The Beacon Personal Skills Workshop held for both University and Schools Scholars focused on Public Speaking.
The Beacon Personal Skills Workshop was delivered online to both Schools and University Scholars over one day in February 2021, on back-to-back Saturdays. The theme was Public Speaking.
The theory was captured on a video which Scholars viewed in advance of the Workshop. Following an ice-breaker, the first session was spent discussing and ensuring understanding of best practice. To give a flavour, here are some of the slides used:
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Scholars then engaged in a discussion about their Homework – a video of Sir Ken Robinson giving a speech at a TED talk. This was examined for its strengths and weaknesses.
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Scholars were then given an opportunity, in breakout rooms, to deliver 1-minute Impromptu Speeches on unrehearsed topics; each speech was followed by immediate feedback from another scholar – one positive comment, one constructive criticism. Topics included:
- Should everyone become a vegetarian to save the planet?
- What is your favourite hobby/sport?
- Why does diversity in a team matter?
- Can we survive without the internet and how could we do it?
- Why is it so important to think about climate change now?
Finally, again in breakout rooms, Scholars delivered 2-minute rehearsed speeches. The speeches were put to a vote, and the two University and Schools Scholars speeches voted the best were the folowing:
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS SCHOOLS SCHOLARS
