Tips for Effectively Presenting in the Classroom

The first tip to effectively present in a classroom setting should go without saying. But for the purpose of this blog, let it be said that preparation is the single most important thing anyone can do if they are going to be presenting in any setting. If you are prone to "forgetting your words" when standing in front of a group, bring a note card with you that has key points written down on it. If your voice easily gets hoarse when speaking, perhaps having a small bottle of water would be appropriate. Part of preparation involves having practiced what you are going to say. This way, if there are any words grouped together that can be a tongue twister, you will not stumble on them during your presentation.

Another essential tip for anyone presenting in the classroom is to check to make sure your technology is working correctly--and do that well in advance of the presentation. Never assume that because it works on your computer, it will work on the computer you must present on. Check to make sure the computer you present on has the same software applications you will need, that your links work, and that you know how to use everything. Nothing shoots a hole in someone's credibility more than when they fail to be able to use their technology during the presentation.

In Response to Ben Jensen's Blog Post on the Apple iPad

As I looked through Ben's blog to see which topic I most wanted to respond to, I noticed that he had picked the Apple iPad as the current business topic he wanted to discuss. Personally, I just became aware that such a thing existed as I met with my group for a management project a few weeks ago. The men in my group seemed absolutely overjoyed at the prospect of Apple releasing this new "miracle product". I expected Ben's blog post to hold the same little-boy-on-Christmas-morning feel.

What I found instead, was a surprisingly refreshing perspective. Perhaps I felt it was so refreshing because he agreed with many of my personal thoughts on the iPad. As I had it explained to me by men in my group, the iPad is, "like an iPhone but the size of a piece of paper!" This was all stated with much enthusiasm, but to me I wondered who in the world would want to tote something like that around when they could have the convenience of something as small as the iPhone. I vocalized this thought and then was met with a dreamy look as they began to discuss the potential of the iPad in the future; how it could virtually make textbooks obsolete. If that is what potential the iPad holds, I think that is fantastic—just don’t try to sell me one until it has reached that caliber of greatness.