Month: November 2016

Post Presentation Reflection (500 words)

Overall feelings about my presentation was that is was average. The slideshow and visuals were definitely interesting and directly pertained to my content. However, my overall deliver did not adhere to my standards and expectations. My fellow classmates are so hard to read – in terms of their facial expressions – that is causes me to have anxiety that I didn’t expect going into S4. Because all our interest are widely varied and our intents to actually go fight for change is so unclear (just based on the interactions I’ve had with them), it makes it difficult to feel confident. That is why I felt I was reliant and resorted to my script too much. However, I did find it beneficial that I went first, for my presentation set the tone for advocacy in general as could be related to nearly all the presentations that followed. In class we learned and saw how TED speakers and youtubers seeked to engage the audience or reiterate key points in the beginning and end of their presentations, that is why in this presentation I sought out a different ending. An ending that could be easily repeated due to its rhythmic tones and evocation of emotions. While I did not attempt any sort of varied voice (like a Youtuber) I did seek to use a more vibrant theme and images that could give of main points and intention by just looking at them – especially if my audience was attuned to what I was saying at times.

2 comments on others (posted on their blogs, but also here)

1. Mae – I really enjoyed your S5 presentations. It was so visually engaging and I was able to understand and become curious about your topic. The use of others and voice changers was great. Also it was a side of you we normally don’t have a chance to see in class so I enjoyed it all!
2. Ashley – Your delivery in terms of your voice and overall expressions made your presentations entertaining and easy to follow. Probably one of the more lively presenters of the class. Also, your topic proves to crucial during these times, thanks for the reminder!

3 Videos

Link #1

The first attempt was a little rough just because it was right after writing out my S4 and deciding placement of certain slides and facts. I also was still unsure of what I wanted to include and exclude so my stuttering was very present. However, for this presentation because I know what and how I want to leave an impact with my classmates, I foresee that being my biggest challenge – trying to do to much. Definitely trying to be less broad and more concise.

Link #2

After narrowing down my area of focus and finalizing my slide presentation, I felt more comfortable doing video practice number two. Because of this i decided to attempt to stand up and trying moving around. As seen in the video, I still am unable to decided what to do with my hands when speaking. However, with me directing the presentation and to the audience, i don’t foresee my hand movement necessarily being a bad thing. Overall clarity seemed to improve.

Link #3

For my finally video I decided to do it in front of my friend – this due to me wanting practice making uncomfortable eye contact with classmates during my last presentations, which then make me lose my train of thought. Throughout the eye I consider this to be my biggest hinderance in my delivery. While I did stutter at times, for some reason I still find myself reliant on my notes, even though I’ve done similar presentations on this topic to others and am passionate about this topic.

Speaking Center

I booked my appointment with Claudia Sanchez. I made appointments with her in the past for this class, so I knew what I should work on going into it. Claudia makes me feel comfortable and offers feedback that I subconsciously know should be changed, but don’t unless I have someone (like her) telling me to do something differently.  We weren’t able to meet directly for a full session, but once realizing that with break and the short time we had before presentation day, I spoke to her before our schedule meeting. We were able to discuss how to attract and engage my audience. Referring to them and using evidence and scenarios that allow my classmates to imagine themselves in the situation. After this semester, I definitely foresee myself making appointments with her.

Write- out

Slide 1

I am sure everyone here has one of these *pulls out phone*

Slide 2

The average person between the age 15-25 uses their phone for 3 hours per day, mainly to check their social media feeds. Now guess how many social media accounts the average person has…yup you’re right 3! While yes there seems minimal to many of us, if you’re spending 5+ hours checking and using them, is there a better way to use your time on those sites.

Living in an age where digital communication has been integrated into everyday life, whether that’s through text, call, retweeting, posting, or reacting to something. it has become our way of telling others how we feel.

We’ve become accustomed to a form of communication that while it has its downsides, can truly benefit movements around the world.

Slide 3

Over the last decade we have seen social media platforms ask less and less of their members or subscribers in terms of effort and representing their own ideas. The end result is then the degradation of activism into a series of petition drives that capitalise on current events. Bay Area clicktivist organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to motivate their members to any action whatsoever. The unfortunate trend of clicktivism as struct those on social media between the ages 12-30. Those who never go beyond just retweeting or reacting to a stance versus actively engaging through technology for change. Between 80% to 90%, of so-called members rarely even open campaign emails anymore, in large part due to many seeing political engagement becomes a matter of clicking a few links. There is an unfortunate trend of clicktivism amongst those 15-30.

Activism v Advocate (3)

Activism and advocacy are terms that are proven crucial when discussing public communication and intentions towards social change and movements. Because they are so often used interchangeably, because they do overlap, they also have distinctly differences – which reflect in your actions towards or as apart of movements.

An activist is a person who makes an intentional action to bring about social or political change. This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often controversial argument.

An advocate is one who speaks on behalf of another person or group. (lobby/legislation)

Egyptian Revolution – Slides 4 & 5

For any of you who were attuned to current events back in 2012, would remember the egyptians uprising by civilians. Twitter was used to bring face to the movement and create global awareness and divulge surrounding those issues. For months to the streets of Cairo in January and February 2011. What has shocked most observers of the current Egyptian scene is the sheer speed with which the regime fell — 18 days.

Facebook helped to organize the activists inside the country, he said, while Twitter functioned to help get the message out to the broader world

However, this movement and revolution went beyond just awareness, but sparked and forced conversations seeking to vote immediate change. You so often see friends and family members retweet or react to a post about a hot social issue, however become complacent when they meet an opportunity to react in person. While marching in rallies or speaking to various boards is not for everyone. I’m telling you now is the time where hiding behind a screen and instigating is okay. Now in no way am go out and troll or cyber bully those with differing opinions than you, but instead seek out social media avenue in which allow for uncomfortable or controversial conversations to be had through a median that is comfortable for both parties.

Twitter Power Hours – Slide 6-7

Back in late october there was a “Twitter Power hour” around an elected school board bill in Illinois. The concept around it is that some sort of organization or group of people come up with the consensus that for an hour on Twitter they talk through their issue in hopes to suade those who are skeptics. It also is a demonstration of support. As seen here …trend…. The great thing about them is that its an open forum that creates dialogue and a respectable form of communication between those with differing views

Slide 8

These are two great people to follow if you are interested in seeking out social media oriented talks. Melinda Anderson is a writer for The Atlantic.  Xian is a teacher back in Chicago whose work with students revolves around social justice and education equity for students of color. And even is racial or educational forums don’t interest you both are still great to peak around their follows cause you are sure to find others like them but with different interest.

Slide 9

So the next you go out and retweet or react, I ask that you click with intention. Click with passion. And click with hope.

I was initially impressed with the way the open house was set up. In Chicago, you rarely hear of open houses for proposed city project, but instead community forums that are are filled with only public comments. The overall flow made it simple for anyone to really learn and understand the two proposals. Having a person at various posters along the room made it easy to engage and question certain things. In general though the space did seem confining at times, perhaps due to the size of some unused tables. For a proposal like this, it was important to have boards and diagrams to truly contrast the two ideas. This personally made it clear which proposal seemed best – the two way waterside proposal. Whenever visiting the stretch in front of the piers, all the traffic signals do become overwhelming and confusing. That is why with the two-way system would minimize confusion and also for a better flow. I was overhearing a women speak to one of the presenters/informers and she really wanted to have her public comment heard…but listening to more of her opinion, it was clear her views aligned more with the two-way option, so they should have made it clear that she just had to vote on her desired proposal. The audience was definitely more geared towards people who are impacted and have advocated for/against change for a while. That is why the sense of formality was more present, just because it more for people with previous knowledge on it.

For S4 I am attempting to use both visual and personal aids to help convey my idea topic. Because my proposal revolves around social media and its use, it makes sense to showcase ways and methods people are currently using it and can use it. So the “pattern” attempting to form within my audience would be how to properly and effectively use their social media platforms.