Here’s an email Sarah sent to our parents before our first ZOOM meeting this October. Find download link below…
Dear GMYS Parents,
Well, we’ve moved to Zoom again and we’re a little smarter this time around! Public speaking and online speaking are both incredibly important skills, but they are also very different. As we move online, we are changing our focus somewhat to reflect that.
Although speakers use many of the same techniques for both, we want to key in on the skills that will give our students success in the future with online meetings, interviews, and projects. The primary skills we’re looking at right now are:
1. Being able to smoothly use some basic features like screen sharing and breakout rooms. Most all of our students have had some experience with these but they need to work on using them well.
2. Audience member skills – video on always during our meetings, audio off when not speaking, looking like an engaged and interested listener, and good screen setup (good steady camera angle and adequate lighting)
At the same time, we’re reminding our students of some of the basic public speaking skills we’ve worked on over the years which have been dropped with the distraction of moving online. In particular:
1. Bookending
2. Transitions
We have decided that the best way to achieve these goals is through activities that involve impromptu speaking and a lot of ‘movement’ – small group activities, shared master of ceremony duties, and creativity – during the meeting.
If you have any questions, let us know.
Take care,
Sarah and Sharon