DocAndersen
I was building out my presentation (I am starting my school visits the end of this month) of cool tech. I am no longer, for safety reasons allowed to fly a drone in the crowd. The kids loved seeing their aces on the screen behind me, but principals tell me that is a no-no due to insurance rules. That is fair, so instead, I will show the drone, although I am going to ask if I can at least use a smaller drone on stage with me. The goal of these presentations is to get the future excited about the art of the possible and the art of the potential. It is fun; normally they ask to speak for 46 minutes towards the end of the day. The first time I did this, they had me speak at the end of the day to the Seniors.
5 people could ask questions; the rest of the kids had to rush to the bus. I ended up with more than 100 emails with questions. The next layer I presented to the Juniors and the Seniors, but they left a half hour for questions. I still ended up with more than 100 emails to answer. I didn’t do a presentation due to my job requirements for a year. I started up again about four years ago. This is my 7th year in Maryland and 6th time presenting. In the past four years, I have moved earlier in the afternoon so that I could answer questions. It is also fun because now I get to present to the entire student body of the tech high school (Freshman – Seniors).
This year is the first year that everyone except for the youngest (freshman) have seen my presentation. I am going to have to come up with more dad jokes.
Here are the technologies I am covering this year:
- 5g handset networks (now live in Chicago and Minneapolis Minnesota. It will next be live in Seoul South Korea).
- Drones. I have to.
- 3d printers and the magic of the mind, to software to the printer.
I suspect I will work up a few dad jokes as well. I have a few, but you can always use dad joke backups or as I like to call it RAIDJ (redundant array of inexpensive dad jokes). You can never have too many Dad Jokes. I do keep and share a running tally of groans for the presentation and share it with the audience. That normally gets a laugh!
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Question of
Do dad jokes make me groan?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
be honest did you groan when i explained what RaidJ meant?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you like public speaking?
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Yes
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No
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I never like oral presentation or public speaking. I work best behind the scene like doing the research. So in my previous work I decide on what trainings need to be given and several times had to prepare the training material myself but the HR conducts the training. I am good at handling questions though.
Every great presenter has an amazing team with them!
It takes all kinds of people to journey on mother Gaia.
Have an awesome time with kids during your presentation DocAndersen. Kids would love to know about new and cool stuff in technology.
I thank you for the kind words. Kids (and me) love new tech!
My job includes giving technical assistance to the local government units on how to run the government on their own since they were given a local autonomy under our local government code. This includes giving discussions about different topics. So I can say that I am exposed to public speaking. Though I am aware that I am not very good when it comes to public speaking because I am a shy type of person. But with every weakness we have, there is a corresponding strength. I use my skills in technology such as incorporating some sort of games within the presentation which can help retain the attention of the audience. You know when people are interested because they are listening intently and attentive. They patiently wait for the next words and slides. People love new things that could give them additional knowledge.
I spend a lot of time with government employees trying to help them see how to get to where they want to be, on a shoestring budget,
we need a new generation of scientists to bail us out of the mess we’ve created, way to get them early!
All part of STEAM! Help people see the value in everything.
and become generally better informed, more capable of making intelligent choices
Well at least for the Engineering and technology parts of STEAM. The Science and Math stuff I don’t cover, And we both know I am not an artist!
To each their own. You’re doing important work…
I struggle with integrating the art portion of steam. I know it is critical.
I am an artist and still think that is the least important portion…
Your work is very interesting and varied. I was afraid of public speaking for some time, but I slowly got used to it.
Thank you! I think I get more from these presentations than they do!
I notice that you are very much enjoying your work.
I truly do enjoy this part of my job. There are parts i don’t like (performance reviews with the folks that work for me).
I never made public appearances in my life … I still avoided public speaking at school
Not everyone likes to speak publically! It is the preference of the person always.
I did not want to expose myself, but I did not even have the best speaker
That is ok and something all of us have to deal with. I struggle in the creation of art. I dream of it, wish I could do it, but pen to paper is a disaster for me.
I hardly believe … I have the feeling that you are very versatile, my friend
It is true, I cannot paint or draw. It is a realization that is hard won. My art is poetry.
We are not all for everyone dear Doc … but you have many other qualities and skills
That is very true, we have to be happy with the gifts we have.
That’s right my friend …. I totally agree with you
I never liked public speaking until I lost my son. Now I enjoy talking to others about suicide. People have lots of questions and tend to ask when I explain my story. Some schools will not allow me to talk, the reason? Ready for it? Because “talking about suicide makes them think about it more and puts thoughts in their heads.” This came from a principal. I told him, are you kidding me? The thoughts are already there. They need to talk about it . Anyway, the short answer is yes I enjoy talking if people enjoy listening.
short-sighted principals are a secondary reason that I am not a teacher any longer. Glad to hear you are moving the message forward!
I cannot say I blame you. I am doing what I can.
you are doing a lot, that is a wonderful gift.
That must be a nice, fun, and great job, Doc. That kind of thing is what I haven’t done for a long time.
To be honest, because of public speaking, I changed professions from designer to trainer/facilitator/consultant.
🙂 Now that is a fairly large change, Albert. I suspect the story is interesting.
The mother of my ex-girlfriend is the secretary of the owner of a training institution where one of the training is Public Speaking. When I finally took the course at the urging of her mother, the owner told the secretary, “Make sure he becomes our instructor candidate!”
it is a very interesting story. thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome, Doc.
I like Public speaking and Public and lecture
It can be a lot of fun to do!
Yes, Its not boring but fun at all
It is, very much fun and a lot of work!