The Academy for Lifelong Learning is an educational establishment without teachers or instructors. Instead, it is based on a peer-to-peer learning model: workshop participants research a topic and share their findings with fellow workshop members. A successful presentation is one which informs and creates a lively exchange of comments and ideas in the ensuing discussion period.
Presentation formats vary. In some instances, various aspects of the topic may be shared with a co-presenter. For example, in a literature workshop one member may be responsible for the selected text while another may present the author. Some workshops, such as The New Yorker Readers, The Economist Readers, and Events of the Week, operate on a “read and discuss” model in which participants introduce topics for general discussion as opposed to making a formal presentation. Your facilitator will advise on what is expected.
If you are new to the Academy, you may find attending the “Presenting the Presenters” Forum helpful. This event is held close to the beginning of the fall semester and again in the winter semester and showcases exceptional presentations from the previous academic year.
In late May or in June, the facilitator for your workshop will circulate a list of presentation topics, asking you to indicate your preference. Before making a commitment, you might want to think carefully about your choice. You will be putting a lot of effort into your presentation so you should feel confident that you will enjoy the task. Are you comfortable in tackling something completely new? Or would you prefer a topic with which you already have some familiarity? You are encouraged to ask your facilitator for advice.
Depending on the workshop, facilitators may assign topics to specific dates or alternatively allow dates to be selected by presenters on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event that you ask for a date or a topic that has already been taken, your facilitator will ask you to come up with an alternative. Those who are new to the Academy may wish to first observe the presentations of other, more experienced, members and may be well-advised to select a presentation date that is later on in the academic year. Along the way, as presentation slots fill, your facilitator will circulate a presentation schedule for the Fall and Winter semesters. Requests to change this schedule can be disruptive and are discouraged, although the possibility of significant unforeseen events or changes in circumstance can never be discounted.
Gathering the information for your presentation can be time consuming, but also very rewarding. Try not to let the task overwhelm you. Keep in mind that your presentation should generally only be 20 – 25 minutes in length, so you will need to be selective. Establish a focus early on in the process so you don’t get distracted by going off on tangents, fascinating though they may be.
The Web, with its wealth of information on virtually any topic, is the obvious place to start your research but you will undoubtedly wish to move on to other more comprehensive resources to be found in libraries and other institutions. Click here to view the Research Resources for Presenters Contact your facilitator if you have trouble locating information for your topic.
If you have done your research well, you may feel that you are a “world expert” on that particular topic at that particular time. However, a long recitation of facts, no matter how learned, will do little to engage your audience.
A successful presentation is one which leads to a stimulating discussion. It not only informs but also presents alternative or conflicting viewpoints, poses questions, and provokes debate. In some workshops, presenters ask their facilitator to post questions, video links, or additional reading suggestions ahead of time so the group can come fully prepared to participate.
While by no means mandatory, the use of a slideshow can do a great deal to engage your audience and illustrate the points you are making. Both of the Academy’s meeting rooms at Tartu College have a PC, a projector, a speaker system and internet access for this purpose. Members may not bring in their own computers for use in the classrooms but should save their presentation onto a USB drive instead.
PowerPoint is the preferred format for the creation of slideshows. Apple users may create a slideshow in Keynote, but it must be exported (saved) in PowerPoint format. The use of Google Slides is another option.
If you have never done a slideshow before, the Toronto Public Library offers free instruction on PowerPoint at various locations.
Windows Users: For members who use MS PowerPoint click here for more information.
Apple Users: For members who use Apple Keynote, the following guide is available through the Toronto Public Library: Pages, Keynote and Numbers for OS X and iOS. Click here for more information.
Google Suite Users: The Toronto Public Library offers online courses and other materials. Click here for more information.
If you do opt to use a slideshow, remember it is merely a useful adjunct to your presentation. It is best not to treat the text on your slides as a script to be read word-for-word. Well-chosen visual images can illustrate and dramatize the points you are making; avoid using slides that are text only. When you do use text, remember to keep the type size large enough to be read from the back of the room (24 point
minimum).
Every presenter, no matter how experienced, is well advised to have a trial run-through of their slideshow on Academy equipment. Sometimes, formatting can be an issue, especially when the file has been exported to PowerPoint from another software application. Checking each of the slides in your presentation file is recommended. If you are having difficulty creating your presentation and the above resources have not helped you solve your technical questions, contact the tech leadership team at academytechleadership@gmail.com for assistance. They will setup a convenient time to meet with you.
One option might be to email your presentation to a member of the Tech Team so they can advise you about your slide presentation or Zoom related issues.. Click here for more information from Tech Support.
While the use of technology can make a significant contribution to the quality of your presentation, it helps to always have a back-up plan. Even a total power blackout will not ruin the day if you have a typed, or even handwritten, script on hand! As a courtesy, it is always a good idea to inform your facilitator that you will be making use of the A/V equipment in your presentation so that the requisite technical support can be assured. If you choose not to do an audiovisual presentation but still wish to have a visual component you can distribute photocopies, attach items to the display walls in the classroom, or make use of the whiteboard.
Workshops allow for a wide variety of creative presentation formats, not just a slideshow. Depending on the Workshop, alternate formats include: an oral presentation, a brief play or key scene, interviews with main characters, a poem or song related to the main characters, a photo album or collage of images to be discussed, a newspaper page or article relating to the material under consideration, and so forth.
Presenters should assume that Workshop participants are familiar with the material under discussion and the aim is to present ideas so as to stimulate discussion.
Yes – the most important thing is to relax. You are in a supportive environment! Remember that you are speaking to people who are interested in the topic, have come to the workshop prepared and are looking forward to weighing in with their opinions.
Look around the room and make eye contact when you speak. Try to convey what excited you about the topic. Think of it as an informal conversation with your peers. Ahead of time, it’s always good to have a couple of run-throughs of your presentation, speaking out loud and asking a partner or friend to give you feedback. You could also try recording yourself and listening to the playback – do you have the right tone and pacing?
Most importantly, time your presentation and don’t exceed the prescribed length! Also, keep an eye on the time during your presentation – you may need to skip parts if you are running longer than planned.
Consult with your facilitator as to how you wish to handle questions. Are you comfortable answering questions as you go along? If so, allowance for discussion will be made in the time allocated for your presentation. In the general discussion period following a presentation, your facilitator will usually moderate the proceedings but may defer to your specialized expertise. Not all of your research can be included in your formal presentation, but your additional knowledge can be a very useful resource to the group in the discussion period.
Prepared by the Curriculum Committee
Revised August 15, 2023
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