An understanding of how communication works can help us make sense of today’s pressing problems and devise solutions for them.

To develop that communication competence, you must become a more mindful communicator and vigilantly self-monitor. Competent communicators have cognitive knowledge about communication that they have drawn from observations and instruction; understand that individual, social, and cultural contexts that affect competence; and are able to adapt to those various contexts.

Objectives: In completing this presentation, you will

apply analytical skills to interpreting, using, and delivering information

create a professional and appropriate multimedia presentation for a specified purpose and audience

demonstrate your understanding of communication processes in a specified setting

Skills: This presentation will give you a chance to 

Practice self-awareness by critically considering the role of your own communication skills and style in your workplace* communication problem;

Describe what you learned about the importance of communication competence to avoiding or mitigating workplace* communication problems like yours;

Articulate how you aim to resolve your workplace communication problem and improve your communication with others.

Background: Please begin this assignment by reading the following information carefully. n.b. These instructions are available in both the Weeks 7 and 8 content areas.

For this project you will use a multimedia presentation format of your choice that includes a voiceover component, to create a presentation to your classmates and instructor that explains and reflects on what you learned about a communication theory and how it can be used to understand and potentially resolve your workplace* communication problem. 

(*Remember, if you are not employed or cannot discuss your workplace, you should be using a communication problem from another organizational setting in which you are involved for your final project, such as school, church, or a community group.) 

Follow these steps to complete the assignment.

Step 1: Write the script for a 5-7 minute multimedia presentation in which you explain and reflect on what you learned about a communication theory and how you could use it to explain and potentially resolve the workplace* communication problem that you explored.

Content: Address the following in your presentation:

Tell your classmates about your workplace* communication problem and the communication theory you explored. How can it be used to resolve other communication problems?

Explain what you learned from this investigation about communication in the workplace* that will help you in your career?

Explain what you learned about your own communication skills and style from this investigation. What improvements do you think you should make in them?

Why is understanding communication in organizations important?

Format: You will want to edit, revise and edit your script again. Once you know what you want to say and how to say it, attach your script as a transcript in Word .doc, .docx, or .rtf format only to your presentation or copy it into the “Notes” section at the bottom of each slide. If you use a Word document attached to your presentation, you can simply double-space the text, indent the paragraphs, number the pages, and include a title, your name, and the date centered at the top of the first page.  

Make sure to use quoted, paraphrased, and summarized material from your research in the script and to source it using APA-style citations and references.

Step 2: Using free presentation software on the internet that permits narration or a voiceover, create and record your presentation. Options: Animaker, Animoto, eMaze, Debut, Focusky, Google Slides, Jing, Kizoa, Loom, PowerPoint, PowToon, Prezi, Screencastify, Screencast-o-matic, S’more, Snag-It, Spark, Sutori, Sway, YouTube video, VideoScribe, Vimeo, Voki, and Vyond (formerly GoAnimate), etc. Make sure any free trial version of the software that you choose does not expire before this class ends. As an alternative, you may want to purchase presentation software at a substantial discount through UMGC’s partner On the Hub.

To edit the images or video for your presentations, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) recommends Tinywow.com’s free tools. You can learn how to use them here among the other digital editing tools from the SPJ’s Journalist’s Toolbox Channel on YouTube. Visit the Journalist’s Toolbox to learn about closed-captioning, transcription, fact-checking, and other digital editing tools.

If you choose to complete a PowerPoint, go to the “PowerPoint Creation Guide” in the Course Resources for design guidance. For help with Google Slides, go to Using Google Slides. For help designing a PowerPoint, see this Introduction to Slide Presentations. Each of the other free software options provides instructions on its website.

Requirements:

5-7 minutes in length

Narrate the presentation in a clear, conversational voice

Include a complete script or captions of your comments

Double-space the text, indent the paragraphs, number the pages, and include a title, your name, and the date centered at the top of the first page

Make sure the script uses citations and references that conform to American Psychological Association-style rules for material quoted, paraphrased, or summarized from your research sources.

Design Tips

Use a title slide

Don’t put every word you will say on the slides

Do use keywords

Do use color (maximum of 3 colors for text)

Do keep the same background for each slide

Don’t use all capitals (the hills and valleys of lowercase letters are easier for the eye to make out)

Do keep the slides uncluttered (spaces around the words or pictures where the eye can rest)

Do use pictures, diagrams or video clips to add interest

Do be creative