Growing up if there is one thing which freaked people out in classroom activities then it has to be presentations. Without a shadow of a doubt some people are more confident than the others. But for some students public speaking or presentations are scary, and they would do anything to dodge it.
Yes! Anything, they will have a stomach ache and even end up putting their great-grandfather in the hospital just to get rid of the presentation.
But have you ever thought why it is scary?
It is because people might not be born with eloquence and their surrounding will nourish their shyness as something weakness instead of helping them to be a bit more expressive. Students are in that stage where everything around them is going to hit more, and they are more sensitive in that zone.
But teachers can play their part to reduce down the fear and anxiety attached to the presentation. This is sophisticatedly practiced by teachers at American primary schools in Dubai with their unique style of engaging students in classroom presentations.
Being a teacher, there are a number of things you can do to boost the presentation skills of the students and this article has discussed some of those skills.
Reduce the elements of nervousness:
Children are often nervous about the presentation because they think people are going to laugh at them. The best way to go about is to help them instill that it is not a big deal, they are just peers and listening to you.
One of the greatest advice my teacher ever gave me regarding class presentations is that think like you are talking to robots and your nervousness will go down. Yes, this thinking process does work at so many levels!
Practice, Practice and Practice!
When you practice, then you know your material well. If you are having a presentation in class, then have a mock presentation test for students and give them feedback on how they can improve. This will increase confidence and gives them assurance.
Also, write down what you want to say, and it will give you chances to understand what you are going to say- keep your morale high.
Understand the classroom environment
This is essential because before the presentation if you are aware of the classroom setting and how can you engage students then you need to come up with that. Students might not notice the effect surroundings have an effect on their speaking and confidence.
Ask them to spend some time or even rehearse in class to gain that coolness of presentation.
Give them grading rubric:
Yes! That is important because it will give insight to students on which part is essential and which isn't. For example, if you are giving a rubric which has more score on non-verbal communication, then it would give students to practice more on body language and other stuff.
Final words:
Presentations are an important aspect for learning because they enable students to be more active public speakers and give them confidence on themselves. Teachers across the globe such as those in American primary schools are using their creative ways to help students be better at presentation.
Presentations make people stronger and confident!
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