Page 333 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

Does the closing contain conclusions, recommendations, and/or a strong
ending statement?

Be prepared for questions. Think about possible questions and prepare
answers, especially those possible questions that you are most anxious about.
Keep your answers short and to the point.

The team felt good about the script they’d put together for their presentation. It started with a
series of slides:

Slide 1: Edmund Hillary, as Jennifer narrated his accomplishment in climbing Mt. Everest...Slide 2:
An image of Hillary’s climbing team, as Jennifer narrated how many people were involved and two
of the most critical teamwork roles for the team. This continues through all 10 occasions where a
largely uncredited team and their collaboration made an incredible accomplishment possible. (Neil
Armstrong, Jonas Salk, Helen Keller, Charles Lindbergh, Mother Teresa, etc.)

The remainder of their presentation included a brief listing of how each role the team ended up
using can not only facilitate the smooth and productive functioning of a team, but add value and
quality to the final product the team produces.

Their presentation concluded with an overview of how each person in the group, by performing
within their role, made this presentation possible. The final slide included a listing of “credits,”
naming each team member by name, role, and accomplishments.

Step 7—Test and Revise Communication

Test your communication before you deliver the final version. Obtain feedback and assessment from others
who are in a position to help you. For example, deliver a practice speech before presenting to your audience
or discuss a draft of your paper with your instructor before submitting the final copy. Based on the feedback
you receive, revise the message and/or the means in which the message is communicated accordingly.

Bribing one of Fred’s roommates with candy bars, the team practiced their presentation with him
as their audience. After the allotted ten minutes were up, the team stood in eager anticipation. “The
information was good,” he said. “I learned something. But it was boring. You spent, like, five minutes
between each segment navigating through your online slides and trying to coordinate them with the
CD player. And all that music was distracting.”

After he left, the team was forced to think about what media they were including based on personal
preference (Jennifer’s use of “Daydream Believer” by the Monkees to lead into assessment language,
for instance) and what was actually essential and served to strengthen the overall presentation.

Step 8—Deliver Communication

Send or deliver your communication.

Part of the reason Jennifer was selected by her team to be Spokesperson included their memory of
an effective oral presentation she delivered to the class earlier in the semester. Jennifer attributed
much of her success to how carefully she followed Professor Arbuckle’s handout which included
Tips for Delivering a Presentation, as well as an Oral Communication rubric.

Chapter 12 — Communication and Teamwork 327