Speeches on the 7th

Hey! :]

I hope everyone is making it through the end of the semester with some hair left on their head. I know I'M tired of school, that's for sure! How has everyone's speeches come along? I found that it was harder than I thought it would be to persuade in the opposite direction. I thought because I didn't care about the legalization of pot that it wouldn't matter! I suppose I was wrong.

Just checking in and seeing if any of you felt the same way!

ONE MORE SPEECH! ah i can't wait!

Persuasive Speeches....

How are your speeches coming along? I don't feel so prepared for this one :(

last night...

So I hope everyone was as entertained as I was last night. I thought everyone did GREAT speeches and has really wonderful visual aids. Good job guys!

I noticed that many of us (myself included) were somewhat more nervous than before. I'm wondering if this was because it was a whole new topic? Or that the visual aids were a distraction or something? Who knows, but it was all good an informative.

To our counterparts at the University...sorry I was being a dork in the camera :]. I like to always keep myself, and hopefully others entertained. Next time I won't be a distraction! haha.

Everyone have a good weekend! Stay safe, don't drink and drive and all that good stuff...and get to work on the next speech...I want to be persuaded!

:]

Visual Aids

Guys I have been out of the net for minute, but i'm back now. I have been looking at some tip for the visual aid speech and ran across some simple things that might help. Looking and week 6 on blackboard which has a ass load of stuff. So I thought I would add to that. Below are some simple steps you can applied. Also a couple websites that have some good info.

Step1 Darken the room slightly so that your slides will be properly visible.
Step2 Leave each slide up for at least 20 seconds.
Step3 If you need to discuss something else between two slides, insert a blank (black) slide between the two slides so that your audience won't be distracted.
Step4 Use software templates to create professional-looking overheads.
Step5 Number your overheads in case you accidentally drop them.
Step6 Apply masking tape to the edges of the projector not covered by the overhead to avoid glare.
Step7 Use fewer overheads by showing only one part of a single overhead at a time.
Step8 Stand next to the screen (not the projector) after you places each overhead on the projector. This way, your audience doesn't have to look back and forth between you and the screen.

Courtesy of: http://www.ehow.com/how_3477_visual-aids-during.html

Also see: http://www.speech-topics-help.com/visual-aid-speech-topics.html

Thanks for listening

Working up the nerve

Hey y'all! I hope everyone has had a great week. It has been hectic for me, but I'm glad the weekend is almost here.

I was really nervous last Thursday when I gave my speech. I did not want to give it, and I almost sweated through both my shirts. I knew I needed to calm myself down before I left my dorm to go to class. I was halfway between MBS and the library when I realized I had left my note cards sitting on my desk. My heart skipped a beat, my pores opened up, and my mind went into a frenzy. I knew I would not be able to give my speech in that condition. Then I thought back to the book where they gave advice on calming your nerves. I immediately put my ipod on "Let Love Move Me" by Donna the Buffalo (awesome song, you should check it out!) and started doing breathing excercising that I was taught back in marching band. I slowed my walk to match the beat of the music, and I inhaled for 4 counts and exhaled for four. Then I went to 8 counts, 12 counts, and finally made it with 16 counts inhale, and 16 exhale. By the time I made it to Bunnell, my mind was totally clear and I was ready to proceed with my speech. And to my surprise, I stayed calm throughout the class and was ready to give my speech.

Homework Anyone???????

Guys

I'm looking for week Reading Questions 4, Quiz #2, and Reading questions 5 all of which due dates are gone. I worried I I might be missing something. If no one has done these them I'm cool, but if some have then can you tell me where to find them. Blackboard is a mess right now and I know Terri is working on this but I don't miss a due date.

Also Terri said that Quizzes would allow for multiple tries. Has anyone been able to get multiple tries?

obama 2004 speech

Regardless of any ones political views. The one thing that I would have to say about Obama's speeches is that they flow out of that mans mouth like he could do that from birth. I had not heard this speech back in 2004 but it is a well spoken speech (saw it on youtube after I read it). The thing that i like about this speech was regardless of what your view is he made you feel as though he was talking to you or the speech was meant directly towards me. One day I hope to have that type of speech confidence.

8 competencies

I just wanted to point out that I keep going back to the week 3 handout on the Tips:working with the speech 8 competencies. It has great information in it. I am just hoping that I can remember it when I am scared to death doing my speech!

Crazy stuff

So.. while reading the chapters the thing that is still stuck in my mind is the fact we process as humans take a lot of our basic processes from granite. For instance when I listen to someone talk. I just assumed this is what happens. They talk and I hear. I never sat down and realized that we actually process a conversation the way that it says we do in the book. Like really who knew. [off subject] Even seeing. Prior to reading this chapter I just was like okay we see and that's it. I know that if you have a sight impairment you don't see as clearly as others but I never really realized that it too is a process.

I will like to take this moment out to say thank you to Kellie for taking the time out of her busy day for scanning the first 7 chapters or the book for me so I took can learn. lol I enjoyed even the extra copies of her hand. Thanks A lot.

Outlines

First I would like to inform everyone that I finally received my text book today {mental cartwheels} So I am doing my final version of the outline and I am looking at the example in the book. I would have to say that I still like the topic outline a lot better. I can understand more what the person is trying to tell me from this one then the full sentence outline. This type of structure is sort of "giving to much info". In a way I feel like I should right my speech then come back and put the correct roman numerals into each paragraph. Does anyone else feels this way or am I just not used to change.

Something that might help us

Class

I have been looking on the internet about public speaking. I found this website that have some good tips. Some of the info is a regurgitation of what we are learning but some offer a different perspective. The website is http://www.ljlseminars.com/monthtip.htm

Mind Mapping

I went to a seminar on Microsoft Excel last year for my work, and the gentleman who presented the seminar had some really amazing software on his computer (and was amazing at speeches!) One program in particular really caught my eye and I ended up buying it, even though it was a little pricey. It is called Mind Mapper and what it is is a way to brain storm and map out your thoughts, on the computer, but with extreme ease. We all remember the circle charts that we learned in grade school right? Where you start with your topic in the center circle and branch off from there? That is essentially what this program does for you, but all automated and on your computer, and then at the press of a button it will convert all of your ideas into a Microsoft Word outline form, or an Excel Spreadsheet. This software is amazing and has actually helped me with several writing classes before! I just thought I would share it with everyone, because if your taking lots of classes with writing papers and such, this might be a HUGE help to you! Check it out!

http://www.mindmapper.com

Week #3 Readings...my a-Ha! moments!

This week’s readings were really helpful for me, and it sounds like many of you too! The kick-off in chapter five in particular gave me an immediate “a-Ha!” moment. As an artist, the four phases of creativity really made sense to me, I have just never seen them written out that way. I never thought that the phases of creativity I use when I paint would be something I could use in writing this speech. I also was really helped by section 6D which talked about how to develop a clear thesis statement. It’s amazing how once sentence can really create direction for you when writing a speech such as this. That was a major help in the process and is something I highlighted for future reference. Did anyone else think of getting a thesis statement for a speech? I’ve always done it in research papers or essays but never for a speech, so I found that really interesting. Learning about Google’s advance search was really cool. I have found, and maybe many of you have as well, that when I’m searching sometimes I get really frustrated when sifting through all the unnecessary or unhelpful information to find what I am really looking for. With more efficient search habits I can clear that up and not waste so much time. Luckily I didn’t have to research much for my topic of Vincent van Gogh but that is something that will most defiantly help me in the future.

In agreement with Jerome

I just wanted to say that the points that Jerome brought up in his blog about the readings were really good points. First, I have to say that I was also wondering about the 90/10 rule that was mentioned in the reading, and thank you to Terri for clarifying that.
I never really thought about how important accomodating for the audience could be in the success or failure of a speech. Hope you all like caffeine!
I also like how Jerome brought up the connectives. I think that it is really important in a speech, or any paper for that matter, to have good transitions. That makes the paper (or speech) so much smoother, and helps eliminate the choppiness.
I also agree about the clincher. If you work so hard on the rest of the speech, you don't want your audience to remember the ending as terrible! Right to the very end it needs to flow smooth.

80:20 Evaluations differs from 90:10 Prinicple? YES

Jerome wondered about the the difference between the 80:20 strategy we use to provide evaluative feedback to each other and the 90:20 principle discussed in The Speakers Handbook.

Good question. The primary difference has to do with the purpose.

The purpose of the 80:20 strategy simply a way to give feedback to a person who is trying to improve a skill. We want to be sure to provide a supportive and honest environment where people can practice their skills. They want to know how they can improve and what they did well. Students (and teachers, and parents, and co-workers) often have a tendency to "whitewash" the feedback because they don't want to say anything that might hurt the speaker's feelings or embarrass him or her.

ToastMasters International uses the 80:20 method to help speakers and evaluators acknowledge that EVERYONE has room to improve and that each of us ACTUALLY does improve with practice and knowledge.

An 80:20 evaluator really pays attention to the speech and the speaker ... and starts the evaluation with something that the speaker has done well and possibly bring up area they have improved. This is the "what worked" focus of much of the evaluation. But the evaluator does not leave it with that. They graciously and honestly inform the speaker how they can do better next time. What specific issues of speech structure and delivery he or she can really work on. Not really "what didn't work," but "what can be improved." And finally the evaluator ends with another positive observation and encouragement.

The idea is to "sandwich" the feedback so that the scary, and very necessary, part is not the primary emphasis of the evaluation .... so that it is preceeded and followed by encouragement. The whole thing should take between 90 seconds and 2 minutes.

The 90:10 Principle is a tool to teach interpersonal communication. It describes the idea that a persons "weaknesses" are not necessarily the opposite of their "strengths." Instead they are an excess of the same quality, habit, or behavior. It teaches the evaluator to "frame" comments in a constructive way that is not hurtful or embarrassing.

Blog Assignment What caused my eyebrows to rise in our reading

1. The process used to accomidate for audience : This is something that is to commonly overlooked. I have never conducted this step when preparing a speech. Of course the bulk of my speeches have been to Army audiences and we teach FORCED PERCEPTION so it was not applicale.
2. The effectiveness of Listening when preparing feedback. One thing I noticed id that the text preach the 90/10 rule as it apllys to feedback, but we use the 80/20 method. Does anyone feel particial to either of these and why?
3. Incubation Period: Who actually does this. I think we all do it. I think that this period is responsible for all my anxiety when I prepare for a speech. One critical thing for me in this period is the take notes. I have found that many of my great ideas and transistion steps are lost here.
4. Connectives: This is desribed as the flow and relationship of main ideas. In my speeches I use UM and Like as my connectives LOL To me, this is one of the most important steps in Organization of a speech.
5. Lastly the importance of a Clincher. Try for it not to be my "Thats all I have to say about that"

My take on the readings for week 3

These chapters for this week were full of really good information for preparing our speeches. Sitting down and making the outline was a lot easier once I read how to create a working outline. I will say that as I was reading about the concept mapping, I really didn't think that I liked it. I could see myself getting confused if I sat down and started writing all these words in circles. I also really liked the indepth explanation in 11B for the full sentence outline. I really like books that have solid examples of what is expected. Finally, I just wanted to mention that I really appreciated the reading about the notecards and how to organize your speech on them. I think that will come in handy when I venture away from the fully written paper to my little notecards for peeking at!!

Step-By-Step Guide to Preparing Your Speech

I. Step One: Decide on a Topic and Purpose

I. Select a topic or theme that reflects your individuality—please don’t recite your life story.

II. Develop a thesis statement that clearly describes what you want to say.(Zarefsky, p. 29, 116-118)

A. Definition: A thesis statement states the idea of your speech in one sentence.

B. Examples:

1. There are three reasons why I want to be an engineer.

2. My trip to Europe taught me the importance of learning a new language.

3. My hometown of Columbus, Ohio was a great place to grow up.

III. Determine your specific purpose for giving this speech.

A. What exactly do you want the audience to know about you once they have heard your speech?

B. Examples:

1. To tell my audience about how being short has influenced my life.

2. To share my experience of volunteering as a Big Sister.

3. To tell my audience why I want to be a teacher.

II. Step Two: Organize Your Speech in a 3-Part Framework

I. Determine the possible main points for your speech.

A. Limit yourself to 2 or 3 main points for this 2-4 minute speech.

B. Each main point should be a major idea relating to your thesis statement.

II. Arrange your main points in an organizational pattern best suited to your topic (Zarefsky, pp. 205-209).

A. If your speech proceeds through time (chronologically), use a sequential design.

B. If you want to show how things are related in space or geographically (such as a trip to Europe), use a spatial design.

C. If you want to describe how a significant event changed your life or why you chose a certain path, use the causation design.

D. If you want to share why you or your topic is similar to someone or something else, use the comparative design.

E. If your speech has no “natural” order or is best related by sub-topics or categories, use the categorical design.

III. Support your main points with examples, facts and figures, narratives, and testimony.

IV. Link your main points together with transitions (Zarefsky, pp. 242-247 ).

V. Prepare an introduction for your speech.(It’s easier to write an introduction after you have developed your main points!).(Zarefsky, pp. 31, 222-232).

A. Include an attention-getter.

B. Include your thesis statement.

C. Preview your main points.

VI. Prepare a conclusion for your speech. (Zarefsky, pp. 34, 234-239).

A. Briefly review/summarize your main points.

B. Re-state (or re-phrase) your thesis statement.

C. Include concluding remarks to tie your speech together and give your audience something to remember.(“I’m done” and “That’s it” don’t count!)

III. Step Three: Prepare Your Full-Sentence Outline.

(Zarefsky, pp.37-38. Also the examples on pp. 263-267, 270-271. Also, see the outline format.)

A. Don’t forget the heading information including: the general purpose, specific purpose, thesis statement, and organizational pattern of your speech.

B. Use standard outlining format and indentation.

C. Use only one complete sentences for each point.

D. Check your spelling and proofread for errors.

IV. Step Four: Condense Your Speech into a Key-Word Outline

I. Select key words and phrases from your preparation outline.

II. Create a key-word outline that will fit on a single sheet of paper or 3 index cards. These are just suggested lengths—use what suits you best, but try to use as few words as possible to keep you from reading your speech. .

V. Step Five: Practice, Practice, Practice

I. Using your key-word outline, practice presenting your speech—out loud—at least three times.

II. Time yourself.For this 2-4 minute speech, shoot for 3 to 3½ minutes.

A. If you have more than 3 main points, your speech is probably too long.Try cutting one of the main points or some of the supporting material.But remember to leave in enough material to make your point.

B. If your speech is too short, add some more supporting material under your main points. If you have only 1 or 2 main points, try to think of another one.

C. Remember to revise your introduction and conclusion to reflect any changes you made to the body of your speech.

III. Practice both verbal and nonverbal delivery.

A. Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend so that you can work on your gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

B. Make sure that your voice is loud, clear, expressive (not monotone) and that you’re not speaking too quickly.

1. Try recording yourself to hear your verbal delivery.

2. When you want to say “um” or “like”, just breathe instead. This is a hard habit to break, but you can do it if you concentrate.

3. Plan your opening and closing remarks so that your eyes are on the audience, not your notes.

VI. Step Six: Be Ready on the Day of Your Speech

I. Try to get a good night’s sleep the night before your speech.

II. Don’t overload on caffeine, sugar, or carbonated beverages before your speech.

III. Dress in clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident.

IV. Bring the following to class on the day of your speech:

A. Speech evaluation form from website.

B. Presentation (full-sentence) outline (to turn in, do not speak from this outline).

C. Key-word outline/note cards.

Remember that everyone gets nervous before speaking in public. Your butterflies, pounding heart, and dry mouth are normal, natural reactions. Take deep breaths and try to relax.

This information is also located in Week 2 of Blackboard. You can go straight to the site this is taken from JP Jackson, Associate Professor at University of Colorado at Boulder. http://comm.cooardo.edu/jjacksson/1300/guide.htm

Kudos to everyone!

I was so nervous for our first speech, and I am sure I'll be pretty nervous for the next. I wanted to thank everyone for helping me through it, even if you don't think you did anything. You were all very respectful and considerate to each and everyone who stepped up to the podium. I'm very glad to have finally forced myself to take this class, it looks like we have a good group of people! Thanks!!

Oh, and everyone did an awesome job!

Speeches

I just want to commend everyone in the class for their informative speeches. When I talk a class I try to get the most out of it. Sometimes that's hard when some fellow students don't take is serious. I was concerned about that with this class because it is a tough thing to do (public speaking).

Also I really don't know why most of you were scare because it did not show. Good job!!!!

speeches last night

I apparently have too much time on my hands, :] and I was reading MSN news and saw this article which is a perfect example of Jerome's speech last night. Check it out:

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=350017&GT1=28103

Good job everyone! You did great! Especially Richard, that was hilarious :]

Very IMPORTANT Deadline coming up!

Now I hope none of you will decide to drop the class. But I want to warn you that tomorrow, Friday January 30th, is the last day you can drop classes and still get a full refund! It is also the last day to add a class and/or to pay your tuition and fees without paying the $100 fine.

See you in class tonight~

Comment on Alexandra's comment on Kelley's post

Alexandra and everyone else, you are doing exactly the right thing if you pick something you know and care about for your diagnostic presentation. When you've thought back on your speech and listened to feedback, you may decide that it was indeed "too much" or "too bland."

The purpose of doing a 2nd speech on the same topic is to help you refine the presentation so that it is NOT too much or too bland. This is gonna be fun tonight. And you are going to be very impressed by the improvement you make over the next month!

speeches tonight!

Anyone care to share the topics for their speeches tonight? I have several things written up, but I'm feeling a little unsure about my topics chosen so I thought I would get an idea from you! :] I can talk for days but speeches are NOT my thing. This should be interesting!

Jean's Philosophical Viewpoint

Communication is central to all human learning processes. I encourage class participation and open discussion in my courses. My philosophical viewpoint incorporates but is not limited to understandings from the Theory of Social Construction of Reality (Berger & Luckmann, 1967). According to this theoretical perspective all human knowledge is intersubjectively constructed. Any sense of objective truth and/or absolute truth is outside the framework in which humans operate to construct reality. Another way of saying this is that in a human world people create, maintain, and transform their understanding of reality through communication (their culture, relationships, and personal experiences and responses).

A notion of a reality beyond our earthbound and human existence is a matter of faith and personal belief (understandings which have been socially constructed over time ever since people began organizing). Regardless of the way in which one may construct his or her reality, the mechanisms of human knowledge construction are essentially the same -- we each are born into a family, an existing social framework and culture(s); we learn a language (or more than one) to communicate; we learn social rules and roles (socialized prescriptions/choices regarding expressions of appropriate and/or inappropriate behavior); we each build, maintain, and let go of relationships throughout our lives.

And it is in this social matrix that we become who we are over time. We construct our own realities based on secondhand human knowledge at best. We add to this historical mix our own unique experiences and perceptions. Some of us add a spiritual understanding of reality too, but no matter how we each believe these ideas and understandings may have originated, they have nonetheless been socially constructed and transformed over time in a human world. The most empowering thing we can do for ourselves in this life full of multiple and potentially conflicting human realities is to become socially responsible, educated, compassionate, critical thinkers and to trust that our own construction of reality will ultimately serve us well both personally and collectively.

-Jean

My Concerns of Speaking out loud

So I figure since we communicate through blog for class that I would express my nervousness at this point. So on Thursday I am suppose to stand up in class and talk for 5 min about something that is informative to my peers. The only thing I can vision is the words in my head but for some reason the words are not coming out of my mouth. Also I realized that hey I talk a lot but never for 5 min straight without having someone else say something back. At this point I am extremely nervous and I have counted 789 "and ums" in my speech already. Just figured I would share with everyone else.

sincerely
Completely nervous in
ClassVille

Jerome Rush Introduction

My name is Jerome S Rush Jr.

I am the third in the line of five siblings, three brothers and two sisters. I am originally form a little town called Esmont VA, which I really love because if give you the country life. I joined the military in 1989. The military has afforded me to see many places and regions I would not have seen otherwise. The military has also given me a rounded base in responsibility and ownership.

I am 37 years old, married to my loving wife of 15 years. I have two kids, Jaylen and Jordan and they are twin. They are truly the highlight of my life.

I am very out spoken and considered a jokester at all times. I say what is on my mind and wear everything on my sleeve. I is absoutly not my intention to offend anyone on my post. I try to be helpful with my comments and alway try to be respectful.

I think this is going to be a great class!!!!

Jerome Commenting on Father Oleska

All,

Here we go starting to blog and this will be one of my interesting blogs. Father Oleska was full communication barriers and bridges in his appearance and spoken tone. First I will start with his appearance. When we hear the word "Father" as a title, we immediately think "oh God!!", or I'm inadequant for this conversation, or he can only be approached by like titles or God. As soon a Father Oleska opened his mouth, then all my reason was gone. His dress communicated holy, but his spoken tone communicated Professor. This delima is like he said when he stated "to undertsand before seeking or demanding understanding." That phase really hit home with me because in my line of work, this is certainly not the case. Most of my colleagues will all demand understanding based on their rank and will almost never try to understand you or the situation.

What really resignated with me was his dress expound intelligence; his use a hand signals and facial expressions enforced his inflictions and discussion points.

He talked about speaking and acting rythms being barriers and bridges in communications. I never really thought of it like this totaly understand his motive. I feel this is more or a problem than we as communicators realize. Exspecially his points on the Teacher-Student breakdown.
My only reccomendation for this video is the speaking tone. Had it not been for his interesting point and sarcastic remarks, He soft speaking tone would have put my to sleep.

About Jake

Hey y'all,
So for starters, this whole blog thing has me all kinds of confused, but I think I have it figured out now.
Well like I said last Thursday, my name is Jacob Merritt, but most people call me Jake. I am 20, own my own car, and live on campus in the dorms. My mother and brother are living in Missouri right now while my father is stationed in South Korea. His being in the Air Force has been a major thing in my life, and moving every few years has definitely made me who I am today. I've lived in Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Alaska, and Florida.
I've been working since I was 15, first at a cafe in Florida, then as a lifeguard, and my last job was here in Fairbanks where I worked at Sears for two years. I am currently working out at Eielson at the high school with the drama program, it is something I love doing. I am a history major, I hope to get my degree and then teach at the high school level.
After graduating I am planning on moving to New York City with a friend, at least for a few years. I would like to end up living in Wilmington, North Carolina. There is not really a reason for the particular city, but I've heard good things about it and I do enjoy the weather in North Carolina.
I enjoy watching television, reading, and driving in my free time. I consider Gene Kelly an idol, and hope to someday perform one of the shows he was in when he was on Broadway.
That's pretty much all there is to me, just a kid with a lot of dreams.
-Jake

Kellie's Response to Father Oleksa

There were a couple of Father Oleksa's comments that hit me:

1. "Communication is approximate and never perfect. Every married couple knows this." SO TRUE! My husband and I are working on 11 years, and I believe that we communicate well. There are obviously times when he doesn't hear what I meant to say, and I'm sure that he feels the same way, but somehow we still get to the same place without to much angst. I have watched friends marriages over the years fail, and one common factor in the failed marriages is lack of understanding/communication.

2. "Adjust to the rhythm of the culture or you will be fired." This should be applied not just to your work culture but all aspects of your life.

3. and then "Afternoon siesta is a wonderful institution." ABSOLUTELY!

finally, those baby sounds were pretty funny...

All About Kellie

Hi all -

My name is Kellie Fritze...full-time wife and mom, full-time UAF staff, and part-time student. I grew up in Seattle. My Aunt and Uncle (moved to Fairbanks in 1957) lived here in Fairbanks and I thought what a great summer trip that would be, so after my Junior year of college I jumped on the ferry in Bellingham and made my way to Fairbanks. Needless to say, it's been a VERY long summer trip - now 20 years later.

Although I love to travel, read, spend time at home, I am not able at this point to do much of any of these things. My priorities are family, work, and now classes. Our son is in first grade, and I volunteer weekly in his classroom. Our daughter will be two in April, and she is a crazy girl - extremely active, loud, and hysterical. She keeps us all laughing :-) .

I am looking forward to completing this course and experiencing this alternative way to take classes.

All About Alexandra

Hello everyone!

My name is Alexandra, Alex for short! I'm 23 years old and I am a Business Administration major here at UAF. I was born and raised in the sleepy little town and wouldn't have it any other way! I am the single mother of a beautiful 3 year old pit bull :] who is my pride and joy! I have a great big wacky family that completes me. My parents have been married 30 years, and I am lucky to have two older brothers who are amazing people. The little light in my life is my 2 year old nephew who is my world. My friends are the greatest gift I could have every recieved. They keep my young and real and always are sure to keep me true to myself. I wouldn't trade them for the world. I am big into art, especially painting, photography and ceramics and I try to do something artistic every chance I get. I also LOVE the outdoors, and try to spend as much time in them during the summer as I can, but I'm not a fan of snow or cold so that hinders me in the winter :]. I'm hoping to have my bachelor's degree by August 2010 and start a new adventure outside of Fairbanks. Until then, I'm employed at an insurance agency and I also bartend all while doing 3/4 time school so I keep really busy! I look forward to brushing up on my communication skills through this class but I HATE public speaking so this should be interesting! I look forward to getting to know you all! Thanks!

OH! also, I have a blog of my own if anyone would like to check it out! http://alexandrarhody.blogspot.com/

and...the pictures are me obviously and my two of my best friends Blake & Alejandro.

All about me!

Hi! I'm Amy Borneo. A 32 year old wife and mother of 3. My daughter Brenna is going on 13 this April. Lord help me, I'll have a teenager! I have two boys, Eddie who will be 10 this next month, and Giuseppe who will be 8 in March. I moved up from Oregon in August 1994, and met my husband Ed the beginning of September 1994. We've been together ever since. I go to school part time, and will earn my associate's in accounting this next semester. I will probably go on to my bachelor's, but may take a little time off. I work full time for Robinson and Associates, and love it!

I keep busy not only with work and school. My daughter is in comp soccer, and I take her to games and practices. My sons are in baseball during the summer, and I catch as many practices and games that I can. I am also active in my church. I serve on the pastoral council and help teach a second grade sunday school class.

I love to travel, hike, read, camp, take pictures, and spend time with my family and friends.

Response to Father Oleksa

In response to Father Oleksa's presentation, I wanted to say that I found it interesting how he explained the different ways that people communicate with each other. I never really thought of everyday communication as a rhythum, and how if your not on that same rhythum the communication doesn't compute with the other person as well as you would expect. My husband comes from a "high rhythum" family, and I would say I am from a "slower rhythum" family. Father Oleksa's expanation of his family's leaving ritual really reminded me of my family. It was hilarious because my husband is pretty much like his wife. Once you say your leaving, he is out the door, where two hours later I am ready to leave for real.

I never would have thought of my husband and my communication rhythum out of sync, but it really explains and makes sense the different ways we were brought up, and how that has affected our style of communication. I also agree with how Father Oleksa says that it takes years to change a given behavior, such as my husband's rhythum having to slow, and my communication having to speed up so that we could meet in the middle and make for a happy marriage!

"But I don't want to give a speech!"

Have you heard that a lot of people would rather face any of their mortal fears than make a speech in public? What's with that? Why are we so fearful of standing up in front of other people to talk? Notice I said
"Why are WE so fearful?"

Me too! I get really nervous, even fearful about speaking in public, and I'm a gal who loves to talk! I can do it all day long! I love to be on stage ..... and I never run out of things to talk about! In fact, I'm a self-proclaimed Talkaholic.

And I still get nervous when I'm asked to talk in front of a group of people.

Symptoms?
Like everyone else, when I give a presentation, my body's defense systems kick in and I get lots of interesting physiological symptoms; heart palpitations, sweaty palms, nervous stomach, shaking hands, dry mouth.... you name it, I've had it. Well, I've never thrown up on the lectern, or actually fainted. But it HAS happened to some of my students! And you know what? The ones who came back to class, got really good at public speaking! And their symptoms eased up for them.

One of my main goals for this class is to help you relax a little when you speak in public. We'll even have some fun. Watch the video at this ToastMaster Club website http://www.hkntmc.org/node/4

Making Introductions
Since this public speaking class is delivered online, we'll get to know each other and communicate through the Class Blog ~ blogging will be the equivalent of "class participation." Click on the "About Terri - Your Instructor" link for an introduction to me.

Your first written assignment is to sign to this class blog on as a Follower, create a profile for yourself, and write a blog post about yourself. It doesn't have to be as long as mine, but it can be if you like. Be sure to upload a photo! More instructions on blogging are in Blackboard.

But we will also introduce ourselves when we meet in the video conference rooms. Half of you will be at UAF main campus and half will be at Tanana Valley Campus. Your first speaking assignment.... gulp! ... will be to introduce yourself in 90-seconds or so!

On the first day of class, you'll take this first step toward becoming a more effective public speaker. You'll stand up . . . and walk to the front of the class. Then you'll introduce yourself, making eye contact with everyone in the room AND with the camera 'cause you'll be on video to half the class! Take 90 seconds to tell a little about yourself and why you are taking this class, or whatever other low-risk topic you might want to choose. There is a 90-second time minimum, a 2 minute maximum.

"But didn't you hear me? ... I don't WANT to give a speech!"
Why am I making you give a speech on the first day? Ya gotta start some time! The thing to remember is that the physiological reactions that occur when you are about to make a speech don't usually last for more than the first 90 seconds of your presentation! So, if you can just “live” through the first minute or so of your speech, all your body's defense systems will start to relax a little.

I often hear speakers say, "Well, I was really nervous when I first got up there, but after a little while I was fine."

A Few Relaxation Tips
So what strategy should you use? SURVIVE! Just live through this introduction. Endure it! Get it behind you!

• Take a few slow, deep breaths.
  
• Force yourself to yawn a few times.
  
• Let your body go limp, then stand up straight.
• Find the muscle with the most tension and focus on relaxing that one ~ for me it is usually my neck and shoulders, sometimes even my scalp!

Nobody is sure why these little tricks work, but they do seem to ease the tension.

Comments?
What do you do to help you relax when you need to speak in front of people? Go ahead and click on the Comment button. Add your helpful hints!

About Terri - I'm your instructor

About Me? I've lived in Fairbanks Alaska since 1985 and this is the best place I've ever lived. My interests run the gammut from dancing, reading, writing, and community service to skiing, biking, and kayaking. I enjoy the theater, the symphony, blues, big band sounds, opera, and rock n roll. I've got studded tires on my bicycle and a headlamp on my helmet in the winter What a hoot it is to ride in the cold and snow. And it saves on gas!

I love to laugh and do a lot of it! My wonderful friends are important to me. Learning is a life-long passion (second in importance to my children). I work a lot but always make room for fun and adventure. I like (no... I NEED) new adventures in my personal (and professional) life. In fact, there is not much I do that doesn't feel like an adventure and I usually succeed in making it fun!

So... if you think this sounds a bit like a profile for an internet dating service, you are actually right! It stared out that way, but since is actually a pretty good description of who I am, why re-write it? Here are some more details, adjusted for the audience, of course:

My job: I have a sort of Portfolio career ... This is evidence of the character trait that has shaped my life, I call it "Ideaphoria." For more about Ideaphoria you can click on this link to a blogposting assignment I wrote during a class I took this past summer.

• I have several rentals (which, unfortunately, do NOT meet the "fun" criteria).
  
• I'm Adjunct Faculty at UAF where I teach Public Speaking, Business and Professional Presentation, and Internet Marketing and eCommerce (I love teaching!) .
• Self-employment: 1) Mediation for AK Court System for Adult Guardian-ship Disputes; 2) Internet Travel Agency; 3) Career, Retirement, and Entreprenurial Coach; and 4) Contract w/ AK Division of Vocational Rehabilitation providing employment services to folks w/ disabilities.
  

My Ethnicity? I'm an Army Brat and proud! Sort of a Mutt-mix Caucasian American from a New Mexico family. I moved 14 times between k and 12 and so have lots of experience with lots of kinds of people. My parents taught us how to enjoy wherever we lived. I am proud to call myself a Fairbanksan... as I said, it is the best place I've ever lived.

My Education:

• A.S Dental hygiene from Ferris State University in Michigan
  
• Twenty years later, I attended UAF - earned a BA in Communication (training and development )
  
• Then a Masters in Professional Communication (facilitation and health communication, training and development).
  
• I'm working on certification as Career/Retirement/ and Entreprenurial Coach.
  
• I'm always taking seminars, workshops, and university classes including: various mediation and facilitation courses, weaving, travel and vacation professional training, wine-tasting, etc
  

I Love to Read! I generally have at least 3 to 5 books going at one time. They are scattered everywhere: stacked high beside my bed, my sofa, in the entry way, on the back of the toilet, in my car, my panniers (cycling saddlebags), and in my purse. Best read ever? "The Soldier of the Great War" by Halprin. Currently, "The Art of Happiness" by the Dali Lama, "Renassance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One" by Lobenstine, "The 4 Agreements," and "Long Tail Marketing" by Anderson. I'm also have a trashy novel and a detective novel going right now.

This stuff is mostly copy/pasted from my first attempt at blogging in the sumer of 2008 when I took a class about Teaching online. http://ideaphoriaworks.blogspot.com/2008/05/introductions-please-this-is-terri.html

So.... any comments?