CHATBOT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FOR THE ONLINE VERSION OF
“STRATEGIC BUSINESS COMMUNICATION”
Q1. How do I access a document on Google Drive from Canvas?
A1: In the left-hand navigation pane click on Google Drive and then find your document from there.
Q2. For the personality quiz assignment, we are instructed to record our results in a word document. Are we to just type the four letters of our type or do you also want us to elaborate on our results?
A2: Just include the four personality type letters in the document. It’s always fun to read about you if you want to reflect on your personality type, so if you care to add more to your docume, that is finet.
Q3. Is there a certain number of questions we need to add to the Q&A document or is it just a general chatbot for everyone to use throughout the course?
A3: To get credit, you MUST add at least one question before the assignment due date. Adding more than one question over the semester would be even better. You may also provide an answer to any question if you are fairly certain you have the correct answer. Also, you should review the Q&A document over the course of the semester, say, once a week, to add new questions if you have them, add answers, and re-write existing questions to make them more clear. This document helps us be aware that there’s a place we can ask questions and support each other, in the event that the Professor is unable to answer in a timely fashion and/or if there are other students asking the same questions.
Q4.For the Team Communication and Difficult Situations assignment, is the assigned chapter for this assignment "Ch 2 Teamwork & Difficult Conv.pptx"?
A4: Yes, Chapter 2 PowerPoint in canvas is the presentation that is used for this assignment, as well as the related Ch. 2 videos that have been uploaded.
Q5. Will our grades be posted periodically throughout this summer session or will we find out at the end of the course?
A5: Grades will be posted throughout the semester. The timing of posts depends on the instructor but a reasonable expectation is that scores will be posted within one week of the assignment due date.
Q6. If we’ve directly asked the instructor a question whether through email or via Canvas and it has been answered, should we still post the question to this forum?
A6: Yes, please post all questions--answered or unanswered to the Q&A document. Chances are good that your questions are the same as your classmates’ so the Q&A document becomes a community help file.
Q7. When practicing our PitchVantage assignments do we upload all of our practice sessions and you choose which one has the highest grade, or are you able to see our practice sessions directly?
A7: The instructor is able to see only the videos you upload. You should upload only those you want the instructor to see.
Q8: Does PitchVantage track the number of sessions created and length of time of each session and share this information with the instructor?
A8: Yes, the instructor sees this information for each student: number of sessions, total time, highest score, score average, last 10 scores and date of last session.
Q9. For quality purposes, would you recommend using the phone app version of PitchVantage or the desktop version?
A9: You will get better scores if you use the desktop/laptop version as the desktop/laptop microphone and camera will be more reliable and with less background noise.
Q10. What are some tips for improving your tone scores on PitchVantage?
A10: Please refer to the video help files available on PitchVantage. Some tips include 1) if you sound positive and interactive it will go up 2) be extremely clear 3) maintaining eye contact is important and 4) make sure you sound like you are very invested in the topic- as it keeps the audience engaged.5) Put your laptop on a desk or table and prop it up on some books to keep the camera at eye level. You don’t want to be looking down at your audience, so keeping the camera at eye level is important.
Q11. Are the PitchVantage videos we upload available to be seen by the whole class?
A11: No, only the instructors see the videos and only the ones you upload. The instructor may want to share your video with the class and most likely will ask your permission before doing so.
Q12: How often should one practice PitchVantage to improve presentation and communication skills?
A12: “With consistent practice effort, the majority of students see improvement in their PitchVantage scores in as little as 5 practices. Practice not only includes your practice sessions, but also involves reviewing the feedback and tutorials between practice sessions. Focus on
making modest adjustments to your vocal delivery. Personal development is individual. Once you've improved your presentation style to a place that you feel comfortable, then you'll want to aim for consistent quality each time. You'll want to practice enough so your best presentation style becomes second nature. The tips and feedback you learn along the way will become basic habits that you default to every time you present, and you'll sound great each time. The more you practice the better your presentation will be.” - Daniel Tatum (Representative of PitchVantage)
Q13: What is the best way to start a speech? Question or quotation?
A13: Either might be best, depending on the topic and the audience’s relation to it. A Question Approach seeks to create cognitive dissonance in the hearer and challenges existing belief. A Quotation Approach, on the other hand, might seek to establish or extend a belief held by the audience.
Q14: Does Canvas show how many times a week we checked the material of the course? If yes, is it being graded?
A14: Canvas only makes available the total amount of time a student has Canvas open. Individual instructors may use this information as a general indication of student engagement with the materials of the course.
Q15: How long should we expect grading on our assignments to be completed? Will our grades be uploaded to Canvas?
A.15: Grades will be posted throughout the semester. The timing of posts depends on the instructor but a reasonable expectation is that scores will be posted within one week of the assignment due date.
Q16: Are the grade weights on Canvas accurate? Team work and assignments are set to 0% of total grade.
A16: Grade weights should be accurate. If you see an issue, discuss it with your instructor.
Q17: Are there videos by the professor to explain each chapter in addition to the Powerpoint?
A17: Yes, most textbook chapters include not only the text but also a PowerPoint presentation of the chapter content and one or more recorded videos of the chapter content. To see the complete chapter PowerPoint view the *.PPTX file in Normal mode.To see the PowerPoint slides associated with the video, view the file in Slide Show mode.
Q18: What do you expect from students at the end of the course?
A18: Here are the official course learning goals:
CLG1. Students will enhance their written communication skills individually and as part of a team through submission of several memos, executive summaries and research reports pertaining to their analysis and interpretation of case study assignments and properly cite published documents.
CLG2. Students will enhance their oral communication skills individually and as part of a team through their classroom presentations which articulate their solution of case study assignments.
CLG3. Students will understand and be able to clearly articulate quantitative findings to solve business problems using descriptive statistical methods and regression.
CLG4. Students will be able to use data management and visualization tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel) as aids in communicating quantitative information.
CLG5: Students will understand the importance of integrity in conducting
research, analyzing data and reporting results.
Q19: If I cannot make my instructor’s office hours, how can I meet with my instructor?
A19: Each instructor will try to be as flexible with their office hours as possible. Propose two-three alternative days/times and see if the instructor can accommodate your schedule.
Q20: Are all of the oral presentations done via PitchVantage?
A20: Unless otherwise instructed by the professor, all oral presentation in the online format of the course will be via a video upload through PitchVantage. In the face-to-face format of the course, practice will be via PitchVantage with a live, in-class presentation.
Q21: If we do happen to struggle with members on our team and have exhausted all other options of diluting their potentially negative role, what is the best course of action in addressing the situation?
A22: The best course of action in these impossible situations is to inform the instructor (or employer if at work) of the situation and, while doing so, propose a plan of action to get the work of the team accomplished. Most likely, if the issue is one other member, the best plan might be to proceed without that member. If there are multiple team member issues the instructor/employer might need to dissolve the team and start over.
Q22: Given that this course is remote and a multitude of information is posted at once with a due date, what have you found is the best, most efficient way to review and understand everything in the module and complete the assignments? (I.e. going through the presentations one day, videos/handouts the next, and tackling the assignments on another day? Or taking one whole day to assess everything?)
A22: Learning theory suggests that more is gained if the learning is spaced out over a period of time. In a course that is structured as a topic per week, the best learning strategy might be to complete some work on the materials and assignments each day. Begin the week by creating a schedule for how you will work on all your course assignments each day of the week. Creating a plan of action is the best way to stay organized, complete your assignments, and learn the material and concepts in the process.
Q23: Is PitchVantage being used in the business world, or more specifically just for college? It seems very helpful overall.
A23: PitchVantage is being used in the business world, though they don't have as much reach there yet as they do with colleges and universities. One of their primary corporate partners is Power Presentations https://www.power-presentations.com/. As a result of their partnership, they are currently working with Ernst & Young as part of their presentation development course. Here is a link to their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/PowerPresentation
Q24: Is there a limit to the amount of attempts we can use on PitchVantage when completing an assignment?
A24: The only limit is calendar time before the assignment is due. You may practice as many times as you like. Remember to upload your best practice session for grading.
Q25: Is the score we get in PitchVantage our grade that we get on Canvas?
A25: No, each oral presentation assignment has its own rubric used for grading. You will see the rubric with the assignment. PitchVantage focuses on only your delivery, not the content, or the visual aids, or even your posture in presenting. These other criteria are all part of your grade and your instructor will use the rubric in Canvas to assess you.
Q26: Do we get graded based on how often we practice on pitchvantage?
A26: No, the number of practice sessions is not included in your oral presentation grade. However, the more you practice with PitchVantage the better your final score is likely to be.
Q27: Should we practice randomly on PitchVantage or only when we have assignments?
A27: “You'll want to practice enough so your best presentation style becomes second nature. The tips and feedback you learn along the way will become basic habits that you default to every time you present, and you'll sound great each time. The more you practice the better your presentation will be.” - Daniel Tatum (Representative of PitchVantage)
Q28: Is PitchVantage being used in underdeveloped countries like those of Africa?
A28: PitchVantage has international users but markets outside the U.S. have not been a focus to this point.
Q29: Is it essential that we practice on PitchVantage? How much does practicing on there count towards our final grade?
A29: Using PitchVantage is not “essential” in that actual practice time is not included as part of the grade. However, research indicates that oral presentation delivery improves with practice. So, more practice likely results in a higher overall presentation score. Also, as one student answered, “Practicing on PitchVantage gives you an ultimate idea of what the real world presentation would look like. It is important to maintain the same speech and eye contact during the presentation and that’s what PitchVantage teaches you.”
Q30: While giving a speech, is it important to give the backstory about the topic or go straight to the topic?
A30:Providing the backstory mostly depends on the level of understanding of the audience about the topic. Do they need to be educated about the topic so your presentation makes sense?
Q31: How many quizzes will we be having during this course?
A31: Each instructor decides on the number of quizzes to include in the overall grading. Consult the syllabus, assignment list in Canvas oir just ask the instructor.
Q32: Whenever we have a question about this course, are we allowed to ask them here, or message the instructor privately?
A32: It’s very likely that other students have the same questions you do. Posting them to the Q&A document helps ensure that the answer gets shared quickly. It does not hurt to post the question in the shared doc AND ask the instructor. You might remind the instructor that you already posted the question.
Q33: Will there be a group project or presentation in this course?
A33: A group project is not currently a major component of the course. Some instructors may assign group work.
Q34: After finishing the Q&A assignment, do we have to submit or we are good as long as you see the questions?
A34: A shared Google doc includes Revision History to show who contributed what to the shared document. If adding to the Q&A is an assignment the instructor will be able to see your contributions by using Revision History. You do not need to submit anything separately.
Q35: In Google docs, how do you see which student asked which questions?
A35: Revision History indicates who contributed what to a shared document.
Q36: Obviously PitchVantage grades us but this number isn’t our actual grade for the assignment. Does our Canvas grade result from the improvement of our PitchVantage score and not any raw score?
A36: The PitchVantage scores are not included in your grade. These scores are to help you identify and improve on certain aspects of your delivery. You grade will be determined by your overall oral communication performance, including Delivery, which PitchVantage will hep you improve.
Q37: When starting a speech is it alright if you ask your audience a question which will make them think more about the topic of the speech?
A37: Asking a question is a good technique to use to get the audience to focus and reflect on the topic.
Q38: (Applies to Summer Session only) For the writing assignment for Chapter 4, after we’ve read the material where can we find questions 1 or 2 that we’re supposed to answer since there isn’t an actual textbook to flip to page 101?
A38: The questions from the textbook for this assignment are included in the instructions assignment on Canvas.
Q39: When will final grades be posted?
A39: The timing of grade posting depends on the instructor, but, in general, posting is likely within one week of the last day of the semester. The scores in the Canvas Gradebook likely provide an estimate of your final grade.
Q40: When is the next assignment due?
A40: Assignment due dates are posted on Canvas with the assignment. Use these due dates unless you are advised of a different date by your instructor.
Q41: How come the Stakeholder Assignment Team document is not available under assignments yet?
A41. The instructor may be holding the document until the assignment is discussed, maybe revising it or may have inadvertently not made it accessible.
Q42:When I go to sign up for Pitch Vintage with my university email address it states I need a “valid email address” what is the solution for this?
A42. Try using Google Chrome as the web browser to register an account..Also, if you're having sign-up issues is to contact PitchVantage directly at support@pitchvantage.com The company seems to respond quickly.
Q43: I accidentally created a new account for Brytewave, but I just saw the email saying the books were already purchased and an account was created for me. I assume this was through financial aid like explained in the syllabus. I’m not sure what to do because it’s saying I have no books in my shelf now. Does this mean I have to buy them myself now even though the account was already created and the books were purchased through financial aid?
A43: If you received an email from Brytewave <donotreply@redshelf.com> saying that an account was created for you, and a temporary password was provided, copy that password and paste it when you log into https://brytewave.redshelf.com/library/. Use your NetID@mail.montclair.edu to log in. If logged in successfully, you should see “BUGN 280: Strategic Business Communication” on your shelf.
Q44: I never received an email with the temporary password. How can I access the book without my account information?
A44: If you never received an email from Brytewave email <donotreply@redshelf.com> about your account or new e-books added to your account, go to https://brytewave.redshelf.com/accounts/forgot and type your NetID@mail.montclair.edu and click “Request Reset”.
You will then receive an email with the link to reset your password. Once you click the link, change type your new password and go to https://brytewave.redshelf.com/library/. You should now see “BUGN 280: Strategic Business Communication” on your shelf.
Q45: I just had a quick question about the chapter 1 Establishing Credibility assignment. Do we read the chapter straight from the textbook, or do we just read the links you posted? And then we find a video or article from another source that relates to one of the topics in the text to answer the two questions. Is this correct?
A45: You should read the chapter first, then find something specific in the chapter that you’d like to learn more about. Next, find an article or video from another source that relates to the topic and following the assignment instructions to craft you answers to questions 1 and 2.
Q46: Is it difficult to form effective communication strategies ?
Q47: Will PitchVantage help us master how to vary pitch, pace, and volume effectively?
A47: Yes PitchVantage has tutorial videos that you can watch and master your speech and presentation. Before every recording of your presentation front of your virtual audience videos gives you pointers.
Q48: Does a communicator necessarily need to focus on all the three well-established factors listed in Chapter 1 to have a good reputation ?
A48. According to the textbook, research shows that the three components are crucial factors that determine whether a person is credible or not. The three components, competence , character, and caring, act as the three legs on a stool. They create stability in your credibility. Without trust you can not expect your consumers and or clients to believe what you are saying. With trust comes knowledge, meaning competence. If you have no knowledge on the topic you are talking about, with no factual information you will not be able to build credibility. Without one of the “legs” the stool will be unbalanced, so without one of these main components your credibility will no longer be solid.
Q49: I reset my password and reached out to the support for Brytewave, but I still have not been able to get access to my textbook. Is there anything else I can do?
A49: First, make sure you are trying to access your Brytewave account with your @mail.montclair.edu email address and not your @montclair.edu email address. If that does not work, reach them both by email support@brytewave.com and by telephone 1-877-612-2233, select option 2. From there you just need patience.
Q50: What is the most important tip that all public speakers should be given before they give a speech?
A50: Different speakers might have different answers, but most would include practicing the speech beforehand, knowing the topic thoroughly, and developing some self-confidence.
Q51: How can i improve my public speaking skills?
A51: During this course, review the training videos available on PitchVantage and use PitchVantage to practice all oral assignments. In public situations, find opportunities to present. Seek out the Toastmaster organization in a town near you.
Q52: I am slightly confused about the Chapter assignment work. Should we be reviewing what we read in the chapter and submitting it under the assignment on canvas?
A52: Read the chapter and pick out a single topic of interest to you. Research that topic to find more information. Follow the guidelines in the assignment instructions to write your responses to questions 1 and 2. Upload your Word document using the link provided in Canvas.
Q53: How does the professor know who has added a question or answer to this document to then give them credit?
A53: Since this file is a Google doc, the professor can see the name of who made what comment and when by looking at File/Revision History. So everytime you add something to the document the professor will be able to go back and check who made the edit.
Q54: I am having difficulties setting up Brytewave. I have to use it for my other class and I am having the same issue. Both of these books have been automatically purchased but there seems to be a lot of issues on their end. If my book does not show in my shelf, what am I advised to do?
A54: If you received an email from Brytewave <donotreply@redshelf.com> saying that an account was created for you, and a temporary password was provided, copy that password and paste it when you log into https://brytewave.redshelf.com/library/. Use your NetID@mail.montclair.edu to log in. If logged in successfully, you should see “BUGN 280: Strategic Business Communication” on your shelf.
Q55: Are we going to be using PitchVantage throughout the whole semester?
A55: Each instructor uses PitchVantage differently but most use it for up to five assignments over the course of the semester.
Q56: I have a question about the chapter 1 and 2 assignments. It states that we need to decide on a topic. Is the topic the chapter title or is it something else?
A56: You may choose any topic that is discussed in that chapter. Usually it will be a topic that has a particular interest for you. Headings and sub-headings in the chapter offer sources of topics.
Q57: I am very confused on how to complete the “Identifying and Diluting Negative Roles” assignment. Is it based on a chapter in the textbook?
A57: The assignment is based on a PowerPoint presentation. However, you should be able to complete the columns using your team experiences.
Q58: Do students practice on PitchVantage whenever they want or do we wait until the professor directs us to use it?
A58: You are encouraged to use PitchVantage as a tool to improve your skills, meaning you should use it until you feel confident in your skills, not just to complete assignments.
Q59: For the Chapter 1 & 2 work, do we use only information from the textbook or can we use it from anywhere online? Does it matter how it is worded and can we use our own examples?
A59: For the chapter article assignments you are to use the text to select a topic. Then, use another source such as a podcast, news broadcast, magazine or newspaper to get additional information on the topic you chose. To complete the assignment follow the instructions for writing it.
Q60: For the assignment this week, “Identifying and Diluting Negative Roles”, is the information all in the textbook?
A60: The assignment is based on a PowerPoint presentation. However, you should be able to complete the columns using your team experiences.
Q61: Is PitchVantage something we will be using for the entire semester or was it something we just used for one of our first assignments to get to know us?
A61: Most instructors will assign oral presentations over the duration of the semester. Use PitchVantage to practice each assignment.
Q62: Do we have any team projects?
A62: There is one team assignment that is required in all sections of the course. It is named “Stakeholder Assignment TEAM Plan”.
Q63: What chapter is the assignment “Identifying and Diluting Negative Roles” based on?
A63: The assignment is based on a PowerPoint presentation and is related to Chapter 2 in the textbook. However, you should be able to complete the columns using your team experiences.
Q64: On PitchVantage will you get a better score if you make eye contact with the camera or the people displayed on the screen?
A64: "Eye contact" in PitchVantage is only evaluated if you upload slides and practice along with them. In these instances, you get a better score by speaking while the audience is on the screen, and pausing when your slides are on the screen.
Q65: I use PitchVantage for two different courses and I had to submit an introduction video for both courses. One of them was a minute long and the other was 30 seconds. I noticed the grade was significantly worse on the shorter video despite my many attempts. How accurate is the PitchVantage grading system and does the length of the speech impact how strictly it grades you?
A65: Every practice session is followed by feedback on what needs to be improved; this holds true whether it's a 30-second session or much longer. The grading system is accurate and consistent, and uses the same evaluation scale every time you practice. If anything, a very short session like 30 seconds represents a small sample size. You don't have as much time to correct yourself as you practice; you need to have good variability from start to finish.
Q66: Is PitchVantage a newer platform that is being seen more in the business world these days?
A66: Yes, the company behind PitchVantage is focusing on universities and businesses, mostly in the U.S.
Q67: How are you going to pick our team for our group projects?
A67: Each instructor does this differently, even varying method by semester; some do it randomly, some allow self-selection, some try to balance the teams by the declared concentration of the students.
Q68: Since the ebook is a hybrid of other books, what’s the best way to navigate through it?
A69: Page iii in the front of the text is the Table of Contents as it relates to the text. Instructors will use this ToC when referring to a section of the text.
Q69: Will there be any extra credit assignments to boost our grade or to make up any missed assignments?
A69: Course instructors vary in making extra credit assignments available. One view is that a part of the college experience is becoming familiar with the world of work. There is no extra credit at work and may not be any in this course.
Q70: How do we upload PitchVantage Videos to Canvas?
A70: Click Review at the top, Click View next to the video session you want to upload, Click Upload, Click Continue, Click OK after the upload is complete
Q71:What are some things I should do to improve my public speaking skills and presentation skills?
A71: PitchVantage has many tutorials that will help you improve your oral performance. The key is to practice, practice, practice.
Q72: For the chapter article assignments, do we need to submit the link separate or should we include inside the document with our paragraphs?
A72: Submit the link to your source(s) as a part of the Word document you upload
Q73: Does PitchVantage give us a grade, or do you?
A73: The instructor decides on the grade, using a rubric, and records that grade.
Q74: How can we upload videos for multiple classes on PitchVantage?
A74: If students need PV for multiple classes, please email dan@pitchvantage.com He can help you get set up quickly so you *don't need to pay a fee.* Once your account is updated, you'll be able to choose which class to practice/upload videos when you log in.
Q75: For the chapter article weekly assignments, do we need to MLA or APA cite our sources? Would it be acceptable to just include the link to the article/video/audio?
A75: Businesses generally use APA citation formatting. You should include both the APA citation and the URL.
Q76: Since this class is asynchronous online, do we have any Zoom meetings or regular times each week that we are meeting?
A76: Asynchronous online course do not have any Zoom meetings for the entire class.
Q77: After recording a video on PitchVantage, is the grade they give us the one that you will give us as well?
A77: The instructor decides on the grade, using a rubric, and records that grade.
Q78. What are the different communication skills we will learn throughout the semester?
A78: Understanding the problem/question, creating an objective, conducting audience analysis, developing a strategy for the message, preparing the message, designing it, formatting the message, proofing, and delivery. We will do this for written, oral, and teams.
Q79. What are the three components of credibility mentioned in Chapter 1 of the textbook?
A79: The three components of credibility are competence, caring and character.
Q80. How can we improve our PitchVantage scores?
A80: PitchVantage has many tutorials that will help you improve your scores.
Q81. Explain more about how to complete the chapter article assignment.
A81: Here are the main steps to completing the chapter article assignment: 1) Read the chapter, 2) Pick out a topic that interests you, 3) Research that topic and find an article or video that provides more information on the topic, 4) Write a summary of the article following the assignment instructions, 5) Upload the article through the Canvas link.
Q82. What are some good tips for speaking in front of a large audience in real life and in PitchVantage?
A82: Particularly with a large audience, there may be concern about the person in the back of the room being able to hear as clearly as people in the front row. You'll want to make sure you're projecting enough. Of course, in real life, you may make some adjustments based on having a microphone. You'll likely have an easier time projecting from your diaphragm, and having enough air by standing while you practice and present. On PitchVantage, you can use wireless headsets. Some headsets have longer wires. Also, you may be fine using the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile device. Experimenting with the distance and your own voice is highly encouraged. You'll be able to find what's comfortable for you, while also giving a good presentation that will reach everyone in the crowd.
Q83: How can we improve public speaking within a large group?
A83: Two issues with speaking to large groups is nervousness and volume.See tips on breathing to ease nerves. For better volume, speak loud enough so the person in the last row of a large audience can hear you. There's also the psychological portion of being in front of a large group. Some people get nervous, some people don't. With the nervousness, particularly, it's important to breathe. If you don't breathe, you'll strain your vocal cords, you won't be able to speak, and this compounds all of those feelings of nervousness and doubt. That's my biggest recommendation. Remember to breathe and slow down your pace just a bit. A lot of times, speakers will speak *faster* when they're nervous because they want to get it over with, or they're fearful they'll forget something.
Q84: Is there a way for us to view ourselves when working with PitchVantage?
A84: To view your oral performance using PitchVantage, create a video and then watch the video.
Q85: If we have a project for this course do we pick our team?
A85: Each instructor does this differently, even varying selection method by semester; some do it randomly, some allow self-selection, some try to balance the teams by the declared concentration of the students.
Q86: How often do we have to submit questions on chatbot?
A86: The chatbot will be open to answer your questions for the entire semester. The assignment to add questions ends mid-semester.
Q87: How do I feel less anxious about public speaking in front of large groups?
A87: PitchVantage allows one to choose the size of the audience so using that feature will help. The other thing to do is get in front of a large group and present. Local civic and social organizations offer opportunities for presenting to large groups and they are always looking for presenters.
Q88: When completing the chapter article assignments, can we use other sources that are not listed in the example?
A88: Using other sources for the chapter article assignment is perfect.
Q89: How will we be graded for a PitchVantage assignment?
A89: Each oral presentation includes a grading rubric. The instructor will review your video and apply the rubric.
Q99: Has the fast development of social media caused a change in the way we communicate and present topics?
A99: Yes, social media has contributed to our messages being shorter, more informal, and more frequent.
Q100: What are the tips and tricks that make public speaking seem more natural?
A100: Being prepared and practicing are the key tricks to make presentations seem more natural.
Q101: I noticed that taking pauses while presenting was an important key while on PitchVantage, when should we pause during a presentation?
A101: Effective presenters use pauses for emphasis, when they want the audience to reflect on what was just said.
Q102: What are some ways to improve our scores on PitchVantage?
A102: To improve your oral presentations using PitchVantage make use of the many tutorials and practice, practice, practice.
Q103: Do you grade our presentations by the grade that they give us or your own grade?
A103: Your oral performance grade will be given by the instructor based on a rubric and will not be derived from the PitchVantage score.
Q104: While I practice on PitchVantage when the virtual audience moves it makes me nervous, is there a way to turn off the audience?
A104: Seeing an audience and practicing being calm and collected during oral presentations is exactly the purpose of PitchVantage. You might try ignoring the audience during a few practice rounds or determine that you are going to beat these virtual humans by not doing all the things that make the audience members fidget.
Q105: Does the PitchVantage score influence the score I receive for the course? Or is the score on PitchVantage more for self evaluation?
A105: The score you received at the PitchVantage site is for your self-improvement. Your grade will be decided by your professor using an oral presentation rubric.
Q106: In PitchVantage, does it matter what settings we choose? Like the presentation or audience type when doing an assignment.
A106: The settings you chose may impact your PitchVantage score but will not matter in terms of the video you produce for grading.
Q107: If we finish all the assignments for a given week, is it ok if we move ahead? Or is it better if we stay with the material that is being covered for the week?
A107: Yes, you may move forward with assignments for upcoming weeks. There is at least one team assignment you cannot complete before the team is assigned. Also, note that the instructor may not grade your assignments until after the announced due date.
Q108: When doing the chapter article assignments, how do we access the library resources?
A108: You may access Sprague Library resources through their website https://www.montclair.edu/library/ You may also use resources you find online.
Q109: How often do we have to present our article assignments?
A109: While the number of assigned chapter articles differs by instructor, the most common number is four.
Q110: Is the final exam going to be based on a specific chapter or multiple chapters?
A110: Most sections of Strategic Business Communications do not have a final exam. If one is required by an instructor, it will be up to that instructor to determine the scope of the exam.
Q111: How many group presentations will we have during the course?
A111: In most sections of the course there is one group presentation.
Q112: Can we use a Podcast discussion or interview (vs. an article or a video) to relate to the chapter topic for our Chapter Article Assignments?
A112: Yes, podcasts are good sources of information, but be careful that the source is unbiased and knowledgeable.
Q113: Is there a way to print any of the text pages?
A113: Through Brytewave, you have access to the e-text version of our customer textbook for this course. Due to our publisher’s rules and copyright laws, there is no mechanism that allows you to print individual pages of the etext.
Q114: In a business meeting, what is the #1 method for keeping an audience fully engaged?
A114: Most audience members will be engaged if they participate. Assigning tasks to individuals or asking them questions will elicit their participation.
Q115: What are some books that will help sharpen the business mindset?
A115: The following is a list of popular trade books that discuss various aspects of effective business communication:
Leadership Communications
· Sinek, S. (2014). Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't. London, England: Penguin.
· Sinek, S. (2009). Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. London, England: Penguin.
· Carnegie, D., & Press, G. (2016). How to Win Friends and Influence People. GENERAL PRESS.
Presentation Skills and Techniques
· Gallo, C. (2014). Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.
· Su, A. J., & Wilkins, M. M. (2013). Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence. Brighton, MA: Harvard Business Press.
Active Listening and Nonverbal Communications
· Headlee, C. (2017). We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
· Carol Kinsey Goman, P. (2011). The Silent Language of Leaders: How Body Language Can Help--or Hurt--How You Lead. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Emotional Intelligence
· Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R. E., & McKee, A. (2013). Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence. Brighton, MA: Harvard Business Press.
Persuasive Communications and Difficult Conversations
· Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high. Singapore: McGraw-Hill Education.
Leading Teams & Effective Team Communications
· Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2009). Strengths based leadership: Great leaders, teams, and why people follow. New York: Gallup Press.
Q116: What are some good articles to read about how to manage a healthy work environment?
A116: The top five Google hits for this question are:
https://inside.6q.io/creating-a-healthy-workplace-environment/
https://hbr.org/2013/05/creating-the-best-workplace-on-earth
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5081153/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/336044
https://biz30.timedoctor.com/ways-to-improve-work-environment/
Q117: What is your best advice for a college grad ready for the real world?
A117: According to: https://www.themuse.com/advice/12-pieces-of-advice-for-new-grads-that-everyone-should-take
Remember These Four Words. Be positive, principled, pro-active, and productive.
Discover Yourself. Consider this job a journey to learn about yourself.
Be Open to Change.
Don't Hide From Mistakes.
Keep Moving Forward.
Learn From Everything.
Make Connections.
Be Patient.
Utilize your co-workers.
Treat everyone with respect.
Keep your own counsel.
Prepare for the future.
Q118: What can I do to improve my public speaking skills and build confidence?
A118: Practicing with PitchVantage and using their many tutorials will build your speaking skills and confidence. And, speaking to audiences of any size, on any occasion will help immensely.
Q119: Will we have a final exam or any exams?
A119: Most sections of BUGN 280 do not require written exams. This is a performing course where the focus is on writing and speaking.
Q120: What is some information that we are able to take from having these PitchVantage assignments?
A120: “PitchVantage provides instant feedback on 10 elements of presentation delivery with personalized tips that help you improve; Pitch Variability, Pace Variability, Volume Variability, Verbal Distractors, Pauses, Pace, Long Pauses, Engagement, Volume & Eye Contact.”
Q121: How important is it to maintain eye contact with your peers during a presentation?
A121: Keeping eye contact with the audience is essential when giving a speech, as it lets the audience know that you have memorized the correct information, on top of giving a more personal connection with the audience, which makes them trust you more.
Q122: What is the success rate of a speech going according to plan?
A122: A speech is considered a success when the audience takes the action the presenter intended. NEED INFORMATION ON SUCCESS RATES
Q123: How can working in a group improve you as a better speaker?
A123: A group or team is really a small, perhaps more intimate, audience. Speaking “in front of” the team is like speaking in front of a “real” audience.
Q124: What is your advice to improve confidence while speaking in front of a large audience?
A124: It comes down to practice. The more you practice getting in front of an audience, the better you will be at it, like most things in life.
Q125: What should you do in a situation where a group member is not cooperating with the rest of the team?
A125: The other team members need to analyze the situation and diagnose the main reasons for the other team member not participating. With that understanding, the non-functioning team member can be guided to a more productive team behavior.
Q126: I have never used PitchVantage prior
to this class, if any technical errors occur during our presentation, wouldn’t that mess up the entire presentation? What should we do if this occurs for safe measures?
A126: The best thing to do if there are technical issues with using PitchVantage is to check the support website for solutions or reach out directly to Pitch Vantage at support@pitchvantage.com
Q127: Personally, I struggle with stuttering during an important presentation. Does anyone else seem to have this problem? If so, what is the best way to help fix this?
A127: Take it one step at a time. Keep practicing and practicing, eventually you will see that presentations are not so bad.
Q128: Knowing what you are talking about in a presentation is important in order to make eye contact with an audience, without looking at a note card. What are some of the best ways to help memorize what you have to talk about in a presentation?
A128: Memorization is not a good solution as the speaker’s struggle to remember the presentation will likely distance the speaker from the audience. A better approach is to GLANCE at any prepared notes to help jog the memory. Practicing the presentation ensured that the overall organization and flow of the message will be delivered entact.
Q129: How can you properly focus while under pressure during a presentation? How do you ease back into presenting if that focus is lost?
A129: Ther speaker passionate about her/his topic rarely loses focus. If focus is lost it is best to stop, maybe look at notes to find the focus, and then continue.
Q130: Are there any group projects? If so, can we pick our own groups?
A130: Most sections of the course have one group project. Individual instructors have preferred methods for composing groups. Some have students self-select while others compose groups by student concentration.
Q131: How do I minimize my use of filler words during a presentation?
A131: See the PitchVantage training video on this topic. Also, understand what you are trying to do, what steps you have outlines to meet you objective, and be confident that your strategy is correct.
Q132: Will there be any extra credit assignments?
A132: The availability of extra credit assignments varies by instructor. Some instructors limit or do not offer such assignments, reasoning that the course is preparation for a career in business where there is no “extra credit”.
Q133: If you have a problem getting into the right section with PitchVantage who should we contact?
A133: You can click the support box and have PitchVantage support team help you with switching your sections.
Q134 Is PitchVantage the only place where we can go to get help practicing? Do you recommend another platform?
A134: Oral presentation practice requires only a speaker and, if you like, a mirror (to make the speaker also the audience) and a willing listener such as a friend, parent or pet. If you want a “live” experience practicing, present to your social group or religious affiliates.
Q135 Are we allowed to work with a group to do assignments? Will there be any extra credit group projects.
A135: Most instructors allow, even encourage, group work on assignments with the understanding that each individual submits original work. Best to check with the section instructor.
Q136: When I was recording the video on PitchVantage, I noticed that the quality of the video was very poor. Are there any other applications similar to PitchVantage we can use for the future assignments?
A136: Most likely the video quality was a function of the local equipment being used or a slow internet connection. These fixes, rather than a different platform, are your best bets.
Q137: What are the penalties for late assignments (if we are able to still turn them in)?
A137: How late assignments are handled depends on the instructor. Some allow late assignments with a penalty, some do not allow late assignments.
Q:138: How will this class help me understand the importance of communication within a business atmosphere?
A138: The material in the textbook, the discussions in class, and the selection and grading of assignments all focus on the importance of communications in business. In the “Stakeholder” assignment, for example, you are asked to be the corporate communications department of a company charged with managing a product crisis that could bring down the company. Talk about the importance of communications!
Q138: If for some reason I have a question during a test, will I be penalized?
A138: No, you will not be penalized, just asked the instructor for help.
Q139: What is the grading criteria for the chapter article assignment?
A139: The rubric for the chapter article assignment is as follows:
4-5 - It is evident that you understand the topic you chose and its significance to business communications, and you coherently and concisely communicate your thoughts with little to no formatting errors noted.
2-3 - Evidence is lacking that you understand the topic you chose and its significance to business communications. There is some evidence of a coherent and concise discussion of the topic, but the discussion is lacking substance. Formatting issues are present.
0-1 - Little to no evidence of thought on the chosen topic with many formatting issues.
Q140: Doing the chapter article assignments, how do we access the library resources?
A140: You should be able to find the library resources you need via this link https://www.montclair.edu/library/ Just type in the name of the resource you want.
Q141: For writing Assessment Cultural Diversity and Global Engagement, assignment how many pages do we have to write?
Q142: For most assignments page count is less important than clearly covering the topic and completely fulfilling all the requirements. For the cultural diversity assignment two-three pages should be enough to complete the assignment.
Q142: For the Writing Assessment Cultural Diversity assignment, what is the maximum amount of pages we can have?
A142: There is no theoretical maximum page count for any assignment. However, businesses prefer brevity so the effort is to meet the requirements of the assignment on as few pages as possible.
Q143: Are there any group assignments in this course? If yes, how do we communicate with our group members?
A143: Yes, there are group assignments. You can communicate with your fellow team members via Canvas email or Conferences or by Zoom.
Q144: What happens when some members of the group do not participate in the group assignments?
A144: The first thing that should happen when a team member does not participate is for the team to communicate with the member to see if the roadblock can be removed. If that does not work the team should approach the instructor who may try to solve the issue. If all else fails the instructor may remove the member from the team.
Q145: If a student started this semester off rocky, what can they do to finish the semester strong?
A145: To recover the student MUST complete all assignments on time and to the best of their ability. Most instructors follow business practices and have no “extra credit” assignments.
Q146: Where can I find what team members are a part of my group for the upcoming assignment?
A146: Each instructor handles this differently. Some notify the students while others create and announce groups automatically through a Canvas feature.
Q147: When using a PowerPoint deck with PitchVantage, slides with text and images seem to meld together such that the text is hard to read and the image plurred. What is the best way to handle PowerPoint decks in PitchVantage?
A147: PitchVantage doesn't pick up slide animations, but it also appears to not convert images/text layered over each other. It looks like converting the slide deck into JPEG format will result in the slides looking clear in PitchVantage. The steps are below, but there is also a tutorial video inside PitchVantage if you click the option to convert to JPEG file.
Open your PowerPoint, click "File" on top left of the screen, click "Save As"
Click "Browse" and select Desktop as location where you want to save
Click "Save as type" and select "JPEG file interchange format"
Click "Save" > Click "All Slides" then click "OK"
From there, click add slides and upload your newly created slides folder. The folder will contain your slides in order.
Q148: Are PitchVantage videos time stamped?
A148: Yes, PitchVideos are time stamped twice. As an instructor, there's a column on the right titled Last Session. This shows the student's last practice time. When you click view under the videos column, there is a separate timestamp for when each video is *uploaded* to the dashboard for you to view (Submission On).
Q 149: Are there any discussion questions/ forums for this class that are part of the learning process?
No comments:
Post a Comment