During the semester, COMM 1300 students choose and complete three (3) passport activities designed to enhance their public speaking abilities. These activities enable one to be "admitted" as an effective public speaker and graduate of the course. All assignments will be turned in on the date due. Late assignments are subject to late penalties according to the syllabus.

Computer-based Training

You must complete at least one computer-based laboratory/training session. To enroll come to HLMS 87 and sign up during the first week of classes. Due to limited seating in the computer labs, only those who have signed up may attend these sessions. Do not "show up" without enrolling. Once enrolled, you are expected to be present for the session and if not, it counts as a class absence. ALL TRAININGS START PROMPTLY AT THE SCHEDULED TIME AND LAST FOR 50 MINUTES. Three types of computer training are offered.

Attention COMMUNICATION MAJORS! All COMM majors are strongly encouraged to attend both A and C. These are research-oriented computer skills that other COMM courses require. Spaces are not reserved for you. It is your responsibility to enroll for the trainings.

Activity A: Internet Research Lab (50 points possible)

This "hands on" computer training is designed to help you use the World Wide Web to research information for your speeches. You will learn how to utilize various search engines, choose accurate locator words, narrow the focus of topic, evaluate website information, and cite electronic sources according to APA guidelines. Your research should focus on your demonstration speech topic. Have a demonstration topic idea in mind prior to attending this session.

When: During Weeks Two, Three and Four

Wednesday, January 24, 11:00-11:50 a.m.
Thursday, January 25, 2:00-2:50 p.m.
Friday, January 26, 10:00-10:50 a.m.
Monday, January 29, 9:00 - 9:50 a.m.
Tuesday, January 30, 2:00-2:50 p.m.
Wednesday, January 31, 11:00-11:50 a.m.
Thursday, February 1, 11:00-11-50 a.m.
Friday, February 2, 2:00-2:50 p.m.
Monday, February 5, 3:00-3:50 p.m.
Tuesday, February 6, 11:00-11:50 p.m.

Where: Stadium 350, Gate 11, 3rd Floor (This computer lab is located at the extreme Northeast corner of Folsom Stadium. Allow time to get to the session).

Limit: 20 students per session x 10 sessions = 200 student limit

Outcome: If you attend and receive an attendance slip, you may turn that slip in to your teacher for a C level grade. If you turn in the attendance slip with a 1-2 page typewritten report detailing what you learned in the session and how you used the information specifically to research your demonstration speech you will receive a B level grade. If you turn in the attendance slip, 1-2 page report, and successfully complete the homework assignment given at the lab you will receive an A level grade for this activity.

Due date: Monday, February 12 (MWF classes), Tuesday, February 13 (TR classes)

Activity B: PowerPoint Training Session (50 points possible)

This "hands on" computer training is designed to help you learn how to use Microsoft PowerPoint, a presentation software.  You will learn how to produce quality transparencies for your research informative and persuasive speeches. Specifically, you will learn how to use PowerPoint templates, design attractive lettering and color, create graphs/charts, and import clipart/pictures. You will also learn how to print out slides and make them into transparencies when you do not have computer and projector equipment available for presentations. Each student should bring a diskette to the training session. Your focus will be your demonstration speech topic (even if you have already given this speech).

When: During Weeks 4 and 5

Wednesday, February 7, 9:00-9:50 a.m.
Thursday, February 8, 4:00-4:50 p.m.
Friday, February 9, 2:00-2:50 p.m.
Monday, February 12, 8:00-8:50 a.m.
Tuesday, February 13, 2:00-2:50 p.m.
Wednesday, February 14, 3:00-3:50 p.m.
Thursday, February 15, 3:00-3:50 p.m.
Friday, February 16, 9:00-9:50 a.m.
Monday, February 19, 9:00-9:50 a.m.
Tuesday, February 20, 1:00-1:50 p.m.

Where: Stadium 350, Gate 11, 3rd Floor (This computer lab is located at the extreme Northeast corner of Folsom Stadium. Allow time to get to the session).

Limit: 20 students per session x 6 sessions = 120 students

Outcome: You will practice designing PowerPoint slides related to your demonstration speech topic (Do not worry if you have already given your speech. Use of the topic gives you a focus for the practice session). If you attend and receive an attendance slip, you may turn that slip in to your teacher for a C level grade. If you turn in the attendance slip with a 1-2 page typewritten report detailing what you learned in the session and how you specifically applied that knowledge to developing slides for your demonstration speech (even if it is after your speech) you will receive a B level grade. If you turn in the attendance slip, 1-2 page report, and copies of four slides you have created for use in an upcoming speech you will receive an A level grade for this assignment.
Note: At least one must be a title slide, one, a "bullet" slide of main points, and one, a slide with clip art or a picture.

Due date: Thursday, February 22 (TR classes), Friday, February 23 (MWF classes)

Activity C : Library Research Lab (50 points possible)

This "hands on" computer training is designed to help you use the Norlin Library computer system to produce quality supporting material for your research informative and persuasive speeches. You will learn how to search library databases for books, magazine articles, newspaper articles, and government documents. You will learn how to match databases with subjects, choose accurate words, narrow the focus of the topic, evaluate sources, and cite sources in APA style. Your research should focus on your research informative speech topic - your dream career.

When: During class periods, Week 8

Wednesday, March 7, 2001
Section 001: 8:00-8:50 a.m. Norlin E160
Section 002: 8:00-8:50 a.m. Stadium 350
Section 003: 10:00-10:50 a.m. Norlin E160
Section 004: 11:00-11:50 a.m. Norlin E160
Section 005: 12:00-12:50 p.m. Norlin E160
Section 007: 2:00-2:50 p.m. Norlin E160

Thursday, March 8, 2001
 Section 009: 8:00-8:50 a.m. Norlin E160
Section 010: 12:30-1:20 p.m. Norlin E160
Section 011: 2:00-2:50 p.m. Norlin E160
Section 012: 3:30-4:20 p.m. Norlin E160

Where: Norlin Library E160 (This Instruction Lab is located immediately to your right when you enter the East side revolving doors.) or Stadium 350, Gate 11, 3rd Floor (This computer lab is located at the extreme Northeast corner of Folsom Stadium. Allow time to get to the session.)

Limit: 20 students per session x 10 sessions = 200 students

Outcome: If you attend and receive an attendance slip, you may turn that slip in to your teacher for a C level grade. If you turn in the attendance slip with a 1-2 page typewritten report detailing what you learned in the session and how you used the information to research your informative speech you will receive a B level grade. If you turn in the attendance slip, 1-2 page report, and successfully complete the homework assignment given at the lab you will receive an A level grade for this activity.

Due date: Thursday, March 15 (TR classes), Friday, March 16 (MWR classes)

 

Self-Evaluation

For these activities you will use the videotapes of your speeches in order to micro-analyze your strengths and weaknesses in both content and delivery. You may choose to do one, none, or both papers. The first paper focuses on your first two speeches (self-introduction and informative demonstration) and the second paper focuses on your last two speeches (research informative and persuasive).

Activity D: Self-Evaluation Paper #1 (50 points possible)

For this 3-5 page paper, evaluate the videotape of your first two speeches (self-introduction and informative demonstration). Target areas of strength and areas of weakness in both content and delivery, and develop a plan of action to improve both. Support all statements with evidence from your videotapes, self-evaluations, teacher evaluations, class feedback and discussion, lecture, and readings. Show first that a strength or weakness exists, citing your evidence, then identify why you think this is a strength or weakness (e.g. "I did not preview my information. This was evident because a preview was missing from my outline. I think this is a weakness because Osborn and Osborn discuss the value of previewing in chapter seven, especially in helping the audience listen intelligently").

After citing strengths and weakness, use your textbook and other reference material (see books on reserve in Norlin Library) to develop a plan of action that addresses ONE weakness in content and ONE weakness in delivery. The plan of action should state specifically what characteristics you aim to achieve, what behaviors you must change to do so, and what resources, tools, methods of research, etc. you must seek out to effect these changes.

As always, your paper must be typed, double-spaced, stapled, and properly headed with name, course and section, teacher, essay and date.

Due date: Thursday, March 1 (TR classes), Friday, March 2 (MWF classes)

Activity E: Self-Evaluation Paper #2 (50 points possible)

Follow the instructions above (Activity D: Self-Evaluation Paper #1) for observation of the last two major speeches (research informative and persuasive).

Due Date: Monday, April 30 (MWF classes), Tuesday, May 1 (TR classes)

 

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