Overview
There are 2 steps to this activity. In the first step, you will watch a video on the role of a discussant. In the second step, you will reflect on the qualities we need to give constructive feedback. Take some time to complete this activity before you continue with this tutorial’s content.
Step 1: Watch a video and take notes
Watch the video, “How to be an effective discussant”, taking notes as you go. In the video, Megan Haselschwerdt outlines the role, preparation and delivery of a discussant at a conference. As you make your notes, avoid using the same language as the presenter; your learning will be deeper if you internalise the ideas and use language that comes naturally to you.
While you watch, observe how the presenter has structured the slide presentation. In particular, note how new information has been chunked and what visual rhetoric has been applied to make it easier to follow.
Taking notes is a skill. As a discussant, you need to take notes and respond to a presentation. Click here to access an additional resource called ‘Tips on Being a Good Discussant’.
You can take notes on a piece of paper, or include them:
Adds additional insight and perspective, introspective. Comes at the end of presentation. Summary of presentation and connecting or how different speakers’ presentation. Strengthens session. Shows the audience key aspects of presented papers. Reads all submitted papers. Makes connections between papers. Identify the main ideas between one and three of the papers. Plan discussant presentation approach. Outline strengthens of paper. Have a slide with key points to stay on track. Have five minutes to summaries at end of a presentation and to conclude session. Leave audience with question to think about. Illustrates strength and weaknesses of limitations of presentations. Speak in audibly good voice. Don’t talk about you, provide constructive feedback and synthesize. Connect studies and broader literature.
Step 2: Giving Constructive Feedback
Sometimes, it is hard to receive criticisms from other people on your work. With this in mind, when we give feedback on someone else’s work, we need to do so in a constructive and productive manner. Briefly respond to the following questions:
How do you give constructive feedback?
What should you avoid when being critical of other people’s work?
When giving constructive feedback I make sure to be kind and acknowledge the work and effort that the person has put into the project. However, I also try to be a straightforward and also provide reasons that I believe my criticisms are valid and a good enough reason to be brought up.
Comments