’ of working as a team to be forearmed if there are any problems in the future. Decide and be clear about what you are there to do Maintain focus on the purpose of the team. Decide and be clear about what each meeting will cover. Arrange meeting dates well in advance. If the team does not seem to work properly, address this directly and ensure everyone suggests solutions Every individual is responsible for the team Everyone has responsibility for solving out any issues. If there is any ‘sabotaging’ going on keep bringing the team back to the reason for meeting – the assessed presentation – and focus on solutions. 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice5 1.The development of a team

 Chairperson/Leader: ensures the group draws up an agenda and sticks to it; makes sure everyone has a chance to speak; keeps the group focused; sums up  Timekeeper: ensures the group sticks to its deadlines for different tasks  Record-keeper: takes notes during meetings (this could be given to each team member in turn)  Project manager: makes sure that the team’s actions are relevant to the task/assignment criteria, and between meetings everyone is doing the task that they agreed to.  Administrator (if necessary): deals with actions such as booking rooms, printing out handouts, etc. 2.The benefits of allocating roles in a team TALKING POINT 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice6

Match the right job to the right person! 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice7 2.The benefits of allocating roles in a team

Activity 1: Jobs for producing and delivering the presentation RoleActionsSkills/Personality Researchers (although each team member is usually required to participate in this) Investigate and produce subject relevant information Patience, concentration, eye for detail, communication (to other team members) Deliverers/speakers Spoken delivery of presentationConfidence, clear voice, engaging Resource makers (handouts, etc.) Development of or acquisition of paper and other resources (models, etc.) Attention to detail, IT or practical skills, ingenuity Demonstrators Demonstrate use of an object or method of a skill Confidence, dexterity Role players Act a situation or event alone, in pairs, or as a group Confidence, good memory, acting ability Creators of slide show/PPp Development of slides or PP presentation IT skills, artistic talent, attention to detail 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice8 2.The benefits of allocating roles in a team

Allocating these roles ensures…. Different people mean variety is built into the presentation Each person can take on a role that plays to their strengths, thereby improving the presentation as a whole More expertise is available Team members can mingle if audience activity is required Different techniques can be employed due to increased numbers, e.g. role play It is good practice as you will do this in employment 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice9 2.The benefits of allocating roles in a team

3.Group presentation tips Introduce every member of the team and state their job role Pick the strongest speakers to start and finish Have smooth transitions from one speaker to the next Do not look bored when your colleges are speaking Plan how the group will handle questions Practice as a team Have a team member watch the practices and makes notes on how to improve keep the time. Also monitor the timing of the actual presentation Ensure each team member practices delivering at least one other member’s section 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice10

Any tips or strategies you have used?  Planning and preparation are the key  Choose an ‘easy’ structure  Content and slides − Leave some info for ?s and handouts − Use bullet points with white space  Visual aids and other materials should be… − Concise and relevant − User-friendly and legible − Do not use a script 4.General tips for an effective presentation TALKING POINT 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice11

MS PP − 1:1 − Arial, Tahoma, Calibri − No capital-only words − Do not cut anything off − Use clear labels − Subtle and consistent backgrounds 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice12 4.General tips for an effective presentation

plan for emergencies 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice13 4.General tips for an effective presentation

Academic Skills Advice Service Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (closing at 4pm Fridays). Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser. Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage.webpage Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment. How do I get in touch? academic- Telephone: academic- 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice14

Any questions? 10/01/2016Academic Skills Advice15