Artifact Title: Public Speaking 1010

Date Completed: Spring 2010

Artifact Description:
The following artifact is my transcript with the grade I received in my public speaking class. This
grade is based on four speeches (introductory, informative, demonstration, and persuasion), self-
evaluations, outlines of speeches, and a final reflective paper.

ALIGNMENT
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment
This experience best aligns with standard six of the Wisconsin Teacher Development and Licensure
Standards which states: The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication
techniques as well as instructional media and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration and
supportive interaction in the classroom.
This experience aligns with standard six because I learned the fundamental theories and concepts
of public communication, how to organize material in a different way, and how to present speeches
with appropriate and natural nonverbal communication. By writing outlines, either full text or
short phrases, I was able to keep my ideas organized and focus on my nonverbal skills. Each speech
required a different outline type. I will be able to use these new skills in the classroom to present
the material in a way that the students can understand in the best way. Students learn in different
was, so using technology to present the information in another way might help students who
require pictures or visual aids learn. This technology can also be used to create interactive games in
which students would work together and participate in class in ways other than just raising their
hands and answering questions. We were required to video tape our speeches and write a self-
evaluation based on what we saw, such as ways to improve or what we did well. This was helpful
because we were able to see what we really looked like when we were in front of the group so we
could be conscious of things we did while speaking that could be potential distractions to the
listeners. I also learned how to use hand and facial gestures in ways that enhanced what I was
talking about, such as emphasizing important points or showing emotions. We were also required
to use visual aspects in our speeches. I found it most useful to use PowerPoint because I was able to
have pictures that went along with my speech to give the listeners something to connect the words
to. If they had any question about what I was talking about, the visual aspect could give them
another source of information to think about. Speeches were given in front of a class of 22 fellow
students.

UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, and Disposition Statement Alignment
I believe this experience best aligns with KS3.a. of the UW-Platteville School of Education
Knowledge, Skill, and Disposition Statements which states: The candidates spoken and written
language are correct, expressive and clear, with well-chosen vocabulary that enriches teaching and
communicates thoughtfully, responsively, and effectively for a wide range of student understanding
and encourages appropriate student language development.
This experience aligns with this KSD because when giving speeches, I spoke clearly and correctly. I
could tell my classmates understood what I was saying because they were following along with my

demonstration speech by creating the same origami animal I was telling them how to make. The
outlines for my speeches were not composed of complete sentences; they were composed of a few
key words or phrases to remind me of the main things I wanted to say. This was helpful because I
could adjust exactly what I was going to say to the type of audience I had in a way that could be
understood the best. For example, in my demonstration speech making an origami animal, I could
tell some people in the audience were struggling so I explained the step in another way, but was
still able to get back on track with the rest of the steps. Also, if I were to give one of my speeches to a
younger audience, I might change the context to better fit their age group, but still present my
speech in a way that gets my point across.

Secondary Alignment:
KS3.c: Engages Students in Learning

REFLECTION
What I learned about teaching/learning:
I learned that communication is very important if a teacher wants their students to learn the
necessary information. If the teacher cant effectively get the material across to the students in a
way the students will understand, it will be difficult for the students to follow along and learn what
they need to learn. I also learned that communication is not simply verbal. Effective communication
involves a lot of nonverbal aspects as well, such as facial expressions and body movement. Students
are going to have a hard time concentrating and listening to a teacher that stands in front of the
room and just talks. Some students learn better when there is more action going on, so using verbal
along with nonverbal communication will help a wide variety of the students learn.

What I learned about myself as a prospective educator:
I learned that information/topics can be taught in many different ways to get the same point across
to students. Because not everyone learns the same way, it is important to know different skills for
communicating so various kinds of teaching methods can be used to make sure all of the students
are learning what they should be. Making eye contact with the audience was a big problem I faced,
but I learned to do it more often by being confident in what I was saying and realizing how
important it was when watching others speak. As a prospective educator, I need to be able to look
at my students and make quick evaluations of their nonverbal, and verbal, queues to decide if they
are following what I am saying or if everyone looks confused. I would not be able to do this if I
didnt make eye contact and connect with my audience. This class made me more aware of the
importance of connecting with the audience in more ways than just talking. I learned that with the
many different kinds of technology we have today, there is always something new and different to
try when teaching, such as interactive power point presentations and educational videos online.