On-the-Spot-Feedback (OTSF) Webinar August 15, 2024 — Bullet Points
Provided by Peter G Fisher, President ESMN Chapter
Designed to improve science communication skills, this webinar was recommended by the VMN as guide to receiving immediate feedback when giving a presentation. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this project was put together by science communication practitioners, trainers and researchers who communicate with public audiences. For more information on OTSF project resources including access to a 137–page guidebook detailing their approach; go to www.onthespotfeedback.org
- The feedback strategies can be used by anyone (museum educators, science hobbyists, extension agents, etc.) who communicates ideas to a public audience.
- The goal is to support the speaker in collecting, reflecting on, and responding to audience feedback in real time. To do this ask yourself:
- Who is your audience and what do they want to learn?
- Are they enjoying the program?
- Are they understanding the concepts?
- Four steps to use during your speaking event:
- Collect feedback
- Reflect on information collected
- Respond
- Repeat
- Use this feedback to elicit information and then adjust your approach based on the audience experience.
- Listening and Observing are essential skills for using OTSF successfully.
- It is more effective to be aware of possible audience commentary ahead of time. Having this feedback structure in place will aid in adjusting your presentation on the spot.
- Feedback: You Learn Something. Engagement: the audience learns something
In my previous life I had quite a few speaking engagements on Exotic Companion Mammals and while one typically chose topics one hour in length it would have been helpful to have OTSF so that I could have adjusted my presentation style based on immediate audience feedback.