Indiana Jen

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The Importance of Teaching

Students Public Speaking Skills
5 Replies

My career as an educator and educational consultant requires that I speak in front of

people regularly. I have to speak in front of adolescents, peers, colleagues, etc.
Not to toot my own horn, but I often get compliments on the ease and comfort that
I exude while talking in front of groups. And honestly, I do feel quite comfortable
being the center of focus in a room I have long gotten over the anxiety and nerves
that come with talking in front of a crowd. However, it was a long journey to get
there.

There was a time that speaking in public filled me with dread, loathing, and fear.
The first time I spoke in public, I was 22 years old in graduate school at UCLA. I was
TAing a class on Ancient History that had an enrollment of 381 students. We met in
one of those large theater-type classrooms. You stood at a podium in front of the
students, raised up on a stage, and spoke over a microphone. My professor had
directed all of the TAs that we would be giving at least one lecture that quarter. On
the day that I was up, I was frazzled and exhausted (having not slept at all the night
before). I didnt eat breakfast as my stomach was turned in knots. I spent a full ten
minutes before going up on stage throwing up in the bathroom. To this day, the talk
itself was a blur blocked by some psychological protective mechanism I am sure.

I always tell my students that story. One, its a good story and quite funny. But also,
I think it highlights the importance of their learning public speaking skills. I chose a
profession that required it. And most of us, if only a limited capacity, need to speak
in groups (large and small) at some point. The great moral of my story: dont be like
me; dont learn the hard way; learn to speak in public now and were going to do
that in class.
You see, public speaking is one of those skills that you only improve through
practice in other words, you need to speak in public. This is one of the reasons
why I highlight public speaking in my classes. I do not teach public speaking or a
speech class. I teach History and Art History. Still, every week, my students stand up
in front of the room and give a very brief (1-2 minute) report to their classmates.
Every year, when I announce this assignment, my students look at me wide-eyed
with terror. The first time they stand up in front of the class their nerves are
palpable they stammer, their fidget, they say um or uhhh every few words.
However, every week, it gets a little easier and by the end of the year, they
comfortable stand up in front of their peers and give their presentations with a
casual stride.

As a teacher of history, its a lot easier for me to incorporate public speaking into my
lessons and class. Its one of the myriad of skills that my students will use in the
real world. Below, find the prompt and instructions for what they present in class.
 As
you can see, the focus is a current events type of presentation with a bit of a twist
the current event must be about history. Stories on archaeological excavations,
fights over cultural artifacts, new discoveries in history and art history, there is no
shortage of topics.

I am often asked by colleagues why I limit the number of words in their slides that
is to ensure that they do not read off of their slide (I have seen students literally
turn around and read an entire presentation off of a PowerPoint slide).

At the end of every school year, because of this exercise, my students are never
afraid to speak in public. They are confident, assured, and practiced at a challenging
art.
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This entry was posted in Education, Lesson Plan, Pedagogy and tagged current
events, edchat, Education, History, lesson plan, Pedagogy, public speaking on
September 16, 2012.

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5 thoughts on The Importance of Teaching

Students Public Speaking Skills

1. norm September 17, 2012 at 7:22 am

I encourage my young people to take a speech class or two in high school to

prepare them for that day in their future when standing before a group and
talking freely is required. It is every bit the part of a good education as
learning how numbers work.

Reply
 1. Jennifer Carey Post authorSeptember 17, 2012 at 7:53 am

I absolutely agree! Its a skill that I know they will use time and time
again!

Reply

2. David Korfhage (@drkorfhage) September 17, 2012 at 9:03 am

As a speech and debate coach, I agree about the importance of speaking

skills. And I like the presentation idea. Ive thought vaguely about that sort of
assignment in the past, but its helpful to see it concrete and thought out.
Thanks!

Reply

3. Jim Wheeler September 17, 2012 at 9:05 am

Jennifer, your students are lucky to have you for their teacher.

Reply

4. Pingback: Digging Deeper The Weekly Blog Round-Up 17th September

2012 | The Amateur Archaeologist

Leave a Reply

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Indiana Jen
Education & Technology (and some History)
Skip to content

Home
About Me
My Podcasts
My Resume and Portfolio
Suggest Content

The Importance of Teaching

Students Public Speaking Skills
5 Replies

My career as an educator and educational consultant requires that I speak in front of

people regularly. I have to speak in front of adolescents, peers, colleagues, etc.
Not to toot my own horn, but I often get compliments on the ease and comfort that
I exude while talking in front of groups. And honestly, I do feel quite comfortable
being the center of focus in a room I have long gotten over the anxiety and nerves
that come with talking in front of a crowd. However, it was a long journey to get
there.

There was a time that speaking in public filled me with dread, loathing, and fear.
The first time I spoke in public, I was 22 years old in graduate school at UCLA. I was
TAing a class on Ancient History that had an enrollment of 381 students. We met in
one of those large theater-type classrooms. You stood at a podium in front of the
students, raised up on a stage, and spoke over a microphone. My professor had
directed all of the TAs that we would be giving at least one lecture that quarter. On
the day that I was up, I was frazzled and exhausted (having not slept at all the night
before). I didnt eat breakfast as my stomach was turned in knots. I spent a full ten
minutes before going up on stage throwing up in the bathroom. To this day, the talk
itself was a blur blocked by some psychological protective mechanism I am sure.

I always tell my students that story. One, its a good story and quite funny. But also,
I think it highlights the importance of their learning public speaking skills. I chose a
profession that required it. And most of us, if only a limited capacity, need to speak
in groups (large and small) at some point. The great moral of my story: dont be like
me; dont learn the hard way; learn to speak in public now and were going to do
that in class.

You see, public speaking is one of those skills that you only improve through
practice in other words, you need to speak in public. This is one of the reasons
why I highlight public speaking in my classes. I do not teach public speaking or a
speech class. I teach History and Art History. Still, every week, my students stand up
in front of the room and give a very brief (1-2 minute) report to their classmates.
Every year, when I announce this assignment, my students look at me wide-eyed
with terror. The first time they stand up in front of the class their nerves are
palpable they stammer, their fidget, they say um or uhhh every few words.
However, every week, it gets a little easier and by the end of the year, they
comfortable stand up in front of their peers and give their presentations with a
casual stride.

As a teacher of history, its a lot easier for me to incorporate public speaking into my
lessons and class. Its one of the myriad of skills that my students will use in the
real world. Below, find the prompt and instructions for what they present in class.
 As
you can see, the focus is a current events type of presentation with a bit of a twist
the current event must be about history. Stories on archaeological excavations,
fights over cultural artifacts, new discoveries in history and art history, there is no
shortage of topics.

I am often asked by colleagues why I limit the number of words in their slides that
is to ensure that they do not read off of their slide (I have seen students literally
turn around and read an entire presentation off of a PowerPoint slide).

At the end of every school year, because of this exercise, my students are never
afraid to speak in public. They are confident, assured, and practiced at a challenging
art.
About these ads

Share this:

Email

Print


76

inShare

Share on Tumblr

Related

Update on Blogging in Class Part 2In "Education"

First Day Using Poll-Everywhere - 2 out of 3 Ain't BadIn "Education"

Today, I Let my Students Make Their Own QuizIn "Education"

This entry was posted in Education, Lesson Plan, Pedagogy and tagged current
events, edchat, Education, History, lesson plan, Pedagogy, public speaking on
September 16, 2012.

Post navigation

Oldest Roman Military Encampment Uncovered in Germany PSA: Dont Let Salami
and Google Images Get You In Hot Water

5 thoughts on The Importance of Teaching

Students Public Speaking Skills

1. norm September 17, 2012 at 7:22 am

I encourage my young people to take a speech class or two in high school to

prepare them for that day in their future when standing before a group and
talking freely is required. It is every bit the part of a good education as
learning how numbers work.

Reply
 1. Jennifer Carey Post authorSeptember 17, 2012 at 7:53 am

I absolutely agree! Its a skill that I know they will use time and time
again!

Reply

2. David Korfhage (@drkorfhage) September 17, 2012 at 9:03 am

As a speech and debate coach, I agree about the importance of speaking

skills. And I like the presentation idea. Ive thought vaguely about that sort of
assignment in the past, but its helpful to see it concrete and thought out.
Thanks!

Reply

3. Jim Wheeler September 17, 2012 at 9:05 am

Jennifer, your students are lucky to have you for their teacher.

Reply

4. Pingback: Digging Deeper The Weekly Blog Round-Up 17th September

2012 | The Amateur Archaeologist

Leave a Reply

Ancient History Ancient Rome Anthropology Apple Archaeology Art History Classical Archaeology

Classics Education Educational Resources Educational

Technology Egyptology Google Higher Education History Lesson Plan Looting Museums
Nautical Archaeology New World Archaeology Pedagogy Physical Anthropology Podcast Professional

Development Public Education Social Media Teachers Technology Uncategorized United

States History

Top Posts & Pages

Why 1950s America was *Not* Magical!!

 An Administrator's Guide to Google Forms
Women Warriors - A History of Real Women in Combat
5 Tips for Classroom Management with Mobile Devices
The Best Online & Interactive Museum Exhibits
Student Documentaries in History Class
10 Things Every Teacher Should be able to do on Google Docs
Eight Little Known Facts About the Civil War
The Beginners Guide to Chromebooks
Explore the Mesoamerican Ball Game: Online and Interactive

Latest Tweets

@LastWeekTonight I hope you talk about the insanity out of Florida. You
can't mention climate change! 12 hours ago
63 Things Every Student Should Know In A Digital World courtesy of
@larrykahn #edtech teachthought.com/technology/63- 16 hours ago
Who Spewed That Abuse? Anonymous Yik Yak App Isnt Telling, via @nytimes
#edtech nytimes.com/2015/03/09/tec 16 hours ago
@dvandekamp30 @divinelight @loveline @rhunekincaid I agree! I love that
tog interact with your audience 16 hours ago
President Obama launches new training program for tech jobs
engt.co/1aX98iM via @engadget 18 hours ago

Search for:

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by
email.

Join 7,364 other followers

Blogroll

A Don's Life by Mary Beard

Bones Don't Lie
Bridge Over Tech Waters
Cool Cat Teacher
Focus on Adult Learning
Free Technology For Teachers
Karen Arrington TVS Techie
Mathy McMatherson
Powered By Osteons
Rogue Classicism
ScienceDaily: Archaeology News
Smithsonian Magazine History & Archaeology
Social Justice for All
 Still Skeptical After All These Years
Whatever You Say/Does it Really Matter?

The Twenty Twelve Theme. Blog at WordPress.com.

Follow

Follow Indiana Jen

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 7,364 other followers

Build a website with WordPress.com