Blog Post #1 ~ Sophia Desir

 BLOG POST #1:

 Overall, I believe all the group presentations were nicely put together. All 4 groups were able to complete the assignment while the instructions. In my opinion, the groups thoroughly read all their assigned chapters and transformed what they learned into a PowerPoint very beautifully.

To begin with, group #1 had chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5. Those chapters talked about the evolving art of public speaking, building your confidence, listening, and adapting to your audience.

Group #1 had 7 team members: Christian St. Germain, Federico Devers, Angie Gonzalez, Emmanuela Nestan-Delva, Fabiana Gonzalez, Fabienne Benjamin and Allan Lira Salazar. Team member #1 which was Christian started off his part of the presentation by giving a fun fact. I really love the way the fun fact was introduced because it was a picture of a man during a TED Talk. The fun fact was that TED Talk is #1 when it comes to public speaking. This was super interesting because yes, a lot of us know about TED Talk but like others, I didn’t realize TED Talks were that popular to be the leading #1. He then continued by giving us the 5 benefits of public speaking. He went a bit into detail for each benefit to further explain what was on the slide. This was great as it shows his knowledge of what he was talking about.

Christian then passes the presentation to Federico. Federico nicely presented his slide about the five arts of public speaking which are: Invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. I really love the teamwork and support that this group shows through each other. For example, Federico wasn’t feeling well that day and had to stop presenting because of a strong cough. But Christian didn’t hesitate to jump in and help with the rest of his slide. He finished summarizing and played the video on that slide. Just amazing.

This group also had a question from Ashley. Angie was able to thoroughly answer the question, so we understood what was being asked. Christian continued to present very well spoken as well as having short TEDTalks to further elaborate on the topic he was explaining from his slides.

Group member #4, which is Emma now took over to further talk about having confidence in your speech. For example, to do your research, know your audience and get well prepared. Emma really went into detail and got her points across very beautifully and well spoken.

Fabiana then jumped in to present her slides. I loved the way she didn’t only just read off the slides, but she also gave some examples to her audience, so we better understand what’s on the slide. I also love the actumoyn she used to help us remember how to build effective listening practices.

Christian once again took leadership and without a doubt presented for another team member who has audio issues. He talked about audience targeting, how to connect with them, and get them engaged and focused.

Fabienne and Allan were the last two of the group to be present. Since they only had 10 minutes left, it was a bit hard to really grasp everything they were presenting. They also presented without slides. So that just showed a little unpreparedness on their parts.

To continue, group #2 had chapters 4, 6, 7, and 8. Those chapters talked about developing your purpose and topic, researching your topic, supporting your ideas and organizing and outlining your speech.

Group #2 had 7 team members: Isabel Maestre, Jazmin Sierra, Giselle, Schneider, Jancarlos Hernandez, Jade Marquez, Glensys Martinez, and Isabella Clavelo. Team member #1 which was Israel started off by giving us a little over of her chapter. I also love how she didn’t only rely on the slides but she also spent some  time give us some more information about what’s one the slides. Isabel also gave an example while presenting. This was great because examples are a great way to connect with your audience in a comprehension in a deeper level.

Isabel then passed on the presentation to Jazmin. Jazmin took the more reader side as in reading directly from the PowerPoint. Everything she said sounded great and well written. But it would have been great for her to show a bit more knowledge of her work by connecting to the audience more. For example, adding some more points from what’s on the slides.

              Next, Jazmin passed it over to Giselle. I feel like Giselle did a fantastic job with presenting. Her slides not only looked good, but she was also able to learn about what she was presenting so she wasn’t over relying on just reading from the PowerPoint. She has good knowledge of her assignment. Her added example was also a great audience attention catcher.

              Next team member, Jancarlos jumped in. His slide to me was a bit crowded and had too much information. But I really loved how he was able to add on to slide after reading each point from it. That showed he didn’t just cramp all the info on the slide but also knew what he was presenting.

              The next tea member, Jade, presented next. I loved the way of presenting her part of the PowerPoint because she didn’t have to add to much on her slide or even too manty slides to get her points across. She was also well spoken and gave her audience some examples of what she was talking about. Her part was short, sweet and simple.

              Next team that jumped in was Glensys. Glensys’s part of the presentation was extremely short as well, but I feel that she could have added some of her knowledge to further explain than just completing reading off the slide.

              Lastly, we have team member Isabella. Isabella did a great job presenting her part of the presentation because I feel like she knew her topic and was able to further elaborate on what was on the slide similar to some of her team members.

I loved this group PowerPoint because it was such a calm and peaceful theme. You’re able to stay focused and not get distracted too easily. The only thing I would love to see is some pictures, charts or graphs to add a bit more visual to it.

Furthermore, we had group #3. Group #3 had chapters 9, 10,11, and 12. Those chapters talked about beginning and ending your speech, using language effectively, integrating presentation media, and delivering your speech.

Group #1 had 6 team members: Jielianne Rodriguez, Kristine Gomez, Jeanpaul Figueroa, Jonathan Ruiz, Julia Bojorquez, and Jasmine Peraldo. Team member #1 which was Jielianna started off the group’s presentation very well. Her explanation and visuals such as graphs and chart style were really engaging and eye catching to the audience. I loved how she was able to explain to us the graphs that she included from the chapters. She also presented at the end for a team who had an emergency. And once again I feel like she thoroughly explains what she was talking about and didn’t even overly rely on what on the slides. Amazing presentation.

Kristine took over after Jielianna. Her presentation was well, but I would have loved for her to elaborate on her slides instead of just reading directly from it. Her tone would’ve shown more interest and knowledge of her topic and assignment. She was just speed reading and sounded very boring in my opinion. But I did like her slides with a chart style theme. The visual definitely caught my attention again to balance with her tone.

The next team member Jeanpaul I felt that he presented very well. He didn’t just read off the slides alone, but he further explained each point that he listed on his slides. The designs of slides were also not boring and caught the audience’s attention. Overall, he knew his topic and was able to thoroughly deliver it to the class.

Jeanpaul then passed it over to Jonathan. I love how his slides weren’t cramp with a whole lot of information but just enough for us to understand what he wanted us to. In addition to his speaking and explanation, it was easy for him to get his points across to his audience. I also loved his slides design like this other team members.

The next team member, which was Julia, jumped in. Her slides were simple but easy to understand and very well written. Yes, she did read from the slides, but it wasn’t just a brush of random information. Her tone showed that she did indeed know what she was talking about which was great.

Overall, I also loved this group’s chose of PowerPoint theme. The colors are not too bright nor dull. The images they added weren’t just taking up space but also connected to the information on the slides. I also feel that all the information was well presented.

              Last but not least, group #4 had chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Those chapters talked about informative speaking, persuasive speaking, understanding argument, distance speaking and media appearances and special occasion and group presentations.

Group #4 had 6 team members: Mia Rodriquez, Nikole Ulloa, Melanie Calderon, Sophia Desir, Rodachka Bellegarde, and Roodline Desir. Team member #1, which was Mia started off very well with knowledge of her topic. What I didn’t like was over crowding of some of her slides. But the added pink was pretty. I felt that she could’ve elaborated more on what was on her slides instead of just reading off the slides.

Mia then passed it on to Nikole. I felt like Nikole presented well but could have added some elaboration as well. But the slides were well put together and she knew her topic.

Next team member Melanie jumped in. I loved her slides and felt that the designs and charts were helpful in grabbing the audience’s attention. She also made some good points beyond what was on the slide, which is great.

I was the next team that had to present but had to do so on another day. I felt that I presented well but could have elaborated more and done less slides.

Lastly from group 4 was Rodachka, I liked her part of the presentation but felt that she could have made a few points besides completely reading off her slides.

Overall, this first assignment was a bit rocky for us because at the beginning we had a new team member who ended up leaving the class. Then also we had to present on different days, which wasn’t a problem but also didn’t have that opportunity to show the teamwork compared to the other groups. And lastly, some of the group members were confused but if we meet those problem could have been solved. All in all, I felt that we did a good job but there wasn’t enough communication which we are working since I’ve become the new leader. We are a stronger team now and I know we will continue to improve as we go because we are here for each other whenever we need help. We are not a lazy group but a strong group now that is working together compared to before when we couldn’t meet because of team members who is no longer in group 4. She decided to talk on a leadership role without us talking about it first but wasn’t willing to complete the tasks that comes with it. For example, answering questions (which I helped with a lot), and trying your best to get all your team members into the blog instead if ignoring their questions. Those were some of the examples of the push backs that our group experienced in this assignment.

To conclude, I really felt that these first presentations went really well and were well put together. I really enjoyed all the group’s presentation, and I believe we all were able to learn a multitude of things to help and guide us in the future.