Monday, November 25, 2013

Trending Topic


By: Samridhi Sharma

      During the fall semester of 2013, Communication professor, Gordon Curry had his class complete an innovative project. The assignment was called “Trending Topic”, where groups of students were asked to research a local, regional, statewide or national issue that is important to college students. This multifaceted project consisted of an introductory video, a written proposal, a presentation, self-reflection assignment, and a preliminary annotated bibliography. Examples of trending topics include student loan debt, stress and student government.

      This project used a different approach to help students refine their communication skills. Instead of using lectures and speech prompts, this assignment allowed students to step out of their comfort area. Curry explains, the idea for this project stems from his “desire to give students something meaningful they could build toward during this semester”. Curry states, the goal of this project is to “help build students’ oral and written communication skills, teamwork, group collaboration, research skills, and critical thinking skills”.

       Many students stated they were stressed when they first received the assignment. Students had anxieties about the pressures of working in small groups. As the groups worked on the assignment, they began to enjoy the process. Students expressed there was an increase in their critical thinking and presentation skills. Student outcomes include, time management, conducting research and increasing oral communication proficiency.
 
      Through this assignment students were able to build on their knowledge of interpersonal and small group communication as they progress into the workforce. Group presentations were recorded at the Oral Communication Center on the Annandale Campus (CM 363). The Oral Communication Center (OCC) mission is to enable student success through improved speaking and presentation skills across disciplines.  NOVA students can work with trained speech consultants to develop and refine their skills for individual and group presentations.  The OCC offers services to students in CM 363 (by appointment).

 
(Left to Right)- Adilet, Mohammed, Jackson and Madison

Thank you for visiting our blog!
 
For personalized presentation feedback and assistance, please visit The Oral Communication Center at the NVCC Annandale Campus. Our office is located in CM 363 and we would be happy to help you succeed! 

To set up an appointment with a communications consultant please call 703.764.5091 or stop by room CM 363 to schedule an appointment in person. 

For more information on center hours and other academic support services offered at the NVCC Annandale campus please visit: http://www.nvcc.edu/annandale/lrc/occ/
Hope to see you soon,
OCC Staff 


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