and so
it went. it wasn't that great. but it wasn't bad. but we'll see what everyone thought next week i suppose. the new stuff went fine, but i didn't feel like people were getting it. not like i would have liked. anyway. there's the update. and i'll be going now.
2 Comments:
I bet I've spoken in front of way less groups than you, but I've spoken to some pretty big groups, some pretty small groups (which can sometimes even be harder, especially if they're close-knit and you've never met them before), and some pretty ignorant groups. Mind-numbingly ignorant groups.
Anyway, what I was going to say was that it really helps to put yourself in their shoes, if you can.
Like, think about what you know that they'd WANT to know, think about what you know that they SHOULD know, think about what you just shouldn't bother with (and make a point of omitting any reference to it, as to avoid lengthy q&a later), and (perhaps most importantly) imagine their voices...how THEY might explain the things I'm going to say, if they had my knowledge on the topic.
I know it seems weird, but before I walk into a room to teach someone something, I also like to sort of picture them harassing me in my head. I picture them mentally critiquing the way I'm standing, where my eyes focus in the room, whether or not my hands are shaking, whether or not I'm someone who looks down on them, someone who's sucking up to them, someone who doesn't know what I'm talking about, etc. It goes on and on. And I try to make sure that I have a game plan for either not having these problems in the first place (check teeth in bathroom, put on extra deodorant, stand up straight), or for dealing with them as they arise.
In high school for example, this might've meant preemptively coming up with a response to someone who interrupts my safe sex lecture to sneer that only spics and fags get AIDS, instead of staring at them in speechless disbelief.
That prep work combined with the occasional hand out, fun demo, and big friendly (sincere) smile have been my saving graces many times over. :D
That safe sex lecture story is freaking horrifying. What an ass that kid was....
Glad the presentation went well for you, Brett. And glad your presentations have gone well as well, Cat.
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