Final 20-Time Presentations

20-Time Lightning Talk Reflections -- Final Exam Presentations*

Goals of this Presentation:

•  Reflect on the 20-Time experience, your goal, and your learning
• Practice 21^st Century communication and presentation skills
• Share and learn with others 
• Show awareness of your audience

What IS a Lightning Talk?

“Think of the lightning talk as a narrative [a personal story] with visual aids — someone once told me presenting a lightning talk is just like having a conversation with the audience where they [the audience] doesn't speak for five minutes.” It’s sharing your 20-Time journey in an abbreviated fashion.

After presentations, the audience will get a chance to comment on or ask questions about your 20-Time experience. You will be responsible for participating in this discussion as well.

How long should it be?

No more than five minutes. “Here's the secret; No one cares if your lightning talk only lasts four minutes. No one cares if it lasts three. I've seen talks that last two minutes and the crowd loved it. But everyone cares if it lasts six — especially if the important point you need to make happens at five minutes and 10 seconds. At conferences [and in this class] with strict time keeping you'll be cut off at five, and no one will hear what you were actually trying to say.”

A timer will be used to ensure presentations do not go over 5 minutes.

What should I talk about?

What it is you say or don’t say is completely up to you. However, you will need to include an honest and specific reflection on the following (in whatever form you see fit):

Your 20-Time goal (and how it changed or adjusted)

What you learned (both academic and non-academic lessons)

Struggles/challenges and how you did/didn’t tackle them

Accomplishments/pride points

Plans for/Effect on your future related to 20-Time goal

How should I present my 20-Time story?

You MUST use Microsoft PowerPoint. I will combine each presenter’s PowerPoint presentations together for quick transitioning on presentation day.

Tips for your PowerPoint slides:

·         up to 15 slides, timed to take no more than 5 minutes in total; 15 slides = exactly 20 seconds each

·          the slides should be visually engaging photos, illustrations, or drawings (NO TEXT!) NOTE: "Remember, the slides are to show things to the audience, not to help you remember what you're talking about." You may include a title slide with your name and the title of your project (This is the ONLY text allowed)

·         no audio, video, or animations

·         you will start talking as soon as the first slide appears

·         please use your own photos or a public domain or Creative Commons images http://creativecommons.org/. If you must use other people’s copyright images, please provide a legible credit/source in small type in a corner of that slide

When do I present?

You will sign up in class next week to present either Monday, June 9^th in class OR on exam day. Monday will be limited to 10 presenters. You will present in the order you sign up.

Other important details?

Submit your completed PowerPoint presentation to me by email before Monday, June 9^th (before 1^st hour).

Your presentation will be worth 50% of your exam grade. Your final exam is worth 20% of your semester grade.

A specific scoring rubric will be provided in class.

Important Note: PRACTICE!

“When it comes down to it there's only one way to make sure that your talk will fit in the time-slot, and that's to practice it. Read it out aloud several times. Present it to the cat. Try to convince your colleague/flatmate/significant other to listen to it. Not only will this give you the most accurate understanding of how long it'll take to say everything (and believe me, you'll be surprised at what bits go quickly and what bits drag), but it'll also help you realize what bits can be cut and replaced. It'll also give you confidence and experience in the talk, so you can actually present it slightly quicker.”

Watch a sample Ignite talk here: http://scottberkun.com/2009/how-to-give-a-great-ignite-talk/

*Post created by Sarah Hechlik with excerpts taken from “Giving Lightning Talks” by Mark Fowler at http://www.perl.com/pub/2004/07/30/lightningtalk.html  and The DNA Symposium website at http://www.dnasymposium.com/lightning-talks/

Here is a tentative scoring rubric: 

20-Time Lightning Talks – Scoring Rubric                           Name: __________________________

Assessment Criteria:

Content                                               5              4              3              2              1

Student includes a concise discussion of the following:

·         His/her 20-Time goal (and how it changed or adjusted)

·         What he/she learned (both academic and non-academic lessons)

·         Struggles/challenges and how he/she did/didn’t tackle them

·         Accomplishments/pride points

·         Plans for/Effect on the future related to 20-Time goal

Organization                                      5              4              3              2              1

·         Presentation does not exceed 5 minutes

·         Presentation follows a logical order

·         Ideas/thoughts are easy to follow

Presentation Skills                          5              4              3              2              1

·         Student speaks clearly and confidently

·         Student has practiced to avoid stutters, pauses and ums/likes

·         Student makes eye contact with audience and avoids reliance on the visual

Effective Visual                                                5              4              3              2              1

·         Student uses no more than 15 slides

·         Visual is clear and professional

·         Images are appropriate and relevant to the task

·         Images enhance ideas

Final Written Reflection              5              4              3              2              1

·         Typed and written in complete sentences

·         Thorough and specific

·         Honest and clear

Comments:                                                     Total Points = _______/25 X 2 = __________/50 points

Reflections

Wow! What a week! We officially hosted the 1st Annual 20-Time Project Fair and it was a success in my eyes. However, I did learn a lot to help me continue with the project next year, and I even learned some things I need to focus on for the end of this year.

Much of the feedback I got was collected from an anonymous survey I gave to each of my students. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking to hear some of the comments. Heartwarming because many of the comments showed me that this project is meaningful and powerful. Heartbreaking because negative comments hurt me. This is my life's work and passion. No one likes to hear negative things about something to which they dedicated a lot of time and energy. I do take my work personally. However, I will say there were a lot of honest and thoughtful suggestions which I welcomed and will incorporate in the future.

Successes:

• All but one student attended the fair, which is a feat in itself. Overall 42 active and involved students attended an after school event for SCHOOL. Here is a video and small photo collection from our fair:

• All of my students were professional, prepared, and amazing! I was really proud. Unfortunately, I'm not always good at expressing my gratitude and awareness of students' hard work as I would like to be. But I am always amazed by what my students are capable of. Because I didn't get a chance to make it around to everyone's table, I made it a point to post a comment on these student's blogs. 
• A HUGE turnout -- over 150 people attended -- parents, students, friends, staff members, administrators, community members, etc.
• Hach Center as a venue was a good choice -- open area, well laid out, plenty of space, decent cookies, all prepared for us, etc.
• Here are some student comments from the survey: 
• "I talked to a lot of people and I felt confident" 
• "The fair was great! I enjoyed seeing many faces who didn't have 20 time in their classes. They came to support and it was fun to have a full house"  
• "Honestly, I think everything went well. Everyone looked very professional and sounded genuinely interested in their topics. It was a really cool experience" 
• "I thought the environment and energy was awesome - I really liked that we were able to do it in the Hach Center outside of school. I also loved how interested all of the students were in each other's projects"

Difficulties/Improvements for Next Year:
1) Time: Some said not enough time; some said just right. There is a delicate balance; too much time and it interferes with after school things -- too little time and it is rushed. An hour and a half seems good (Plus 30 minutes to view each others' projects ahead of time as most said they enjoyed this part)

2) Venue:There was a debate over whether to have it outside of school or in school like senior projects. Some suggested a weekend event. Many liked the setup, yet many felt they weren't in an area that people visited. Overall, many said they thought the Hach Center was a good choice.

3) Competition Aspect: Eliminate the competition completely due to feelings of judgement and insecurity, and it does go against the goal of the pitch. I needed to provide clearer expectations on what to have. This was not easy to do because I don't feel it is a "one size fits all" project. I will show examples next year, but I don't want all the presentations to be the same.

4) Other things needed: name tags (duh!), something like a "wine-tasting" list of blogs to visit with a raffle if people turn them in at the end, host/hostess/ushers for directions and instructions (also to help with voter fraud), etc.

5) Awareness of Blog Addresses: Advertising/marketing skills need to be emphasized more at the pitch. Perhaps we could partner with the Marketing class?? Doing the Pitch earlier in the year will help students understand that the Pitch is an event used to get people to follow their blogs.

6) Content: I need to place more emphasis on the "process" of learning vs. the "product" of learning. Many of my students have been trained to "do school" instead of explore learning on their own. I also need to discuss further connections to IB Learner Profile and Common Core skills in English to help with more practice on what to expect for potential questions at the fair. These were areas in which students felt unprepared. Responses to the survey showed that they felt their project should have been finished at the fair, which is NOT the case. I need to clarify this more.

Things I plan to do before the semester ends:

1) Have students visit FutureMe.org http://www.futureme.org/ as a way to remind them of their goals when school gets out.

2) Create a final reflection that will help me assess overall effort, ideas for next year, and the impact of the assignment. I want to ask about how much time was spent outside of class and what students have learned so far (6 + 1 Writing, research, oral communication, IB Learner profile, etc.)

3) Create a Scavenger Hunt to encourage people to look at each other's blogs and challenge each other.

4) Finalize the culminating presentation for the final days of school.

5) Identify and address more specific criteria for improving the writing on student blogs. Here is a useful website I found for students to look at to improve the quality of their blogs: http://www.getbusymedia.com/the-secrets-of-creating-a-killer-blog-post-infographic/

Students visiting my site: Please comment on my blog with any questions, comments or suggestions!

You're Invited!

Thanks for visiting my blog about IB World Literature's 20-Time Project Fair!

Please join us to celebrate learning and innovation at Northwood University's Hach Center from 7 to 8 pm on Tuesday, May 13th.

Students will be displaying their passion for learning at individual booths. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Hope you will join us!

Below is a list of students, projects, and blog addresses for you to look at before you attend. Check out my amazing students here:

Student Name:	Project Overview:	Blog Address:
Sanjay B.	Learn guitar	http://guitarplayer112.blogspot.com
Maddie B.	Create art portfolio	http://maddiekatescg2.blogspot.com
Hayden C.	Learn guitar	http://guitar20time.blogspot.com
Caroline C.	Find enlightenment	http://carolsenlightenment.blogspot.com
Sophia C.	Create a yoga life	http://y-ogablogga.blogspot.com
Carly D.	Run a half marathon	http://dalessandrocj24halfmarathon.blogspot.com
Kayla F.	Healthier lifestyle	http://1behealthybefit1.blogspot.com
Sarah H.	Yoga/show pigs	http://20yoga.blogspot.com
Kylee J.	Video scrapbook	http://writteninmymemories.blogspot.com
Steven K.	Program a robot	http://20timeprogramming.blogspot.com
Erin K.	Humane Society	http://erins20time.blogspot.com
Rachel L.	Astronomy art	http://spacethefinalcanvas.blogspot.com
Sydney L.	Self-confidence	http://helpsydneylaplow.blogspot.com
Jeremy M.	Piano challenge	http://jeremylearnsrachmaninoff.blogspot.com
Eilah N.	Art experiment	http://artsyfartsyandme.blogspot.com
Kohki N.	Zombies and cooking	http://cookingwithkohki.blogspot.com
Brigham O.	Butterfly stroke	http://whiteboyinwater.blogspot.com
Elaina P.	Flute duet	http://elainapc.blogspot.com
Josh P.	Solve Rubik's cube	http://solvingthecubeofrubik.blogspot.com
Emily P.	Cello duet	http://some-strings-attached.blogspot.com
Jill P.	Violin duet	http://driventoviolins.blogspot.com
Jasmine P.	Learn banjo	http://banjonotkazooie.blogspot.com
Rachel R.	Learn guitar	http://rachelsjoyfulnoise.blogspot.com
Connor R.	Walden/mandolin	http://mandowalden.blogspot.com
Jeffrey S.	Stock market	http://thedoortodoorsalesman.blogspot.com
Cindy T.	Spoken word poetry	http://hechliksminion.blogspot.com
Laura V.	Pottery	http://howtoevendo.blogspot.com
Austin W.	Weightlifting	http://weightlifting20time70.blogspot.com
Christi W.	Photography	http://ph0t0graphy-timeline.blogspot.com
Robyn Y. 7th Hour	200 meter dash	http://robyns20time.blogspot.com

Student Name:	Topic:	Blog Address:
Leann B.	Breast Cancer	http://braceletsbowsandboobies.blogspot.com
Carolyn C.	Art Portfolio	http://chang20time.blogspot.com
Kelly D.	NASA promotion	http://orbit58.blogspot.com
Julia H.	Learn Oboe	http://juliasoboe.blogspot.com
Jimmy K.	Backflip/App	http://jimmystwentytime.blogspot.com
Sarah L.	Cook for Family	http://sarahmakesfood.blogspot.com
Kristina M.	Cardmaking	http://kristinascreativecards.blogspot.com
Griffin M.	Create a Game	http://atdotblogspot.blogspot.com
Obadeh M.	Happiness	http://obadeh.blogspot.com
James T.	Survival Trip	http://helpjetsurvival.blogspot.com
Arlo T.	Poetry/Art	http://arloadventures.blogspot.com
Josh Z.	History Timeline	http://avoyageinhistoricaltimelines.blogspot.com
Helen Z.	Satire Book	http://luiciones20time.blogspot.com

20-Time Project Fair and Student Conferences

So many things have happened since the last time I've posted. I'm excited about the developments and proud to say that Ms. Bonotto and I have a date and time set for our 1st Annual 20-Time Project Fair. Here is what we've had to do to set this up:

1) We contacted tons of venues
2) We requested funds
3) We surveyed students
4) We planned together over the phone while picking up our kids and making dinner
5) We created an invitation
6) And we also talked about the strengths and weaknesses in our students' projects, which leads me to my next step...

Student Teacher Conferences:

The number one thing we've noticed is our students are losing motivation or haven't chosen topics that they are passionate about or projects that are meaningful. So, I'm trying a couple of things: 1) I am going to have students do a mid-way reflection to see if they feel they have a meaningful topic and 2) I am going to hold personal conferences.

But...

Conferences in my 6th hour have become time-consuming and troublesome to schedule during our 20-Time day. So far I have only met with 6 people (3 per hour). I thought I would be able to take notes and really ask for details, but it sucked up a lot of time. I need a new plan for conferences.

Also...still need to finalize plans on the final presentations.
Till next time:)

The Pitch Part II

Thanks so much for the feedback on my first post about The Pitch. If you didn't get a chance to read over what it is, please read it the previous post.

However, since last week The Pitch assignment has really gotten more fine-tuned. Here is what the plan is at this point:

1) PARTNERSHIP:  We will be partnering with Ms. Bonotto's Spanish III class, who are also participating in 20-Time. Overall 63 students will be presenting their 20-Time Projects.

2) VENUE: We will be presenting at an outside venue. Here are the places Ms. Bonotto and I have been in contact with: Grace A Dow Library (mezzanine = unavailable), Dow Diamond, Whiting Forest, MCFTA, and others. We are considering the Farmer's Market location downtown as well. We are waiting to hear back from our contacts on availability and costs.

3) DATE: This is still up in the air; however, according to your info the later in May the better. At this point the official date is Tuesday, May 13th. This seems to be the only date so far without any major conflict. We are also consulting the master calendar about the next week: May 19th through the 22nd.

4) TIME: This event will be held in the evening so that parents, community members, fellow students and staff can attend. We will start at 6:30pm and you will get a chance to present/view other students' work. Invitations will ask "outsiders" to arrive at 7pm. Our event will end at 8pm.

5) INVITATIONS: You will be responsible for designing, producing and distributing invitations to at least 5 other people. An email invitation will go out to parents, administrators and staff. Additionally, there will be an announcement inviting all of the Dow High student body to view presentations. Think about who you would like to personally invite to this event. ONE of your invitations MUST go to your mentor.

6) PRESENTATION DAY: See previous post for requirements on what to bring, say and do. Attendance is required. If you are unable to attend our 20-Time Project Fair, you must have a signed absence excuse form from your parent(s)/guardian(s). You will have to make-up your missed presentation during your lunch time the following week.

7) WHEN to START: Now! Start planning, thinking, and creating. Use your 20-Time class time or use the unfilled homework schedule we have. The majority of the next required text will be read in class to allow you room to work on preparing for this.

A FINAL NOTE: By no means do you have to have a completed project to present!! You may not ever have a completed project, but you will discuss and show your progress, what you have learned, and where you plan to go next.

As with all my blog posts, please feel free to leave comments, questions or suggestions. Thanks!

The Pitch

We are in the throes of posting and creating and doing our 20-Time projects. Now I'd like to talk to you about "The Pitch". Please visit the following link:

http://www.20timeineducation.com/20-time-template-series/the-pitch-20-time

Here you will find an overview for teachers on what "The Pitch" should be like. I am open to feedback about what you would like to see happen during our 20-Time Pitch Event, but here is what I'm thinking:

 1) It has to be a public event where we invite students, teacher, administrators, mentors and parents to attend, so maybe after school would work better.

2) At the event, you will need to bring both at visual display (video or tri-panel poster) AND an object (i.e. a prop, brochure, business card, etc), which will provide your audience with information about your project, your goals, and your plans.

3) You will need to ask questions, share ideas, and essentially "market" your 20-Time project.

4) We should maybe have a fun little competition to see how many blog comments/visits we get after the event to see how well you can advertise your blogspot :)

And, that's all I got... please post comments or questions for me about this or any other ideas you have.

Additionally, please take the polls located on my blogspot. This will help me decide where and when to host our event.

I look forward to hearing from you! Hope your 20-Time projects are moving along!

Blog on Blogging (Logistics)

Okay! Busy week after a great break! What have I done for my 20-Time Project:

1) I commented on every students' blog. This. Took. A. Long. Time. But, it was cool to see how interested they are in their own project and the variety of topics out there. Some students have already made HUGE progress towards their goals and some are just taking the first baby steps. Either way...I can't wait to see what happens.

2) I had to figure out how to grade these blogs, so I talked with both classes and they agreed that points for completion of the blog was fine. They also said that it didn't matter if I read them each week because the whole world (well, just the U.S. and Germany) was reading it. I think they get that fact that I am not their only audience :) Goal met. Check.

3) Now I'd like students to form a small group of people they "follow"...well...is that right or is that a Twitter thing? I dunno. (BTW...I posted my first ever hashtag comment on Obadeh's site...apparently I did it all wrong #bummer) With this small group, students will read each other's weekly blogs and make comments. Maybe they can help each other...oh! Lightbulb...I should group them by their project topics so they can share and support each other. Now, I just need a spreadsheet (boy I LOVE to organize).

4) Lastly, I need to start piecing together my expectations for the Pitch. These ideas just HAVE to be shared with a larger audience. Our school should be celebrating this brilliance.

Thanks for reading. Let me know if you have any other suggestions!

WE CREATED BLOGS!!!

I feel good. All of my students have created their first blog, which I linked to my Moodle site. At this point, everyone has an introductory blog and reflection. They are SO COOL!

Ran into a couple of snags:
1) All students have to have an adult with them in other rooms at all times...I got in trouble. However, all these students have worked out or will work out an alternative plan.

2) You can't view blogs in the "private" mode...so, students concerned about their privacy need to consult me about an alternative setting.

3) In order to create an online blog at school we had to type in "help" as a title and "help" in the blogspot title...it was a pain, but it worked.

What to do next?
1) Share blogs with parents and administrators
2) Share blogs with each other
3) Create a plan for pitches
4) Figure out what to do over spring break. Woot! Woot!

Enjoy your break! See you in April...

My First Blog...Ever

Hey IBWL Students!

Welcome to my blog! I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm doing it anyway. 20-Time is my 20-Time project and I am allowing myself to fail miserably.  However, I learned a ton this week. So, here's what I know right now:

1) My students are amazing! I've read over all their 20-Time project proposals and I was blown away by their ability to embrace this project, take the risk with me, and try to make it meaningful. Students selected a range of topics. They will be studying everything from back flips to zombies to new instruments to new artistic expressions and beyond! I can't wait to see what happens!(And, no, I'm not yelling at you. I will try to avoid overusing exclamation points in my writing, but I still want you to know just how excited I am

2) Google Blogger: I set up my own blog and even wrote this post myself, but I needed someone with knowledge and experience, so I met with Ms. Bonotto, who is attempting 20-Time in her Spanish 3 class as well. I met with her at lunch and worked out some of the kinks. I'm still having trouble with getting my Pages to appear on my blog, so I'm going to email Chris Sabourin, the head of technology for MPS, to find out more. I'm also going to learn how to upload emails to share this blog directly with my students. This will be a quick easy way to communicate with them.

3) Scheduling: I laid out the plan for the rest of the year and how we are going to incorporate 20-Time. I found myself wanting to schedule more room for this, and I had many students asking for more time. This is a problem: balancing IB requirements and 20-Time needs. Right now I think I have a good plan, but if you are my student, you know my calendar can and will change at least 20 times ;) And I'm worried about AP/IB testing and sports in May. My smarty-pants, athletic students will be absent all over the place. I need to stay on top of missed work.

4) Future Plans: I need to layout my exact expectations for students' Pitch assignment. I am going to ask them for feedback to find a manageable and purposeful way to carry this part of the assignment out. I don't want this to seem like extra work. I want them to share their love of learning with the world.

So, that's it. Now what do I do? ummm.... spell check? publish? eat the entire bag of Dum-Dums in my closet? We shall see.

Thanks for listening. Post any questions or comments when ready.

Here is a picture of me creating my first blog. Courtesy of Kelly Derees