Effective Classroom Presentations

You look out across a large auditorium full of people. The lights are shinning on your face. All seems to be going just fine. Then the audience begins to laugh hysterically. Within moments you feel cold and alone; you realize you’re naked.

Most, if not all, of us have had dreams like this. A very similar feeling plagues many students while presenting in front of a classroom of peers. So what can you do to feel confident and comfortable while presenting? Although it is important to retain a small level of fear to avoid behaving nonchalantly, precautions can be taken to ensure a positive experience. A couple of precautions are mentally rehearsing your presentation and keeping your eyes on your audience.

Of course you are worried about the outcome of your presentation, but if you focus too much on the outcome, you are not focusing enough on the actual presenting. Before you present review the presentation. If you feel you are less confident during a particular portion of your presentation, practice and re-practice it. If you are worried about yourself freezing, visualize yourself giving the presentation, imagine that you are calm, and proceed. Imagine successful presentation, and when you actually present you will be much more likely to do so confidently and successfully.

Another part of a successful presentation is interaction with your audience. If you are like me and many others, facing classmates is often the most heart-wrenching. Look individuals in the eyes. When you look specific people in the eyes, it seems as though you are presenting to one person at a time. The audience will become much less menacing. Also, as members of the audience make eye contact with you, they will listen to and participate in your presentation much more actively.

When your audience becomes involved in your presentation, they better retain the material you present. What more can you ask? Next time you present, remember these two precautions. If you will mentally rehearse your presentation beforehand and make eye contact with your classmates during the actual presentation, you will be a confident, effective classroom presenter.

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