Killer introductions

Today, I thought it'd be good to share the research I've been doing, about how to create an interesting and exciting presentation. As you know, I have recently prepared a PowerPoint presentation for a 'micro-teach' session online, which was to be part of the interview process. I was pleased with the basic presentation but wanted to make my teaching session stand out from the rest (in a good way!) So, I hunted around on YouTube for some advice that would be straightforward to apply. I also wanted to see something that would impress me, if I were the interviewer. I didn't want anything too 'off the wall,' because I knew the interviewers were representing an educational establishment and that the classes are (currently) funded by their local council.

I found a great short video by Lighthouse Communications called 'Killer Introductions' you can access it here https://youtu.be/aGEFtRwPhE4. They demonstrate on the video how to put their four step technique into practice and I thought it was just what my presentation needed. Here are the four steps they describe:

Step One

You start with a 'hook' which means something really interesting to draw the viewer in straight away. Your hook can be a question, a shocking statistic, a question, a metaphor or a story.

Step Two

Transition into your topic. For example, adapt the sentence 'you might be wondering what 'your hook' has to do with 'your topic'.

Step Three

Now (not at the start!) it's time to briefly introduce yourself and explain something interesting about yourself, that relates directly to your topic. You can also give a brief preview of your talk at this stage. It is important not to get into a full biography here, keep it brief and relevant.

Step Four

The benefit to your audience. Explain what they will gain from listening to your presentation. Be specific! (Don't assume they already know).

When I thought about this process, I decided to add a slide to start things off as my 'hook' and rejiggle my slides, so I could introduce myself at stage three. My question was 'have you ever looked at a painting like this and wondered what on earth it's about?'

Kandinsky's 'Circles

I'm glad to say, the interview went really well and I got the job (subject to references of course). So my next tasks will be to start preparing a ten week course, and learn how to use googleclassroom. How exciting!