Make a video recording of your research paper presentation. Then, use

Make a video recording of your research paper presentation. Then, use the video to analyze your use of academic language, eye contact, speaking rate, enunciation, volume, and gestures. As you review your presentation, make sure that: your language is clear, appropriate, and understandable. you make consistent eye contact with your audience (or the camera). you speak at an appropriate volume using a reasonable rate, and you clearly enunciate your words, especially key words and technical terms. you use gestures that are appropriate and help guide the audience’s focus. As you analyze the video of your presentation, take notes about how you might communicate your ideas more clearly. Revise the language of your presentation as needed. Make annotations directly in the text to remind you to enunciate specific words and to speak slowly and at an appropriate volume when explaining a particularly complex idea. After you have completed your analysis, write a short reflection about two things you did well and one thing that needs attention and improvement. If time permits, apply what you have learned from your analysis to make another recording of your presentation. Watch the second recording and notice how you have improved. Pro Tip As you watch the recording of your presentation, focus on your hand gestures. Are they too broad or too restrained? Do you find them helpful or distracting? Practice giving your presentation in front of a mirror, and make a point of adding gestures to emphasize key points or to direct your audience’s attention. Add notes to the text of your presentation reminding you to make specific gestures at key points.Read over your finished research and presentation portfolio using the project rubric. Think about how well your work addresses each item in the rubric. Research and Presentation Portfolio Rubric Next, choose three of the questions below and use them to reflect on the experience of creating a research and presentation portfolio. Write your answers in your notebook. What was the most interesting thing you learned while doing research for this project? How was this information related to your thesis statement? Which kinds of sources were most helpful for this project? Which were least helpful? What did you learn about the style for research citations that you can apply to future research projects? What was the most difficult part of your research presentation? How would you reduce this difficulty if you could do it over again? How could you improve your use of digital media in slideshow presentations? Effectively conducting research is a skill that will benefit you not only in your later schooling but also in the working world and in your home life. Write your future self advice about how to find reliable sources, using categories of sources as appropriate. The advice should be based on your experience with this portfolio.

1 answer

Video Presentation Analysis

Academic Language:

My language was mostly clear, but I noticed that I used some technical terms without sufficient explanation. In future presentations, I should either simplify these terms or provide brief definitions to make my content more accessible.

Eye Contact:

I made good eye contact with the camera, which simulates engaging with an audience. However, at times I found myself looking down at my notes too frequently. I'll need to practice more to ensure I maintain constant eye contact.

Speaking Rate:

My speaking rate was generally appropriate but accelerated during exciting points. I need to be mindful of maintaining a steady pace and possibly pausing briefly after key ideas to give the audience time to absorb the information.

Enunciation:

While most of my words were clear, I rushed through technical terminology. I will annotate my script to remind myself to slow down and enunciate specific terms more carefully.

Volume:

My volume was adequate, but there were moments where my voice dipped, especially towards the end of sentences. I will focus on projecting my voice, especially during significant statements.

Gestures:

I used gestures to emphasize points, but some were too broad and might have been distracting. I need to practice more controlled gestures that are purposeful and relevant to my content.

Reflection

Two Things I Did Well:

Eye Contact: I maintained a solid connection with the audience (camera), which I believe enhanced engagement.
Overall Structure: My presentation followed a logical structure, and I successfully introduced my thesis and supported it with evidence.

One Thing That Needs Attention:

Enunciation: I need to improve my clarity for technical terms and complex ideas. I will practice these sections more thoroughly in my next rehearsal.

Research and Presentation Reflection

Most Interesting Learning: The most interesting aspect of my research was discovering the historical context behind my topic, which provided depth to my argument. This context reinforced my thesis by illustrating its evolution over time.
Helpful Sources: Academic journals and peer-reviewed articles were the most helpful for my project, providing reliable and in-depth analysis. On the other hand, general websites offered less depth and were often biased, so they were less useful.
Citations Style Learning: I learned the importance of accurately formatting citations in APA style, which I can apply to future projects to ensure credibility and avoid plagiarism.
Difficult Parts of Presentation: The most difficult aspect was managing my time effectively while covering all key points. If I could redo it, I would practice more with a timer to refine my pacing.
Improving Digital Media: I could enhance my digital media by incorporating more visuals that complement my information, such as graphs or images, to better engage the audience.

Advice for Future Self on Finding Reliable Sources

Use Academic Databases: Always start with databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or specific university libraries where peer-reviewed articles and scholarly work are more readily available.
Evaluate Sources Critically: Check for the author's credentials, the publication date, and the publisher's reputation to ensure the source's reliability and relevance.
Diverse Source Types: Don’t rely solely on one type of source. Incorporate books, articles, journals, and even podcasts or lectures in your research to gain different perspectives.
Keep Track of References: As you collect sources, maintain a running list with complete citation details to simplify later citation processes.
Stay Updated: For ongoing research topics, regularly check for the latest articles or publications to keep your information current and comprehensive.

By following this advice and persevering in good research habits, you will improve your research skills significantly over time, benefiting both academic and professional pursuits.