The Office of Faculty Development will host a session titled “Online Presentation Skills for Faculty” today (April 21) from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Sarah de Swart, director of the Office of Faculty Development, will discuss key strategies, such as voice and body language used in public speaking and presentations. These strategies help faculty develop the skills to minimize apprehension while giving talks, lecturing, or engaging an audience in person and online.
Over time, some of us overcome the feeling of “stage fright,” and may even relish in the performance aspects of public speaking. But for others, the fear never goes away, and the feeling of serious anxiety before every class or formal presentation can be very debilitating. Many falsely think that they are alone in feeling this way.
De Swart will draw upon her prior experience as a professional actress to illustrate how some of the skills used in improvisational theater (which involves interactions similar to those found in the classroom) can be adapted by professors to improve public speaking. She will discuss communication skills that will aid faculty in presenting their knowledge with poise and confidence in front of their peers and community. The workshop will focus on helping individuals stand out from their peers as technical professionals who can communicate with all audiences, especially in an online presentation setting.
Register for the event. Those who have registered will be sent a Zoom meeting link before the event.