Preparing for a Master Gardener Presentation

By: Georgia Eacker, MCE - Howard County MG Program Coordinator, Extension Educator

Updated May 2009 by: PJ Hallberg

Maryland Cooperative Extension programs are open to all citizens

without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.

Objectives

�To help you feel comfortable

giving talks to the public

�To give you an example of how

to structure a presentation

Outline

�Theories of adult learning

�As a basis for understanding how to

communicate

�Developing an effective presentation

�Required elements

�Getting your message across

�Bringing closure to the topic

Theories of Adult Learning

�Malcom Knowles

�Carl Rogers

�Abraham Maslow

Malcom Knowles

�Adults

�Need to know why they are learning

something

�Need to learn experientially

�Approach learning as problem-

solving

�Learn best when topic is of

immediate value

�Learn by problem solving rather

than by memorizing content

�Bottom line: Involve your audience

1913-1997

Photo credit:

Reproduced from

the encyclopaedia

of informal

education

[www.infed.org]

Carl Rogers: Client-Centered Learning

�Education is self-actualizing

�Involve the learner in the process/

evaluation

�Incorporate a variety of approaches/

techniques

�Self-initiated learning is most lasting,

pervasive

1902-1987

Photo credit:

Reproduced from

the encyclopaedia of

informal education

[www.infed.org]

Abraham Maslow:

Humanistic psychologist

Fundamental Needs

Psychological Needs

Self-Actualization

1908-1970

Photo source:

Wikipedia

Hierarchy of Needs

Characteristics of Adult Learners

�Adults are motivated to learn when they

identify a need

�Adults want information they can use

�Adults use all senses in learning

�Tell me, and I forget

�Show me, and I remember

�Involve me, and I understand

Outline

�Theories of adult learning

�Developing an effective presentation

�Getting your message across

�Bringing closure to your topic

Developing an Effective Presentation

�Select a topic

�Know your audience

�Research your topic

�Organize your material

�Select your visual media

�Check the presentation area, facilities

�Prepare your written material

�Practice, Practice, Practice!

Select a Topic

�Choose something you are very interested in

�More interest for you, passion for audience

�Remember: you will know MORE about your

topic than your audience

�Shape your topic to meet the audience’s need

�Ask what your audience wants to learn

Research Your Topic

�Master Gardener Fact Sheets

� University of Maryland website/publication

�Other University resources

�Current < 5 yrs (or classic) books and other

publications

�Experts in the field (Including YOU)

�WWW (Make sure it is from a reputable

site)

Organize Your Material

�Required elements

�Who we are

� IPM, as it relates to the content

College of

Agriculture and Natural Resources

� AKA Intelligent Person’s Method: Bob Alde

� A holistic approach to pest control

� Considers the interrelationships of factors influencing plant growth�Soil/Water/Air/Nutrients

�Insects/Diseases/ Beneficial Organisms

�Landscape Design

�Weeds

�Animals

�Weather

�Cultural Practices

IPM:

Integrated Pest Management

Organize Your Material (Cont.)

�Make an outline

�Your notes will help you to organize

�Notes cards can be resorted

�Keep track of your sources

�Expand on the topics in your outline

�Brainstorm

�Mind mapping

Select Your Media

�Flip Charts

�Easy to use, widely available, relatively transportable

�Can be hard to read

� 35mm slides (Projectors no longer available)

�PowerPoint

�Tech team can convert any slides for use in

PowerPoint

� Need laptop & projector for most engagements

� Check the cables

� Not good for outdoor, casual talks

Select Your Media (cont)

�Demonstrations

�Very effective, especially when mixed with text

�Require more props, preparation time

�Hands-on activities

�THE most effective way to teach

�Requires time, materials

�Handouts

�Amplifying material/Slides

�Info sheet/Magnets with contact info

�People LOVE to carry something away!

Check Facilities

�Familiarize yourself with the audio-visual and

other equipment

�Make sure it works, try it at home first

�Get there early enough that if it doesn’t work, you

can find someone to make it work

�Arrange seating to maximize listening, attention

retention, and learning

�Check physical properties, e.g., lighting etc.

Prepare Your Materials

�Write out your material in advance

�Flip charts

�PowerPoint

�Place citations on screen

�Average: one slide per minute

�Prepare handouts

�Collect your props

�Demonstrations

�Illustrations

Practice, Practice, Practice

�Practice your talk as you will give it

�Practice your demonstrations

�Time yourself

�Have other speakers or friend critique your talk

�Prepare far enough in advance that you can

make changes in response to reviews

Outline

�Theories of adult learning

�Developing an effective presentation

�Getting your message across

�Bringing closure to your topic

Techniques

�Know your audience

�Tell people

�What you’re going to tell them

(Introduction)

�Then tell them

�Then tell them what you told them

(Summarize)

�Use of visual aids

�Analyze your effectiveness

�Audience evaluations

�Personal reflections

Know your audience

�Name tags/tents

�Involve your audience

�Ask why they came/what they expect, show of hands

� Encourage questions when you can take them

�Move around.

�All mammals tend to track moving objects: MOVE

�Talk to your audience

�Maintain eye contact

Tell them ...

�Use an outline

�Provide it to the audience

�Handout

�Flip

�Refer to it often

�If your audience can’t follow

where you are in your talk, you

will lose them

Use of Visual Aids

�Flip charts

�35mm slides

�PowerPoint

�Demo Objects: plants,

equipment, etc.

Flip Charts

�Use an outline (separate)

�Use dark color markers

�Write in block letters, not all caps

�Use lined paper

�Don’t crowd the page

�Use every other page to avoid

“bleed-through”

�Or tear sheets off and post them

35mm Slides

�Have an outline available and refer to it

�Have your slides in a carousel ahead of time

�And check they are all oriented correctly!

�Know how to insert the carousel into the slide

projector

�Check the light well before the talk starts

�Have a spare bulb just in case

�Use a pointer - DON’T TALK TO THE SCREEN!

PowerPoint

�Practice using the remote/ask someone to

advance

�Set it up so it is not in anyone’s line of vision

�Mix text and pictures

�Use color effectively

�Test combinations of background color & text color

for visibility

�Use animation sparingly

�Use a pointer- DON’T TALK TO THE SCREEN!

Cautions

�If you use notes, don’t read your notes

�Unless: You have a precise quote or definition

�If there is a podium, don’t be lured into clinging

to it

�Move around (Unless a tiger is stalking you . .. )

�Make sure handouts are legible

Outline

�Theories of adult learning

�Developing an effective presentation

�Getting your message across

�Bringing closure to your topic

Sincerely Seeking Closure

�Ask if the topic met the audience’s expectations

�Use evaluation forms

�If anonymous, they can be very useful to you

�The next day, reflect back on how YOU think the

talk went

Summary

�Prepare thoroughly

�Practice, practice, practice!

�Talk to your audience, not your media

�Use mixed media

�Experts say: Involve your audience

�Revise your talk according to comments

�Recycle.

�Give your talk again.

�Share your talk.

�Train others to give your talk.

This program was brought to you by

The Master Gardeners Program of

Montgomery County

University of Maryland Extension