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OC Fellows help students build presentation skills
4 p.m., March 21, 2007--Oral Communication (OC) Fellows, a one-year-old program in UD's Department of Communication, provides help to students who must make in-class presentations. OC fellows are communication majors who work, one-on-one, with undergraduates tutoring them in how best to put together presentations with an impact. Funded by the Center for Teaching Effectiveness (CTE), the program is directed by Jo Kmetz, instructor in the Department of Communication. Kmetz said the oral communication program was the brainchild of Elizabeth Perse, chairperson of the department, who developed the program with a CTE grant in response to what she saw as a growing need. To become a fellow there is a rigorous application process, Kmetz said, followed by enrollment in Comp 351, a three-credit course teaching oral communication mentoring methods. The Oral Communication Fellows program is free, sessions can last as little as five minutes or a long as an hour, and students can sign up as often as needed. Students may get help on improving one or all elements of their presentations. Fellows can help a student choose a topic or analyze the group to whom the student is making the presentation. Once a topic is chosen, fellows will help with organizing the speech, how to use transitions, visual aids, hand gestures and eye contact. There are even exercises and advise on how to build confidence. “If a student has any concerns about speaking before an audience, we can help them deal with the butterflies in their stomachs by helping them better develop their presentations,” Kmetz said. "We can even help them avoid 'death by Powerpoint,'" she said. Michael DeRienzo, a junior communication major and a fellow, tutors students in the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management (HRIM). He said one of the reasons he volunteered is because he understands how hard it is to make a presentation. “Everyone, including myself and the other fellows, have the ability to become great presenters and public speakers, but it definitely helps talking to someone who has gone through the same thing as you," he said. DeRienzo said that sometimes students know what their public speaking problems are but he has to watch them speak to know how to help. “I can watch their speech in a laid-back atmosphere and give constructive criticism. We've all been there, and we've all made mistakes. I think it helps, at least I hope so, to have someone to talk to who isn't grading you,” he said. Erica Chen, a senior communications major and a fellow, always asks her students to make a presentation. “That way I can hear if they need more information or see if they fidget. Afterwards, I go over their outline with them and give them suggestions on how to improve their overall performance,” she said. Chen said that the most important aspect of public speaking is to keep your audience interested and to remember that “no matter how scared you may be, and everyone has some fear of public speaking, you just have to have fun with it.” Oral Communication Fellows services are available throughout the fall and spring semesters, and appointments can be made 24 hours a day on the web at [www.rich15.com/ocf]. For more information, send e-mail to [jokmetz@udel.edu] or visit [www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2007/nov/oral111706.html]. Article by Barbara Garrison |
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