All,



Please check out the helpful information below complements of the International Museum Theatre Alliance.



Public Speaking for Museum Professionals





•       Major elements of Public Speaking



•       Physical Technique

o       Eye Contact

         Nose out of Notes

         Find a friendly face (anchor points)

o       Being Grounded

          Opens breathing

          Gives confidence

o       Gestures

         Give them purpose

         Consider scripting them if you don’t do enough

         Consider Banning them if you do too many

o       Breathing

         We all do it, but very few know how

         Practice breathing – Focus on Breathe

o       Take a drink



•       Vocal Technique

o       Pauses

o       Inflection

o       Volume

o       Annunciation

o       Speed of voice

o       Tempo of speech pattern

o       Warm-ups

         Tongue massage; Horse lips; Stretch the jaw; Gross chews



•       Mental Technique

o       Know your material

o       Know your audience

o       Know the expectations

         Time

         Purpose

         Audience’s goal for coming - didn’t come for the tech

o       Believe in what you’re saying – “Passion”



•       Writing Technique

o       State your purpose

o       Start Strong, End Strong

o       Humor: To joke or not to joke

         Humor is Shared Language

         Test – Test - Test

o       Annotate your Script/Outline

o       Repeat your major points

o       Sum your conclusion

o       Repeat questions during Q&A



•       Technical Tools

o       Notes

         What form should they take

•       Outline vs. Scripted

•       Note cards vs. Papers

o       PowerPoint

         Pointers

•       Meet with your group at least once in person before

•       Body to Screen positioning

•       Talk with the IT or facilities person beforehand

         Technical

•       Opening file (double left-click on your file)

•       Turning on slide show (F5)

•       Forwarding slide (N)

•       Backing up if mistake is made (P)

       Layout

•       Pictures

o       Speak 1,000 words

o       More interesting than you (good or bad)

•       Large font size

•       Words or phrases – not paragraphs

•       3-4 sub-points per outline

o       Handouts

         Why do we give them?

         Pros - Information is disseminated

         Cons - You provide your own distraction

•       If you want them to read, PUBLISH!

         Styles of Handouts

•       Copy of your Powerpoint

•       Visuals/Outline to follow along with

•       Written out version of your talk

•       Always give ways to follow up for more info





o       Microphone

         Change the height once

         Speak loudly

         Face the microphone

         Try a “sound check” with a friend before hand



o       Lectern

       Where should I stand?

•       Behind or Beside

       Not a shield, don’t hide

       Use to your advantage



•       Put it in Practice

o       Public Speaking is a skill and art form

         You don’t get better overnight

         It takes PRACTICE!



For Further information:



Toastmasters - www.toastmasters.org

- Support learning group for speechmakers and growing public speakers.

A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking.

- by O'Hair, Rubenstein, Stewart. Bedford/St. Martin's; New York, 2006.

Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking: A Proven Method

- Houghton Mifflin College 1998

International Museum Theater Alliance – www.imtal.org

        - Dedicated to the use of Theater as an educational tool in Museums



Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions:



Paul Taylor at [log in to unmask]





-Paul





-----Original Message-----

From: Paul Taylor

Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 10:42 AM

To: 'Informal Science Education Network'

Subject: RE: Conference Presenting Tips?



Jonah,



Please see attached document which has a lot of helpful information complements of the International Museum Theatre Alliance.



-Paul



-----Original Message-----

From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jonah Cohen

Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 10:21 AM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Conference Presenting Tips?



ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.

*****************************************************************************



What the hey, I'll bring this one up...



The ASTC Conference starts in 9 days... any tips for session presenters on things to do/not do to make for a better experience for conference-goers?



Jonah Cohen

Outreach & Public Programs Manager

The Children's Museum





"That's the problem with being a chemist. You never actually think."



            -Dr. Barnaby Fulton, "Monkey Business"











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