Sir Ken Robinson: How Schools Kill Creativity

Watch this animation of Sir Ken Robinson's talk on the effect of schools on creativity:

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms

In 250 words, respond to the following:

1) How do the images and animation help/detract from the speech?

2) Is there a strong connection between the visual and audio content of the speech? 

3) How effective are Robsinson's speaking methods?

4) How persuasive is the visual component of the video?

Evaluate a Lecture

You're free to choose a public speaking event that you'll be attending for this assignment. Faculty member are definitely up for grabs with this assignment--though I'd encourage you to be generous if you choose this route, as this is a public forum!

Evaluate and comment on the following:

1) Audience engagement and interest
2) The content and level of the talk/lecture
3) The speaker's tone, inflection, projection voice modulation
4) Volume and projection
5) Things you think the speaker might improve upon

Post your responses here in approximately 250 words.

Tips for the Shy

This homework will present tips and tricks on how to overcome shyness or introversion from a man who is a self-proclaimed introvert, Jonathon Colman. For this homework, please read Colman's blog post "A Guide to Public Speaking for Introverted and Shy People" from January 7th, 2013.

http://www.jonathoncolman.org/2013/01/07/a-guide-to-public-speaking-for-introverted-and-shy-people/

After reading the blog post (don't read the responses to his post) please write 150-200 words answering the following questions:

• What was the best advice Colman gave in his blog post? Why?
• Using Colman's explanations of shyness and introversion, are you either? Both? Why or why not?
• Describe what Colman means when he writes, "There's safety in structure".

Get Acquainted with Prezi

For this homework, you will have the chance to play with Prezi, a web-based presentation software that is an excellent alternative to PowerPoint. Use this homework to learn how to use Prezi and then, if you like it, give it a go on your next major speech! Here are the guidelines for this homework:

• Click on this link for prezi.com
• You will have to create a free account in order to use Prezi
• Once your account is set up, spend some time playing with Prezi. There are many interesting features, templates, and ways to customize your presentation, so take a good look!

• To receive credit for this homework, you must create a short (5-slide) Prezi that contains at least one image and one video. This Prezi can be about anything in the whole wide world! Be creative!
• After completing your Prezi, click the "Share" icon and post the link here. You may have to adjust your public settings in order to make it viewable to others.

Amy Cuddy: TED: Body Language is Powerful

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en

After viewing, answer the following questions:

• How does Amy Cuddy describe  “power posing”?
• Choose one statement or quote from Cuddy that you found valuable. Explain why.
• How can knowing about power nonverbal cues help you in public speaking? In life?

Confessions of a Public Speaker

Read Chapter 1 of Confessions of a Public Speaker:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7dGQRFPJQg3ajg3THhxejR1NE0/edit

In response to what you read, write a 200-300 word reflection (1-2 pages double-spaced) on the reading answering these key questions:

• What was the main idea of the reading?
• What did you find to be the best advice for new public speakers?
• What was a key quote from the reading and why did you choose this quote?

What Scares You?

Start this homework by making a list of the five things that scare you the most. After making your list, think about where public speaking would rank on a list of all of the things that scare you. Write about this for about 50 words.

Spend another 100 words answering these questions:

• What frightens you the most about public speaking?
• Why do you think so many people fear public speaking?
• How do you think a fear of public speaking can be overcome?

Reflect on a Major Speech

PLEASE NOTE: This homework can only be done by people who have already delivered a major speech!!! (That is, a 3- or 5-minute major speech for a grade.)

For this homework, I'd like you to spend some time reflecting on one of your major speeches for this class. Choose either your 3- or 5-minute speech and write about 300 words answering the following questions:

• How did you feel this speech went?
• Explain how you prepared for and practiced this speech.
• What score would you have given yourself?
• Choose one area that you wish you could have improved upon and talk about it.
• What did you take away from this speech that will help you in the final speech as well as in future speeches?

If there is anything else that you would like to include in this reflection, please feel free. It may be written informally, in diary format, or in a simple bulleted list of responses. The goal here is that you will consider honestly how you performed on a speech for this class.

Your grade will not be affected in any way by the responses you give in this reflection.