Prepping the Presentation

What are the biggest challenges to presenting? Some might say public speaking, but for me it's deciding what to present and how much to share. I always have so much to say and share. Teaching is similar to presenting except that you know that if you run over time or your audience doesn't get it, there's always tomorrow. That's not the case for a presenter.

This week I have to opportunity to present at the Regional World Language Council Mini Conference 2.0 being hosted in my district. I'm so grateful to my high school foreign language for thinking enough of the technology I've shared with them to ask me to share with so many others. As I prepare to share information on creating a virtual language lab I'm faced with the same challenging question - What do I want my attendees to really walk away with?.

Usually this question involves several other considerations like hands-on vs. demonstration, environment, equipment availability, time, skill levels, etc. After discussing my dilemma with my director, I have decided that a demonstration would be best. With so many unknowns (room location, approximate number of attendees, skill levels, equipment) we think this would be the ideal format. This way I can share what we've done without become the design expert for the tool. I won't need to carry additional equipment with me. I can be reliant on my fully configured laptop and profile. It also gives attendees a chance to think about how they would use tools and ask questions.

My reluctance to do it hands-on is tied to many things. First, to use the tools attendees would need to have a wiki, web page, or blog. I'm not teaching those tools today. Second, I may run into unexpected technical errors that will drown my presentation. I may also get hammered with questions ranging from basic to accelerated skill levels. That could be terribly confusing and redirect the entire focus of my session. Lastly, hands-on mean more equipment, log-ins, etc. Not a good idea for persons who work outside of my district. I will save hands-on for presentations at with my district faculties.

In conclusions, the greatest accomplishment in my planning was asking my director's opinion. It's not often that I readily admit my uncertainty about the direction of my sessions, but I trust him.