Conference Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Conference Report - Essay Example Clint Eastwood, Fellow Researcher, Atlantic Marine Ecology Research Group, presented an interesting speech on "Implications of Global Warming for Marine Ecology" followed by the Asst. Prof. of Department of Oceanography, Texas University, Mr. Tony Adams' presentation of "Cleaning the Oil Spills in the Atlantic". The Conference concluded with thanks from Mr. Tim McKenney. Evaluations of the Research Presentations were analyzed to determine the constituents of an effective and ineffective presentation, and, to review and refine their presentation techniques. A 'Presentation Assessment Form' was prepared (Table A), to evaluate each speaker, and distributed to the audience prior to the commencement of the conference. Evaluation was done on a scale of 1 - 6, 1 being the 'Poorest' and 6 being the 'Excellent', on two aspects of each of the five competencies viz. 1) Content: Planning and Organization. 2) Topic Selection. 3) Quality of Content. 4) Style of Presentation 5) Use of Visual Aids and Tools. The feedback was collated and analyzed to determine the number of positive and negative comments and common themes related to ineffective or poor presentations. A total of 138 assessment forms for each speaker were analyzed, of which 66% remarked positive feedback and 'A' grade for Mr. Eastwood's for the 'Quality of Content' in presentation, as against 29% posi tive feedback 'A' for Mr. Tony Adams, with 'Style of Presentation', being given the most frequent negative grading 'C'. The assessment scheme was evolved after a careful consideration of some important competencies. Since effective presentation is "to present information in ways that influence peoples' attitudes and behaviour" (Verderber, 1997:6), 'Quality of Content' and 'Style of Presentation', were marked as two prime competencies. The importance of 'Para-linguistics' (Hayton, 2005), the non-verbal communication like eye contact, directing voice to all parts of the room etc, cannot be overemphasized. The audience also participated in the presentation, through "feedback on assessed work" which was "perhaps the most commonly mentioned" (Ramsden, 1992; Biggs, 1999) review tool. Additionally, audience participation has also been envisaged in a 'Question and Answer Session'. It was also meant to develop constructive critiquing techniques, by providing the opportunity to the audience to 'identify and assess the style of speech, evaluate the content, judging the weak and strong points of delivery, and be capable of offering quality feedback to the speaker' (Hooper, 2005). Thus developed, after much deliberation and thought, it was hoped that this scheme will affect "the deep processing results in well-structured learning outcomes" (Biggs, 1979; Marton and Saljo, 1976; Trigwell and Prosser, 1991; Watkins, 1983). An example of a Good Presentation: In this conference, Mr. Clint Eastwood's

Syriana review Movie Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Syriana - Movie Review Example A scene in the movie which can be compared to a real life event is whereby a CIA operative Robert Barnes is sent to Lebanon specifically in Beirut, to carry out the kidnapping and killing of a Prince known as Nasir Al-Subaai. Prince Nasir is condemned to death because of the fact that he wants to develop the infrastructure of his Country. The other reason is that he intends to give oil exploitation rights to china who happen to be the highest bidders. An event which can be compared to this scene is the 1973 oil crisis (Salterio). This oil crisis was started by the Egypt and Syria who are affiliates of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. This was a result of a conflict between the two Countries Egypt and Syria with Israel. Syria and Egypt vowed not to export petroleum to nations that supported Israel against them. The president of US Richard Nixon supported Israel financially in the conflict. Arab oil producing Countries such as Saudi Arabia increased the costs of oil on the US to large extent. This real life scenario shows the fight that was taking place in a bid to secure war in historical periods (Salterio). Oil was used a tool for punishing the US for supporting Israel against oil producing giants. The same way Prince Nasir in the movie Syriana was punished for being on the wrong side of the oil war. The movie clearly displays the struggle between the developed Countries as they fight for the control of oil in the Middle East. Salterio, James W. "Politics and Politicians in Films :Contrasting Viewpoints in American and Foreign Films." 2008. 15 November 2014