Introductory Academic English Week 2 Quiz

Week 2: Presentation Skills – In-Group Work

• Introductory Academic English (210260) is the course.
• Nguyen Manh Cuong is the instructor.
• The week's focus is on presentation skills and group work.

Why Group Work?

• Group work promotes higher-order learning.
• Group work is an authentic assessment of academic skills.
• Group work enhances employability.
• Recruiters value group work experience.
• Academic group work is more challenging than professional group work.
• There are differences in perspectives (deep vs. surface, active vs. passive) between group work.

Challenges of Academic Group Work

• Synthesizing information is challenging in individual and group work.
• Writing as a group is difficult.
• Lack of a designated lead author can complicate group writing.
• Diverse backgrounds, values, and experiences lead to difficulties.

Working with People You Dislike

• Working with people who are not a student's favorite is part of academia.
• Building the skill of working with others are key component for group work.
• Academia may contain individuals who may be arrogant or difficult.

Planning Academic Group Work

• Planning for academic group work is necessary from the start.
• Pre-empting problems, setting goals, and strategizing are key.
• Planning group work can sometimes be awkward or feel socially unappealing.
• Planning and solving problems helps a group from starting problems in the future.
• Utilizing strength and weaknesses of group members.

Making Group Work

• Establish clear rules at the beginning (always!).
• Set clear objectives, including timetables and deadlines.
• Ensure all discussions are strategic and purposeful.
• Use regular, structured communication.
• The internet can be both a tool and a hindrance in group work.
• Everyone needs to feel that they are contributing.

Group Work Checklist

• Key considerations before starting group work:
  • Rules, Planning, Setting tasks and deadlines, Allocating tasks, Collaboration and editing.
  • Follow up plans, Group reporting, Rules enforcement
  • Think strategically about the next week and meeting regularly, and staying focused.

Have Rules

• Rules can be formal or informal.
• Rules must be enforceable.
  • Rules should include minimum level of participation, role responsibilities, meeting times, deadlines, and online response times.
• Rules should not need to be punitive.

Plan

• Good group work needs sophisticated planning.
• Collective topic analysis, followed by brainstorming.
• Clearly define group member roles (e.g., facilitator, note-taker, researcher, artist) to streamline the process.

Set Tasks and Deadlines

• Set specific tasks and deadlines.
• Consider follow-up plans and group reporting.
• Consider rules enforcement procedures.
• Meet regularly and maintain focus.
• Specific tasks will become clear once topic analysis and planning are complete.

Allocate Tasks

• Link task allocation with the original plan and topic analysis.
• Re-evaluate tasks as needed during the process.
• Establish systems and group contracts to help manage task distribution.
• Consider using a rotation system or dividing tasks based on member skills or knowledge.

Decide on Collaboration and Editing

• Define a system for writing and editing (e.g., joint writing model).
• Preparation before meetings and discussions is critical (e.g., self-preparation, topic analysis, brainstorming, concept maps).
• Segment content into sections (each with a writer and reviewer).
• Ensure all group members review and edit the final product.

Keeping Records

• Maintain records of each meeting (online or in-person).
• Note tasks to be completed, deadlines, and responsibilities for different goals.
• Designate a secretary/scribe for recording meeting details.
• Maintain basic meeting agendas and minutes

Practice

• Set aside 20 minutes from class to practice group work rules and objectives.
• Determine clear rules and objectives for the group.

Oral Presentations

• Individual oral presentations are part of the week’s activity.
• Topics include your name and its meaning, the future benefits of your studies, and self-practice.

Presentation Skills

• Public speaking is a skill, not a talent.
• Practice is key to building presentations.
• Oral presentations should be viewed as academic conversations.
• Effective presentations aim to express and convey information.
• Understand the presentation’s purpose.
• Key concepts, like planning, presenting, and reflecting, can be approached and practiced separately before effective presentation emerges.

Overview

• Planning includes nature, structure, and persuasion components.
• Presenting involves guiding, effectively engaging, using appropriate skills, and media.
• Reflection involves the element of improving understanding.