The ability to present ideas effectively is increasingly important for today’s global citizens. Just as the Grade 5 Exhibition helps students to develop their research, communication and presentation skills, there are multiple opportunities for students to perfect the art of making presentations during their years at UWCSEA.
These skills are also key to being successful in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The final term project for the East FIB students this year was designed to develop public speaking and presentation skills, research and refining skills and to develop creativity while exploring a topic of interest. This project also supports preparation for the Theory of Knowledge Presentation, Language Oral Presentations and Extended Essay research, all elements of the IBDP. The project culminated in a 'TEDxTalk' style forum, where the FIBs presented their three to five minute talks to other FIBs and the Grade 9s.
To better prepare for their presentations, workshops were arranged for students. Ms Katie Day, Teacher Librarian, worked with students on researching their topic, refining the focus of their broad topics and reflecting on the validity, purpose and importance of their topics. Mr James Dalziel, Head of East Campus, met with smaller groups and concentrated on presentation skills while Mr Guy Roberts, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, focused on writing abstracts–a short summary of their talks–and an essential skill for the Extended Essay.
FIBxEast went live on 6 June, when the East FIBs were assigned a presentation room, predetermined by the category of their talk topic. Grade 9s and other FIBs had their choice of venue and theme for four sessions of four talks each. Talks ranged in subjects from the arts, sports and business to service, values and human rights. It was a fantastic day of learning and sharing among the High School students at East with a focus on preparation for some of the requirements of the IBDP.
