Speech Assignment Sheet {THIS DOCUMENT = A "USER'S TECHNICAL MANUAL".   IT IS AN EXTRA COMPREHENSIVE  & EXTRA LONG INSTRUCTION DOCUMENT } [Be sure to read it in its entirety]. It may be easier to understand if you print it out .

 Updated for Fall  2021 / last update = 12/4/21 {correction :date typo}

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Oral Communication (COST1600) - ONLINE

 a.k.a. Small Group Communication & Presentation

    Communicate!/Mindtap -15th ed..

This assignment gives you an opportunity to plan, prepare, & present a group presentation on an important issue or problem of the day. [See sample topics below.] You probably have completed similar kinds of activities in other classes; however, for this project, the emphasis is on learning more about the dynamics of communication in groups rather than exhaustively analyzing a topic.

In addition, this presentation is structured to help develop your skills of focus and succinctness.   For example, the presentation slots are relatively brief and two different group presentation modes are required for the video-recorded portion of the project.  These specifications provide helpful practice since most effective communication is direct and listener-centered. (i.e. focused more on what the listener NEEDS to hear than on what the speaker wants to say).

General:

CLO2: Students will be able to recognize the components of the basic communication process as they are manifested in public, group, interpersonal, and mass communication contexts.

CLO 5:  Students will be able to perform appropriate listening behaviors, including the use of attending, processing, and responding techniques and will recognize the role of nonverbal communication cues.

CLO 6: Students will be able to recognize how contextual & culture-based dynamics shape all factors in the sending and receiving of messages (both verbal and nonverbal). 

Specific: By working with a small group of classmates (grouping to be arranged by your professor)  to devise, produce & submit a virtual program-type presentation, you will become a more skilled group participant by understanding & applying the principles of Chapters 9 & 10.

 The ability to Work-in-Groups is essential for many contexts of contemporary society--particularly in your major. It is likely that you will be assigned group projects /presentations as part of your major's competency requirements. This form of Oral Communication blends informing, persuading, and interpersonal interaction.  The structure of this particular, multifaceted speaking assignment will immerse you directly into the experience so you can learn about the process while actually doing it.  Interestingly, it's the interpersonal side of communication [ a.k.a. the "soft skills" ]  that most businesses & corporations are referencing when say they are seeking employees with good communication skills. 

          Together with your groupmates/teammates, you will plan and complete this project while experiencing & exploring the dynamics & procedures of group & interpersonal communication.

• The podcast-type presentation will be pre-recorded (format probably using Microsoft Teams & uploaded to the designated folder in Blackboard) .

• The question & answer segment will be done live (i.e. synchronous) on Microsoft Teams (probably during a class session in the week 13/14). This multi-mode structure enables you to experience all 3 of the primary group presentation formats & most of the group competency skills. 

• See the Mindtap textbook: Chapter 10-5b. "Communicating on your Feet>Speech Assignment> Panel Discussion-The Assignment & "Suggested Format" for a summary of what you will be doing. See below for step-by-step procedural details.

• Upload of Presentation video is due by Mon- 11/22/21  

Note: this way of learning-by-doing can be challenging at times because you mostly will be studying group dynamics and processes via a series of activities-- not just by reading about them in the text and/or lecture notes.

    First, carefully read Chapters  9 & 10  [15ed]  They will help you understand the key group communication principles & characteristics of Healthy Groups (Chapter item 9.2). Also review the several relevant sections in Chapter 9 about virtual groups and virtual presentations, There are some related documents & a free-standing slide show in Blackboard that also clarify what it means to work effectively in groups.

added 10/10/20: View two sample videos of two ways to deliver in-person group presentations - located in a folder at the end of Chapter 9 in MindTap.

  --1-- Please keep in mind that this activity is designed for learning-through-experiencing more so than it is about covering any given topic in depth. That's why your topic needs to be VERY limited & focused.  We are exploring techniques for working and presenting in groups. We are not attempting to achieve definitive solutions of the problems of the world!

Once your group selects its general topic area,  then focus in on   ...an aspect about an aspect about... the selected  topic area.   In other words,  select a specific aspect of an already limited & focused topic:  What happens to Interpersonal Communication skills in a post-pandemic world? ,  Contemporary Social Justice Movements  ,  Standardized Testing in schools  ,   Charismatic CEO's + Conflicts-of-Interest  ,  Glass ceiling for women & under-represented groups  ,  Outsourcing   ,  The increasingly autonomous/robotic workplace ,   Interpersonal Skills are (aren't) important for 21st Century  success  ,  Business Crisis Management ,  Media Monopolies ,  Net Neutrality , Reversing Climate Change Now: the best place to start ,  Millionaire politicians  ,   Facebook & contemporary hiring policies  ,   Continued gender differences in the workplace ,   Social Responsibility of Social Media Platforms, etc., etc.}

added 10/10/20: -Also, if needed, you can refer to  the Template-Group Speech/Topic Generation methods within the Outline Builder App in Mindtap for techniques on brainstorming Group topics.

--3-- NOTE:  Select a topic where the members do NOT all agree on all points & principles. That way the differing perspectives to be discussed in Segments 2  {Panel} & 3 {Q & A follow-up}  will be more "authentic" and less like playing "devil's advocate."   Also, for greater activism, you may want to approach the topic using the "problem solving" process outlined in your text, rather than simply using an information-sharing approach.

          Preliminary

1. "Our Two Lists":  {our groups Codes-of-Conduct + our list of brainstormed topics } are due by email no later than Sun-10/31/21-11:59pm-- (use "cc" to include also all group members). Alternate delivery method = create a document in your Teams' subchannel.

2. "Preliminary Agenda/Outline"  Complete & submit edited worksheet  by email no later than Sun 11/7/21-11:59pm. (use "cc" to include all group members). Alternate delivery method = create a document in your Teams' subchannel.

          Final

Your group's Video-recorded Group Presentation done in "Podcast" style. Upload by 11/22/21.   Pre-record via Teams or Bongo . Location for upload  = Bongo/Mindtap https://help.cengage.com/mindtap/mt-student/upload-video.html

Optional: submit a Revised Agenda/Outline. If your group opts to submit an updated Agenda/Outline for consideration in grading, email it directly to the professor.

Follow-up

► Optional: REACTION JOURNAL: As an individual submission, in addition to any collaborative contributions to the group project, anyone can receive 1--8 extra credit points by submitting a personal, follow-up journal which chronicles thoughts & reflections about being involved in this group process.

► If you're interested in this option, keep a 4-5 entry ongoing journal document on your computer—starting with the initial meetings. {Each dated entry = 1-2 paragraphs.} Section 10.8 in the  Mindtap textbook provides some ideas you your use for "reflection."

► Within one(1) week of the completion of the working-in-groups unit,  submit your full Reaction Journal as a single document. Upload to the designated assignment folder in Blackboard. (no later than Mon. 12/6/21- 11:59pm) . Alternate delivery  = direct email to Professor.

► This is the only individual assignment associated with this group presentation project. All other items = group/team tasks.

All group members should participate equally.  It is Everyone's responsibility to make sure all of the tasks are completed.

Presentations will be graded based on the quality of two factors: the group's submitted materials and on the quality of the oral presentation itself. In most cases, everyone in group receives the same grade. However, if participation levels are obviously uneven, grades will be based on individual performance instead. Two sets of rubrics are listed at the bottom of this document.

Presentation Format: Each group has flexibility & creative control in terms of the set up of the actual presentation (to be done as a psuedo-podcast) However, the following specifications must be met:

Reminder: deadline to upload presentation video =Mon. -11/22/21

         - each video presentation will consist of two segments {Symposium + Panel}

         -the total presentation time (including both segments) is only 10-15 minutes

          -all members need to participate orally in the presentation; however, everyone does not need to speak in each of the segments

          - tip: similar to public speaking presentations, it will be more effective to start with a topic that is limited & focused and then develop a well phrased CENTRAL IDEA [via your Discussion Question]. Avoid attempting to cover a topic that is too broad. Also, be as succinct as possible about any background information so that your presentation time mostly consists of spontaneous discussion & exchange of ideas.  

    -The segments of the presentation are structured as follows:  

> "Our Two Lists" due by Sun-10/31/21 - 11:59pm 

> Preliminary Agenda/Outline via a direct email to the professor.  If the above links don't work, you can go to the Course Documents section in BlackBoard for the worksheet. Use it as a model: Copy & paste into a new document & adjust fonts as necessary.  Due by  Sun-11/7/21-11:59pm     

> As you know, MINDTAP contains several relevant exercises or action steps, which also will help you understand the dynamics of working in groups.  

> Presentations will be graded based on the quality of two factors: the group's submitted materials and on the quality of the oral presentation itself. In most cases, everyone in group receives the same grade. However, if members'  participation levels are obviously uneven, grades will be based on individual performance instead.

>Tips on Handling the Multiple Delivery styles of Group Presentation:

1. SYMPOSIUM  =  you are talking TO your audience as well as TO your fellow participants .[i.e. make your mini-speech extemporaneous & audience centered]

2. PANEL =  you are talking TO your fellow participants but you realize the audience is silently listening in, so you are also be talking FOR the listeners.[i.e. as you talk amongst yourselves, still project "E & E" & make volume, language & examples audience-centered.]

i.e. When doing a "panel" presentation, there is an awareness of an audience even though the panelists are interacting spontaneously among themselves. If your future professional experiences ever involve you discussing a topic in front of an audience- either in-person or virtually, remember you are not talking directly TO them but you are talking FOR them.  Your goal is to keep your energy & volume projected outward to keep the listeners  motivated to listen  even though you are not making eye contact with them.

 3. FORUM  =  {Q & A} as part of your group. you are talking WITH your audience. They are the ones asking the questions and directing the discussion. [ i.e. accommodate their interests but weave in reinforcement of your own central idea]

>Tip: The presentation is structured in this way for a reason:   SYMPOSIUM (part 1) , PANEL (part 2) , FORUM (part 3) . This structure enables you to experience all three of the primary group presentation formats & most of the group competency skills.