Online/Internet WI-Personal and Public Speech 151 is an introductory course designed to increase your understanding of basic communication processes so that you can improve your communication skills.  The course is divided into three units: (1) Interviewing, (2) group/team communication, (3) and public speaking.  By the end of the course, students will have become more competent interviewers/interpersonal communicators; group/team communicators; and public speakers.  By the end of this course students will obtain skills needed to function and communicate effectively in today's electronically mediated society.

Students will accomplish these skills through several assignments: First you will interview a classmate and introduce that classmate to our class. You will begin a Web Log starting the first week of class (or even sooner if you want). You will present some material from our text in an individual presentation and in team presentations. You will present several short speeches using videoconferencing type technology using Web Cameras with NetMeeting or Yahoo Messenger or ichat(Mac). You have one Major informative speech/presentation that you will videotape and send to me. All of these assignments are described in greater detail below.

Blogging: 

Everyone in class will keep a Web Log or "Blog" for the entire semester. As ABC News reported, on December 30, 2004, "A blog — short for "web log" — is an online personal journal that covers topics ranging from daily life to technology to culture to the arts to political views [and in our case communication]. Blogs have made such an impact this year that Merriam-Webster named it the word of the year."

Blogging (keeping and maintaining a weblog) has become a cyber craze. It has become a way for millions of Bloggers (those who compose a blog) to communicate their thoughts, ideas and opinions to the world. On most blogs viewers/readers can submit comments to the blog they are visiting. It has become another communication tool in a technological age. I suggest that each of your entries has something to do with communication, or school, or at the least includes a word that suggests communication or education. Essentially you can write about anything. You could also include digital images, links, and even video clips (called "vlogging" for video log). I also suggest that each entry have an introduction a body and a conclusion so that you can get into the habit of this type of organization. The content of your Web Log is up to you. This is a Writing Intensive class and keeping a Blog is one way to fulfill the requirements of the class. I expect you to create a blog that is informative and even enjoyable to read. I would like you to make entries throughout the semester. I also want you to read each other's blog and comment to each other. You will want to send me your "Blog" URL as soon as possible so that I can put together a list of everyone's Blog URL and post it on WebCT. If you are already a blogger then just send me your URL to your blog. The easiest place to go to start your own FREE Blog is to Google's Blogger Site at: http://www.blogger.com/ It is suprisingly easy to use. You will be blogging in a matter of minutes. I suggest that you include a picture in your blog profile so that we can all see who our classmates are.

Interviewing: 

First you will exchange bio-sheet answers via email (or you could switch with classmates from your Island) with a classmate/interview partner.  Then you may use some of the information from the bio-sheet to develop a list of questions (an interview schedule) to interview a classmate in order to reduce uncertainty, and to become familiar with the interviewing process and your classmates.  Your interview schedule will include an opening, a body with at least 20 questions and at least 10 of them open questions, and a closing.  You will interview a classmate using one of several options. The best interview would be a face to face interview with someone on your Island. The next best interviewing option would be a phone call. A less interactive option is using chat or Instant Messaging on the computer. The final option is an email interview where the interviewer sends the questions via email and the interviewee sends the responses in an email. You will record the information (field notes) gathered from your interview and develop an outline based on the information you would like to share with our class about your interviewee. 

You will then share the information with our class in the form of a brief but memorable presentation. The presentation can be in several forms. You could videtape the presentation and produce a digital video and post it on the web. Another option for presentation is to create a Web Page (if you are web savvy) introducing your classmate. If you put up a visual aid (Photos of your interviewee, artist's like rendering) you would receive extra credit  Another option to present the information you gathered is by using a PowerPoint presentation and uploading it to WebCT for all of us to view (pictures of your classmate would receive extra credit). Your final option of presentation is to use the Message Board in WebCT and post an introduction essay of your classmate. No matter what option you choose you will all use the same format to organize your information. This format will include an introduction, body and conclusion. There are basic elements that you will include in all three main sections of your presentation. You can find the format in an MS Word Introduction Speech outline template at: http://www.hawaii.edu/mauispeech/documents/introjackoutlinewordtemplate.doc

This is our first opportunity to learn about each other.  You may include a Visual Aid (extra credit).  This can be a drawing, painting, collage, and/or some form of visual representation of the person you will be introducing to our class.  Have fun with this opportunity.  Your enthusiasm builds our enthusiasm for the person you will be introducing. We won't be able to see or hear your enthusiasm so you need to make sure that we can "read between the lines" and see how enthusiastic you are about introducing your classmate to us.

Interviewing Opportunities:

Additional interview opportunities will be to develop an INTERVIEW SCHEDULE for the interview of a person outside of class.  You are required to do at least one additional interview after the interview of a classmate.  You may do an interview in order to gather information for your Team Project to gain a better understanding of your topic/issue, and to further develop your interviewing skills.  Another interview could be for your informative speech to gather information for your speech.  READ our text & check out the Public Speakers' Site pertaining to interviewing.

Presentations From Text:
These "Presentations" are in place of tests and quizzes. You will first summarize information from our text. You will all be assigned a section from Chapters 1 and 2. You will share the summary with our classmates by posting a message of the summary of the section that you were responsible for. You will have a section from Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. I will assign you a section from the text that you are responsible for.

You will also work with a Team to present an entire Chapter to our classmates. You will summarize your chapter on the message board. You can include a PowerPoint presentation for extra credit. Or if you have audio capability and want to send streaming audio that would be extra effort and would receive extra credit. Have Fun and teach your classmates about your section/chapter using the technology available.

Team Project:     

You will be randomly assigned to a Team/Task Force--Most likely with classmates from your Island.  Your team will identify any issue/problem/areas of potential improvement related to MCC and/or UH.  You could focus on an area on campus or an issue(s) in the community and/or neighboring Islands dealing with any issue(s) related to MCC or the University of Hawai'i.   Each group member will then research the issue/problem by reading at least one article, or another secondary source, relating to the issue/problem and summarizing the article for your team members.  Next, each Team will interview (at least) one individual outside of class who has first hand information on your topic (primary source).  Prior to your interview you will develop an interview schedule. 

Each team will work through the six steps of the Problem Solving Format (Handouts outlining the Problem Solving Format are available in your Handout Packet).  After completing all six steps of the Problem Solving Format each Team will decide how to best share the information with the class and the community.  You have several options: (1) Develop a Web Page; (2) Create a PowerPoint Presentation; (3) Create a Videotaped Presentation or Public Service Announcement; (4) Create a Radio Spot -- complete with a Radio Script to submit to a local station.

For Extra Credit each Team could follow the issue/problem through and create their proposed presentation of the message or direct their proposal to the appropriate person(s), place, office, organization, committee, or wherever the group decides that the information and solution(s) will be best received and put to use.  Extra credit will be based on your amount of effort and creativeness.  You can begin preparation now by generating a list of issues you are interested in addressing concerning the future of MCC and UH.  Be creative, and choose an issue that is interesting to you and your group, and will be interesting to our class.  You can read chapters 9 &10 in our text about enhancing group and team performance.

Public Speaking:

Your first presentation will be the introduction of your partner.  You will have the opportunity to present several other times in class.  Two such times will be when you present the Bad Speech and the Vision Speech that are each 2-minute speeches. You will present these speeches either in person, on a videotaped or digital video submission or in a videoconference using a Web Camera with me.  You will have the opportunity to present three Impromptu speeches via a videoconference with me and possibly some of our classmates. As a last resort we could use the Voice function on AOL Instant Messaging or as a really last resort we could just IM each other.  You will be given a prompt and you will give a short response to the prompt. 

You will also do at least two Team Presentations of Chapters from our text.  You will be assigned the Team that you will present with and the Chapters that you will present. You can videotape a presentation and submit it, however, you may want to choose another format: a Detailed PowerPoint presentation; a Web Page; or an audio record of the presentation that could be streamed to the internet, as a last resort you could use the Message Board in WebCT and compose a detailed summary of your Team's chapter.

Major Speech:
You will give one major individual presentation.  The presentation will be an informative speech where you will be informing the class about SOMETHING THAT YOU KNOW  WELL. A good topic would be one you are interested in, and are knowledgeable on.  For example: Hiking; bicycling; music; surfing; diving; painting; photography; the Internet; Web page design; computers; the History of Green Tea; or any other topic you think you could competently inform our class about---and your audience (our class) will find intellectually stimulating.  It is very important that you choose a topic that is interesting to you and you are motivated to share your information with us.  You can find a long list of potential topics on The Public Speakers' Web Site.

If you are having trouble coming up with a topic, please ask me--I can help you brainstorm one.  You could also ask your friends and family for help deciding on a topic. Fine tune your listening skills, and follow the schedule.  If you have any questions please ask.

Begin Preparation Now:  First start a list of possible topics/issues that you are interested in and you think you could inform the class about.  From your list decide which ones you are most interested in and committed to.  Then let me know what topics you have chosen.  After you decide on a topic you can begin to develop a specific purpose, and a central idea/thesis statement. Now, with a better idea of the direction of your topic, you need to develop an audience analysis questionnaire.  Once you have analyzed your audience you will want to tailor your specific purpose and central idea to better fit your audience.  With a concise specific purpose, and clear central idea in hand you are now ready to gather materials and information for your speech. 

Once you have researched your topic you can now put together a preparation outline for your speech. The informative speech organization materials and sample outlines will also be helpful as you prepare for your informative speech.  There is a Word 97 Template of an Informative Speech Preparation Outline that is available on the Public Speakers' Web Site that will help you to prepare your informative speech preparation outline. I hope it will also save you some time. As with the other assignments there are several ways you can present your final speech to me and our class.

Option 1 for the Informative Speech: Videotape your speech and send a VHS tape of your speech to me (You could also use DV Video format or you could create a CD-ROM or DVD with you Speech on it). You will need to include footage of your audience. Your audience should consist of at least 10 or more members. Audience members can be co-workers, friends, family members, and classmates.

Option 2 for the Informative Speech: If you are on Maui you can schedule an appointment with me and present to me (you would need to supply 9 other audience members -- I could even travel to your venue if needed) or you could present to another one of my 151sections if I can schedule you in one of my sections.

Option 3 for the Informative Speech: If there are more than 4 students on your Island then I may be able to travel to your Island to be available for your presentations -- those of you on that island would need to coordinate our classmates to meet as a Team and all present at once (You would also need to supplement the audience to make it at least 10 including all the presenters and me. That would be the easiest of the options and a very benificial one.

Evaluation:

Throughout this course you will be evaluating your classmates' speeches (when applicable), and other presentations (PowerPoint, Web Sites, Essays).  After you evaluate your Classmate's presentation you will give them feedback to help them improve their communication skills and to help yourself gain a better understanding of how others communicate.  The evaluations will also help you better understand how you communicate and what you can do to improve your communication skills.  You will learn from others and they will learn from your valuable feedback.

The course is designed to teach you techniques of critical analysis and evaluation by giving and receiving evaluations.  You are expected to participate in the constructive process of evaluating other student's presentations and communication styles.  By observing and evaluating others performing a skill you will learn through the successes and failures of others--the improvements and progress of others.  We are a team in this class and the more effort we put into helping our classmates improve with our evaluations and constructive feedback during all presentations the more we will improve our own communication skills.  Don't be afraid to help others improve.  There is difference between a Critique of your work and being Criticized.  Feedback and Critiques from your peers will be extremely helpful in this class.  It is not personal it is business.  You are not evaluating the person. You are evaluating the work--the speech.  Don't take it personal.  We are all here to learn and to help each other learn.

If you put more effort than is expected from you into this class, and into your assignments throughout the semester--you are assured to achieve the course outcomes and more .  I encourage you to contact me often, and as soon as possible. I have a phone and virtual office hours that will help you interact with me on a regular basis.

Help me help you succeed!