The last reflection on AEP

·1. In terms of presentation skills (using your voice, body language, visuals etc.), what did you learn through the three presentation projects and lessons in AEP?

　Voice: I learned that I have to pause more rather than keep talking.

Body language: Body language is the one of the biggest thing I learned from this class. By watching the first video, I noticed that I was constantly moving, standing on one feet and the next moment, I was standing on the other feet. It was so surprising when I saw it because I didn’t know it at all. From then on, I tried to keep it in my mind. I think I have improved in this aspect. Also, I noticed that I was using many meaningless gestures. Overall, I learned that I have to stand straight, and I have to use my body effectively to convey my message. I think this part is the one I have to keep working on.

Visuals: Some first classes gave me good idea of what kind of slides I need to make. I learned that I have to make impressive slides with few words and clear images. I think I improved much in making slides. I am now careful when I am making slides. Also, while watching other people’s presentation, I often notice there are too many words. So, now I am more critical to other people’s presentation than I was before.

2.What do you want to continue to improve?

From the last group presentation, there are still many things to improve. First thing is eye-contact. I look down at computer screen so frequently, and I do not have much eye contacts with the audience. Secondly, I say “um…” too many times. Thirdly, the end of the sentence often goes up like questions. Also, there are too much meaningless gestures. These things make me look less confident, and kind of busy, so I want to improve these things. Some of them can be avoided by sufficient preparations, so I want to prepare more, too.

3.Any other comments or reflections?

I thought my presentation had changed a lot through this class. However, by watching the last video, I still found a lot of things to improve. Many of them were ones which I had noticed when I watched the video of my first presentation. Thus, I might not improve as much as I thought… but at least, I am now aware of the problems I have. I think it’s big progress.

Group presentation

Here is the link to our presentation.
About Women's Aid
https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dddd53zq_100c9nr4fx7&revision=_latest&start=0&theme=blank&cwj=true

Pecha Kucha 20

My presentation is here:
https://w3.icu.ac.jp/people/payne/megumi.html

Actually, this recording is not the one recorded during the class.
I had this re-recorded in Sylvan's office, so I was more relaxed than when I presented in front of the class.
So, I am going to write the self analysis not about this recording but about the presentation I did in the class.

First of all, the biggest problem was that the slide show didn't work well. It didn't go to the next slides automatically. So I had to click every time.
Because of this, I was looking down at the computer screen and thus, I couldn't take much eye contact with the audience.
Also, I think I was not standing straight because I was bending over the computer to click it.
I think I should have checked slide show carefully before hand.

Visuals: I could have found more suitable visuals for some slides.
For example, I couldn't find good picture for the slide about the problems gays have in their everyday life, so I just put the picture of street, and kitchen.

Another problem was that the pie-chart I had made didn't appear on the screen. It was a pity.

Voice: I think my voice was big enough. However, I stuck for words some times, saying "uh...".
So, I think I need more practice.


Overall, it was very good training for me. Since there was time limit of 20seconds, I tried to talk briefly and clearly than usual, and I think I have improved in that aspect.
At last, I noticed that all those technology problem was because I made presentation in different software at home. Next time, I wouldn't make the same mistake. It was a good experience.

Self Analysis on my presentation

In my presentation, I talked about my favorite figure skater, Johnny Weir.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaXuwzZfrng

1. Voice (Volume, rate, pausing, emphasis etc)
Reflection: My goals for this presentation was not to speak too fast. I think I was able to speak slower than the way in which I usually talk when I am nervous, but it was still faster. Also, my voice became weak and small when I was not sure about my English. Moreover, my tone often went up at the end of each sentence as if I was asking questions. For these reasons, I looked less confident.

Goals: My goal for the next presentation is to look more confident. In order to achieve that, my concrete goals are to speak in stronger voices, not to go up at the end of sentences. And to be more confident, I think I need more practices before the presentation so that I wouldn’t lose my confidence during the presentation.

2. Body Language (Eye contact, gestures, posture etc)
Reflection:

Posture: I think I was moving too much. I was constantly moving around. I was not standing straight. I was changing my posture so often, like, I was standing on my left foot for a moment, and in the next moment, I was standing on the other foot. Also, I turned back to the slides so often. These movements were distracting.

Eye contact: I often looked up where I was not sure about my English, or where I was thinking of next sentence, and I looked less confident.

Gestures: I was using too much gestures unconsciously. Many of them were unnecessary.

Goals: In order not to distract the audience, my goal is to stand still and straight on both of my feet. I think I need more practices. And by doing more rehearsals in advance, I will be able to avoid looking up to the ceiling.

3. Visuals (Images or text on slides, timing etc)
Reflection: I think my visuals were simple and quite good. If I had used video to show Johnny Weir’s skating, it would have been better.
Goals: I think it would be better if I make my visuals bigger.

4. Preparation Process (Topic selection, notes, visuals creation, rehearsals etc)
Reflection: I think it was good topic because I really like Johnny Weir and I could enjoy talking about him.

I think I definitely need more rehearsals in order to be more confident, and to avoid looking back to slides.

Goals: For the next presentation, I will do more rehearsals. By doing more rehearsals, I would be more confident in my English, in the way how to explain what I want to tell. Also, It would be good if I shoot video of my rehearsal and check it once.

5. Any other reflections or goals?

My biggest goal is to look more confident. In order to achieve that, I need more rehearsals, and practices to talk strongly.

my goal for the presentation

My goal for the coming presentation is

to make all the audience interested in Johnny Weir, make them want to see his skating.

More concrete goal is not to speak too fast, because I always talk too fast when I am nervous.

The last thing is to be confident in the topic.

watching TED

"Why not eat insects"
http://www.ted.com/talks/marcel_dicke_why_not_eat_insects.html


My analysis:

Impression: The talk was interesting. It was even astonishing.
The lecturer suggests we should eat insects instead of meat. He is supporting it with 4 main reasons and it sounds quite convincing. Since the idea is very unusual, I was astonished at first, but his lecture was based on good reasons and it was convincing even though my instinct still resist eating insects.

Strengths: *He is using the power point very effectively with lots of images, charts.
*He emphasizes important points by repeating it.
* He speaks with clear voice.
* He speaks in comfortable speed to listen.

Weakness: *He does not walk around much. For the most part, he is just standing still.
This makes him look less lively, and less passionate.
If he use more gestures and walk around and approach the audience,
audience will be more involved and impressed.

*Also, he should use more facial expressions because he looks sad, somehow.

*His way of speaking is not so humorous even though the topic is very humorous.
So, if he improves his way of speaking, it would be much better.

about presentations

In a good presentation,
the presenter use a lot of gestures,
takes eye contacts with all the audience,
speak in a clear and big voice,
speak confidently, lively, with facial expressions.
Also, in a good presentation, the speaker is sure about what he or she wants to tell the audience most.
... and the most importantly, good presentations are entertaining.

In a bad presentation,
the presenter speak in small voice,
the presenter cannot look the face of audience because he or she is not confident enough,
the presenter speaks too fast, with too much gestures,
the presenter speaks in a very monotonous way,
the presenter cannot organize what he or she is saying
the presenter get stuck in the middle because he or she has not prepared it enough.

This is my idea about good presentation and bad presentation.