TA: Group 3

Analysis: Group Three

So. Splitting the class into geographic groups was interesting, since it made the discussions more specific to personal experience across landscape, instead of a huge range of opinions and experiences. Granted, we still had a lot of variation within our groups (ie. we west coast people had one that taught absolutely zilch about sex ed, while another kid was taught absolutely everything.)

The discussion didn't seem to move very fast... I was losing attention. Perhaps it was just the kid's voice who was presenting, but I was quickly tempted to start daydreaming. I know that not all topics are going to be entirely intriguing, but the presentation at least can be. Anyway. Note to self: Keep it moving. Keep the pace up for all the mentally tired college students.

Also, note to self to be prepared with an actual written outline, and know what's coming next. (Goes along with keeping things moving.) I also noticed that Group 3's slides had WAY too much information packed onto them. Your audience doesn't want to read that much, and the presenters didn't even talk about most of what was on there. [Heh, come to think of it, maybe they did, but my brain was gone.] A third thing was that the other 2 guys in the group hardly said a word for half of the class period. By the time I'd scribbled that note in my notebook, they really hadn't said anything, but afterward one finally switched in. Another note to self: Also keep the presenters moving. That helps keep the pace changed up too, and switches intonation and voices.

And, finally, keep some humor. I laughed when someone said, "Why don't we have Short People History Day?"