Assigning Presentations on Readings

Background

Asking students to make a presentation on a reading can be useful for a variety of reasons.

• Students get to take charge of more of the learning and take on some of the teacher’s role
• Students get to direct the discussion more to their own interests
• Students get to bring in their expertise in the form of particular knowledge about a chosen subject or in the form of technology (e.g. PowerPoint presentations)
• The instructor can take on a different role of participant and occasional facilitator
• Students demonstrate what they can do independently

However, to be successful, students need guidelines and, if possible, some coaching in advance, especially if the discussion is to serve the purpose of enhancing critical reading, not a mere bull session. It is helpful to make the presentation become an integral part of the students’ essay writing.

Assignment

Groups of two or three students may focus on the same general essay question. They choose an essay that will help them think about that question more deeply. Then they do the following:

• Read the essay and respond in some way (mapping it or summarizing it, double-entry journal, response to identify key issues related to their question)
• Students come up with questions for their classmates to respond to for homework.
• Students meet with instructor to review what the students want to have happen during the session. The instructor may raise some key reading comprehension issues as well as some critical issues that may be negotiated into the presentation.
• Students finish preparing presentation and give assignment to students.
• Students make their presentation.
• After the presentation, classmates quickly name four or five things they like about the presentation and one or two suggestions for future presentations.

Example of Student-Generated Homework Assignment

Read the essay in the above link. It's short and straightforward. It shouldn't take long to read and respond to.

1.a. Map the Peterson essay by revealing the connectors in each heading. For example "Media messages motivated by profits" is a heading.
b. Create a map of key terms in the Peterson's essay by first underlining the key terms. Write a few sentences that combine them in a way that captures the essence of the essay.
2.After getting to understand the article, answer the following questions.
a. Point out Peterson's argument and tell me if you agree with her or not.
b. What part of the essay made you disagree or agree with Peterson's argument? Give examples.
c. In your own experience, do you think you are one of the victims of Peterson's argument?
d. Peterson gives some examples of how to solve the problem that TV poses for children. Do you agree or disagree? What parts made you agree or disagree.

Evaluation of Presentation