Preparing for a Live Zoom Class Presentation: Tips and Tricks
In the new normal of remote learning and work, Saira Reyes, the Engineering Correspondent, provides valuable insights on how to effectively prepare for a lab-heavy semester, specifically focusing on delivering engaging Zoom presentations.
Preparation is key when it comes to delivering a successful presentation, and this holds true for remote presentations as well. To start, plan and structure your content carefully, defining your core message and objectives early. For a technical audience like in a chemical engineering lab, create a logical flow, typically using a problem-solution framework supported by data and evidence from your experiments or findings. Prepare detailed slides with clear visuals, avoiding clutter, to support your explanation of complex chemical processes or results.
Understanding your audience is another crucial aspect. Know their background and what challenges or questions they might have related to chemical engineering topics during the pandemic, such as lab safety protocols, experimental adjustments, or remote collaboration. Anticipate questions to prepare confident responses.
Setting up your environment for technical quality is also essential. Choose a quiet room and position your camera to frame yourself well within the screen so you appear professional and focused. Adjust microphone settings to minimize background noise, which was vital during remote work in the pandemic.
Engaging your audience is vital in a Zoom presentation, as it helps combat Zoom fatigue common during prolonged remote meetings. On Zoom, keep your audience involved by asking direct questions, inviting opinions, and encouraging participation. This also mirrors the interactive, collaborative environment familiar to lab work.
Preparing to handle questions is another important step. Allocate time for Q&A and use features like raising hands or chat for orderly responses. In a scientific context, clarify complex points patiently and back answers with evidence or data where possible to maintain credibility.
Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true for Zoom presentations. Since presenting technical chemical engineering content remotely can be challenging during the COVID-19 shift to virtual labs, rehearse your presentation multiple times using Zoom’s recording feature to refine pacing, clarity, and slide transitions.
For effective practice, consider writing flashcards, practicing with friends, or asking friends outside of the class to listen to your presentation over Zoom. Presenting on Zoom can be nerve-racking, but preparing ahead for the different format can help ensure a successful presentation.
In addition to the above strategies, utilising Zoom-specific tools can enhance your presentation. The default mode when screen sharing a PowerPoint presentation on Zoom is full screen. However, using full screen plus annotation mode allows for active use of the cursor, making annotations and making the presentation more interactive. Dual screen mode also allows you to split your screen and have presentation notes or the chat open while presenting.
By following these strategies, you can effectively turn a laboratory-based research proposal into a remote project, ensuring a successful and engaging presentation for your audience.
Incorporating technology into education-and-self-development, digital tools such as Zoom's annotation and dual screen modes can significantly improve the interactivity and quality of remote presentations, aligning well with the need for effective lifestyle adjustments in the new normal. To cater for a technical audience during the pandemic, it's essential to design presentations around a problem-solution framework, leveraging technology to deliver clear, organized content and engage viewers, thereby facilitating education and self-development in a lab-heavy semester.
