Bueller. Bueller.

Improving Communication Skills in the Classroom

February 27, 2009

By Katherine Pantinas

Who Am I?

• Katherine Pantinas, MA

• BA in Journalism and Speech Communication

• MA in Communication

• 20 years experience in public speaking

• 5 years competitive speaking

• 8 years providing professional training in public speaking and communication skills

• 3 years classroom instruction in public speaking and communication skills

A Painful Example

• Instructional Strategies: Ferris Beuller's Day Off

Preparation

• Organization - Arranging your information in an orderly and logical fashionTopical

• Group all information by sub-topics

Chronological• Ordering the information according to a

timeline• Presenting information in the order it is

written in the textbook

Speaking Skills

• VoiceVolume – how loudly or quietly you

speakPace – the rate of your speechTone – the highness or lowness of the

voiceVocal Variety – using a consistently

changing pattern of volume, pace, and tone to capture the audience’s attention

Speaking Skills

• Verbal PausesUm, ah, er, well, like, etc.Allow the moment of silence

• Dealing with NervousnessBe preparedPracticeGet in the right frame of mind

Nonverbal Communication

• What Image do YOU want to project? Informal

• Sitting• Casual clothes• Casual language, uses first name

Structured• Walks the room• “Office” clothes• Informal language, probably uses first name

Formal• Stands• Business Attire• Formal language, probably uses title and/or last

name

Strategies for Increasing Discussion• Use YOU as an example

• Encourage the students to speak freely Vegas rule

• Ask a “Who here has…?” question, followed by an open-ended question

• Let the silence stand

• Think outside the box Have them move, change seats, exercise Have them work in groups, then discuss with the

class Talk about something NOT on topic

Tips for Using Visual Aids

• Power Point DON’T TALK TO THE SCREEN Don’t put too much information on the slides

• Video Never use video without discussion!

• Internet Have the internet sites up before class

• Handouts Do not handout anything until the end

• They will concentrate on the handout and not YOU!

Let’s Talk!

Questions, Comments or Issues You’ve Had in Your Classrooms?

Thank you!

• References Hughes, J. (Producer). (1986). Ferris bueller's

day off [Motion picture]. United      States: Paramount Pictures. Retrieved February 24, 2009, from YouTube Web      site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s-oGumvPz0

Lucas, S. E. (2007). The art of public speaking (9th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.      (Original work published 1983)