Skip to main content

So You Have to Give a Speech in Your Online Class…



One of the perceived benefits of taking an online class, particularly for introverts, is that you are not expected to verbally speak up in class. Most online courses are based on reading and writing, which makes it a favorite for introverted types. You’re thinking you may get through college without a single speech at all. 

And then you find out you have to give a speech in your online class.  

Sometimes, these recorded speeches are associated with classes that are connected to public speaking, such as communications or marketing. But other times, they simply serve as part of a project – regardless of the subject matter.

A fear of public speaking does not have to be a hindrance in life, or in your class. In fact some of our culture's most gifted speakers were at one time terrified of speaking in public. Some well-known examples include Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Warren Buffet. These public figures successfully overcame their fears, and so can you. Here are a few tips to help you rise to the task at hand with confidence:

Watch a few other speeches.

Go watch a few Ted Talks and observe how speakers use their facial expressions, pitch of voice and pace to exude confidence. Find a style that fits you and emulate it.

Lower your pitch of voice and slow down.

Speaking too quickly is one indication of nervousness. Be purposeful in speaking more slowly. Also, try to speak an octave or so lower than you usually do – you’ll come across as more professional. Don’t forget to take a pause (maybe 2 seconds) after you make a key point.
Write out your speech.

Initially, write out what you want to say, but keep it in a conversational tone with simpler words. Stick to no more than three points (whether your speech is short or long). Practice this a few times, and then frame your content in a series of questions. Use the questions to pretend you are interviewing yourself. You don’t have to stick to the exact phrases that you wrote out – at this point, you should know the content and can be yourself.

Dress the part.

Be comfortable but professional. Looking polished will give you an instant confidence boost.

Use body language.

Use your hands and facial expressions to illustrate a few points. Look into the camera (if recording) most of the time.

Do a couple of vocal exercises before you begin.

These vocal exercises can help you loosen up and avoid tripping over your words. Lip trills, humming and other exercises are commonly used devices during a speaking warmup.

Don't wait until the last day.

One way to ensure stress is to be unfamiliar with the recording technology. Aim for starting and completing your recording at least two days before your assignment is due. This will allow time for troubleshooting any technical issues.

Finally, go easy on yourself.

Remember that even the most practiced get nervous. You are likely doing far better than you think.


USG eCampus is a service unit of the University System of Georgia that assists SACSCOC-accredited USG institutions in administering quality, affordable, high-demand, post-secondary online degrees and credentials that address the workplace needs of Georgia and beyond.
-
By Austen Clay, anclay@ecampus.usg.edu
Media Contact: Katie Black, kblack@ecampus.usg.edu

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

3 Things to Consider Before Taking an Online Class While Overseas

Online Learning allows students the flexibility of continuing their educational journey from anywhere in the world. Online classes are an excellent option for students who are studying abroad for the semester, military members and families who are stationed overseas, or even those who want to take classes while traveling for pleasure. While online classes can usually be accessed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection, there are some things to consider before registering for class if you intend to complete the course while located outside of the U.S.  Availability of a Reliable Internet Connection To access most online classes, students must have a reliable internet connection. This may be a challenge in some areas of the world due to various issues such as local network instability, outages, firewalls, or restrictive local internet policies. Before registering for an online class, research the internet accessibility situation in the area in whi...
24 comments
Read more

University System of Georgia eCampus Offers Free Online Courses

Students can now take more than a dozen online non-credit college courses at no charge. While most students who take FreeCampus courses already attend USG colleges and universities, the courses are open to anyone. These self-paced courses are also asynchronous with traditional graded assessments. After successfully completing a course online, a student can receive a certificate for earning a grade of 75 percent or higher. There is no penalty for not completing a course. With a focus on courses that are sometimes a barrier to college completion, the USG FreeCampus program allows students to better prepare themselves for credit-bearing courses. For example, a dual-enrolled high school student can take an English composition course to hone his or her writing skills before taking the for-credit version at a College or University. An adult learner who is returning to college after years away can brush up on math, increasing both confidence and future academic performance. USG eCampus also ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dual Enrollment Success Rates on the Rise in eCore Classes

2018, Vol. 1 Georgia’s dual enrollment non-need based grant has resulted in increased dual credit participation. According to University System of Georgia (USG) enrollment reports, the increase in dual enrollments over the last two years was over 50 percent, representing a 3,500 student gain across the system. These students are earning college credits face-to-face and online. Dual credit eCore students achieved ABC rates at over 90 percent!   2,100 Courses Taken, 90% Earned College Credit Research indicates that students participating in dual credit programs show an increase in college persistence, grade point average, and college graduation (An, 2015; Hoffman, Vargas & Santos, 2009: Hughes 2010). Most USG dual enrolled students attend courses face-to-face at around 88 percent for FY17. There are several reasons why a high school student may require an online option to attend a USG institution. The state of Georgia has over 100 counties that are de...
Post a Comment
Read more