Effective Communication

Dr. Bettie HiggsThe Teaching and Learning Centre

University College Cork

Going into the unknown!

What are the challenges?

Tips for effective communication

• Don’t try to put too much into the talk. • What is the main message?• Leave some ‘unanswered questions’

• Bring in some appropriate humour

• The students will be thinking WIIFM• Keep to time

Ten tips for good Powerpoint slides

• Don’t put too much on any slide• Use large fonts• Check which colours work well• Use the top two-thirds of the slide only• Use pictures, cartoons and graphs

Ten tips continued…..

• Don’t use very detailed pictures and graphs

• Don’t keep slides up too long• Don’t cause death by Powerpoint • Use surprise slides• Learn from other people

Questions and answers

• Shared learning experience• Leave time for questions and answers• Find out what the students still need to

know• What not to do!!

If a student asks a question…..

• Repeat the question to everyone• If you don’t know the answer, don’t make it

up!• How to encourage student questions• Don’t intimidate students• If you ask a question, put it on the screen.

What if……..

• What if I’m feeling nervous?!• What if I forget what I am going to say?!• What if students are not listening?!• What if I finish way before time?!

And at the end…..

• Get some feedback from your audience• Did you answer their questions? • What did you learn for the next time?• Thank them for their attention• Wish them well in their studies

• Think about the feedback• Make plans for the next session

Who can help you?