Though the physical context for the speech may be in a home, school, work, or other social setting (e.g. church, club meeting), the goal is to create a formal and professional speaking context one might find in a college classroom where the student assumes the role of the speaker.
The speaker is expected to stand and deliver their speech from behind a table (with or without a lectern) or to present standing in a manner that allows the presenter to be viewed from the knees up as depicted above. One can create a lectern of sorts by placing a box or a laundry basket upside down on a table and covering it with a cloth. A student with a physical condition that requires the use of a scooter or wheel chair may present from their scooter or wheel chair; however, communication between the student and instructor must occur prior to the submitted speech regarding any physical conditions that would prohibit one’s ability to deliver a speech while standing.
The physical context should be free of any external interference that distracts from the speaker’s speech, such as pets, young children or babies, background sounds or movements, etc.
Sufficient lighting is needed so the nonverbals (facial expressions and eye contact) of the speaker are easily visible.
There is to be appropriate social or public distance between the speaker and any audience members that may be in attendance for this speech.
No audience is required for this first formal (Informative) speech, but audience members may be present and can assist with filming.
As speeches will be recorded and uploaded to the Internet, access to "adequate" digital Audio/Video (AV) equipment is a must. As previously referenced, the recording distance from camera to the presenter is to be from the knees to the head. At this distance the audio must be clear and easily heard. The video quality must allow the speaker’s facial expressions and eye contact to clearly be seen. The video should be a “steady” shot. Like used in live classes, a quality digital video camera mounted to a tripod can work well. Also, quality webcams and plug in microphones provide affordable recording options. Some smart phones or tablets may also provide quality video and audio recording options. Test you resources well before the speech due dates to ensure your recording resources will meet the basic expectations.
The video submitted is to be one continuous video without any editing: stopping or pausing or fading in/out, etc. Any edited videos will earn a zero for the speech.
Time Requirements: The first informative speech should be 4 to 6 minutes long. Going under or over the time requirement will negatively affect the grade. Students may have an audience member assist them with time, such as by holding up time cards during the speech as is done in some live classrooms.
Your video should be filmed in Landscape Mode, not Portrait Mode.
Once the video recording starts do not stop or pause or fade in/out, etc., of the recording.
Next, point the camera at the presenter so that the presenter is directly facing the camera straight on and continue to record the speech. Do not zoom in and out on the presenter, but provide a steady, continuous shot where the speaker’s facial expressions and eye contact can be seen. Keep the camera positioned on just the presenter for the full duration of the speech. Note regarding eye contact: The expectation is for significant sustained eye contact around the room with one’s "potential" audience members, compared to looking at the camera or one’s notes. The use of cue cards or teleprompters or the like placed in the audience is prohibited. However, notecards and/or the student's prepared outline are encouraged.
Once the speaker has finished their speech, please stop the video.
You may re-record your speech as much as you like as long as the submitted file is on time and not edited. Any edited videos will earn a zero for the speech.
One final note. After your speech is finished, please be sure to review your video briefly to make sure that the video was filmed in landscape mode, the presenter is filmed from the knees up, lighting is good, and the video is 4-6 minutes long.
Please record in landscape mode!
There is no visual requirement required for this first formal speech.
Once your video is recorded, you will need to share your speech to the Informative Speech Dropbox in Brightspace. There are several options you may use to share your video with your instructor. Some of these include: Youtube.com, Microsoft OneDrive, and Brightspace Video Recording Tool.
YouTube.com
You can upload videos to YouTube in a few easy steps. This can be done from a computer, phone, or tablet. Please see these instructions for details. Please note that once your video is uploaded, I recommend changing the visibility to "unlisted." Unlisted means only someone with the link can view it. Once you have your link and the video is uploaded, I would also recommend pasting the link into a document and submitting that to Brightspace. Brightspace does not always like URLs pasted into the comments field. YouTube.com is my preferred option for students to share a video with me.
Microsoft OneDrive
KVCC provides all students with a Microsoft OneDrive account as part of your email. So please login to OneDrive with your KVCC username and password to upload your video file. Depending on your broadband connection, it may take a few minutes for your file to upload. Please check out these instructions from Microsoft if you need help uploading a video/file to the OneDrive "cloud."
Once your video is in the KVCC OneDrive Cloud, please follow the instructions below to copy your video file as a link. You will need to copy your video file link to then share it with me in Brightspace in the Informative Speech Dropbox. Similar to Youtube, you may also need to paste your link into a document to share. Similar to Youtube, you may need to adjust your sharing settings. For OneDrive, I would recommend sharing the link to "Anyone." If you need further guidance on sharing a file via a link, please check out this link below:
Brightspace (Using the Insert a Video Note Function)
In addition, you may also use Brightspace's built in record feature. This is similar to how many of you shared your Welcome Introductions. Please check out this link for guidance.
Brightspace (Upload Your Video to Brightspace)
Finally, you may also record your video using your smartphone, camera, or computer, and then upload the video to Brightspace. Please be advised that Brightspace does have some limitations on the file size that can be uploaded.
Students may come to the KVCC campus and use the school’s computers and network for uploading purposes. Any student with access only to dialup connection speeds would not be encouraged to take the online class.
The instructor for Com 104 online does not provide AV technical support nor does he or she teach students how to record, save, transfer, and upload files. Students are expected to have the abilities to perform these tasks or to have access to others who can assist them. Failing to submit quality, playable video files on time will have a negative impact on one’s grade, and may result in no credit for the speech. Trouble with meeting the technology requirements is not a valid excuse for late or missing work. Success in this course involves effective technical and problem solving skills as well as open and timely communication.