Interested in Becoming an Active Listener?
Faculty, staff, and post-docs at Texas A&M University are invited to serve as Active Listeners at the LAUNCH URS Symposium.
Email ugr@tamu.edu to receive an invitation to register.
Active Listener Role
Faculty, staff, and post-docs are invited to serve as Active Listeners at the LAUNCH URS Symposium. The purpose of these presentations is to help students learn how to improve their oral communication skills as well as their virtual presentation skills.
This event is not judged and there are no prizes. This is a teaching and learning opportunity. Remember, this might be a student’s very first time presenting!
Three Feedback Areas
Active Listeners are asked to focus on the three areas below and provide helpful written feedback for the presentations they have been assigned to review.
- Overall delivery of the presentation
- Effective communication of the research question and why it is important
- Effective visual aids (if used)
Feedback Forms
Feedback Forms will be available online through Google Forms. A QR code and link will be provided to you on the day of the event.
Submit your written feedback for students by February 22 at 5 PM.
Submit your written feedback for students by February 22 at 5 PM.
Tips for Active Listeners
Overall delivery of the presentation
Presenters should:- Avoid speaking too quickly
- Summarize major points, give background and context
- Use strategic pauses to give attendees time to process information
Effective communication of the research question and why it is important
Presenters should:- Use familiar examples relevant to all types of people
- Use simple and clear language
- Define jargon and discipline-specific terms when used
Effective visual aids (if used, not required)
Presenters should:- Use large, bold fonts and simply designed visuals
- Speak to the essential content of visual materials
- Maximize legibility of essential information
- Is a visual aid or visual aids are not used, could one have contributed to the overall success of the presentation?