3 Minute Thesis Preparation Workshop

Transcription

1 3 Minute Thesis Preparation Workshop Dr Eliza Howard Graduate Education Officer Griffith Graduate Research School E ggrs-education@griffith.edu.au Webinar, Wednesday 19 August 2015

2 Workshop 1 Competition overview Principles of good communication How to effectively summarise your research Live Q&A

3 Competition Overview Rules (the boring stuff) A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration. No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted. No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted. Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified. Presentations are to be spoken word (eg. no poems, raps or songs). Presentations are to commence from the stage. Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

4 Competition Overtivew Judging Criteria (more boring stuff) Comprehension» Did the presentation help the audience understand the research? Engagement» Did the oration make the audience want to know more? Communication» Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience?

5 Principles of good communication The alternative pain scale Why do we crash and burn? How do you overcome the pain? Pain scale courtesy of Hyperbole and a Half hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com

6 My reaction to presenting Scale of Terrifying 1 7 Can t wait! Consider your key thoughts/feelings when you are told you have to deliver a presentation? Slide courtesy of Dr Shari Walsh, Growth Psychology

7 What happens when we are anxious? Fight/flight/ or freeze response (Walter Cannon) activated in the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system which controls blood vessels, smooth muscle, & glands Pulse rate Breathing Digestion Cognitive ability Slide courtesy of Dr Shari Walsh, Growth Psychology

8 Top 10 reasons people fear public speaking 1. Fear Of Failure - Don't want to fail. 2. Self Doubt - Don't think they are capable of speaking in front of an audience. 3. Vulnerability - Feel scared and alone when standing on a stage with everyone's eyes focused on them. 4. Personal Disabilities - For example, you have a stutter or you have a disfigured face, and believe that others will laugh at them. 5. Fear Of Other People Judging You - Feel uncomfortable that others may be forming an opinion of them. List of fears courtesy of Dr Shari Walsh, Growth Psychology

9 Top 10 reasons continued 6. Perfectionism/Expecting Too Much Of Yourself - Overwhelmed by the fact that everything has to be perfect that they don't do it at all. 7. Fear Of A Large Audience - Standing in front of tens, hundreds, even thousands of people. 8. Lack Of Preparation - Not prepared enough to deliver a speech 9. Stress - of public speaking 10. Don't Know How To - Do not know how to write, prepare for and deliver a speech. Fear list courtesy of Dr Shari Walsh, Growth Psychology

10 Slide courtesy of Dr Shari Walsh, Growth Psychology

11 Strategies

12 Prepare to overcome your fears... Write dot-points Practice your presentation & get honest feedback Visit room beforehand Visualise yourself giving the presentation Don t say too much focus on what is important Relax or energise yourself

13 During your presentation Have a friend (or two) in the room Realise people want you to succeed Keep focus on the message not the audience BREATHE

14 Principles of good communication Prepare for every situation Know yourself your strengths, weaknesses, skills, goals, personal qualities Look at the situation again - what knowledge, capabilities and experience might you have to use Think about the types of questions you may be asked and have all your best evidence prepared Think about any questions you may want to ask in response listen and respond Tape record or video yourself, practise discussing your thesis with your Mum or budgie

15 Principles of good communication Know your context. To whom will you be talking? Faculty? (Confirmation, supervisor, other academics, research colleagues?) Conference attendees (presentation, during breaks?) To the media To your family and friends To potential investors in your research To your research team How would you approach these situations differently?

16 Principles of good communication

17 Effectively summarise your research What to do, courtesy of Leah Coutts >> 3MT Trans Tasman Top Ten, 2014 >> #1 3MT in Queensland, Think about: What made Leah s presentation so good? What about her slide? Look at Helen Leung s slide, commended by the judges. What makes her slide so effective?

18 I should be able to play already! Silencing adult piano students inner critics

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20 Final tips 1. Think about what research needs to be done 2. Tell your research as a story 3. Illustrate the abstract with concrete examples 4. Incorporate a surprise 5. Think about the big picture 6. Be positive about yourself and your research! 7. Make people care about your research: Ideas and clarity are more important than a flashy delivery!

21 Thank you for participating in this webinar. All the best with the 3MT! Twitter #GU3MT