Alleviating the Stress of Presentations through the use of Technology

1. Alleviating the Stress of Presentations through the use of Technology Krystine Donato and Lianne Fisher

2. In collaboration with: • Frances Owen, Ph.D. • Dorothy Griffiths, Ph.D. • Maureen Connolly, Ph.D. • Carol Sales, Ph.D. • Michael Laurence, Educational Technology Consultant Brock University

3. Special Thanks To Brock University’s Department of Graduate Studies for the continued support both financially and academically of this Masters thesis.

4. Oral defense presentations . . . • Can be a barrier to some students with disAbilities • A disAbility such as Cerebral Palsy can impact speech production

5. Oral presentations . . . • Speech production disAbility can increase student stress & fatigue in oral presentations • Stress & fatigue impact oral performance

6. Accommodation possibilities . . . For example, break defense into two sessions: 1) proposal presentation 2) questions But . . . no guarantee stress & fatigue will not impact speech clarity Lack of coherence & continuity between two sessions

7. Recording oral presentation allows for . . . Maximizes clarity of oral presentation (e.g., can tape over several sessions, can include captions to ensure clarity of content) Allows presenter to focus on interaction with audience Allows for Preservation of energy for questions

8. Getting ready. .the Smart Room

9. Technological Support • Smart Room at Brock University is equipped with several options for displaying recorded material, Powerpoint presentations, and conferencing. • Camera recording, editing to incorporate closed captioning, and wireless capabilities.

10. Recording the presentation . . . Krystine read from slides on this screen Camera recording Krystine was placed here

11. Clip from the recording. . .

12. What was most impressive, from this technologist's perspective, was Krystine's "orchestration" of the multimedia team's contribution - her plan was well thought out, it was clearly communicated, and she carefully yet firmly critiqued our work until she achieved the sought after product. Michael Laurence, Educational Technology Consultant

13. The committee’s view . . . Video playing here Slides Here

14. “Krystine has been a student of mine in several undergraduate courses and has always given excellent presentations in class & seminar. The approach we used for her thesis introductionallowed her to show her skills and knowledge in a way that I had not witnessed before.” Dorothy Griffiths, Ph.D. Committee Member

15. “I really wanted my committee to get the content of my talk and not have to focus so much on my speech that they did not really get a chance to hear what I saying. By recording the oral presentation portion of the proposal defense I think this was achieved”. Krystine Donato M.A. Candidate

16. “My fortunate participation in this particular accommodation ‘support’ of an oral defense has informed my understanding of education as liberatory practice. Accommodation is not about doing it ‘my’ way or ‘your’ way, or equity per se -- it is about people having sufficient liberty to demonstrate what they know and to be who they are”. Lianne Fisher Accommodation Support

17. After thoughts & Recommendations • Cost & Bursary Funds • More Time • Balance independence & technological support

18. Next Time . . . Break down the oral presentation recording into two or more sessions Closed captioning Record complete presentation

19. “It isso critical that we give students the opportunity to maximize their potential. It's all about creative adaptation”. Dorothy Griffiths, Ph.D. Committee Member