Committee Mission Instructions (updated 04-07-15)
Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To learn, as a team, about this topic: ________________________________________________
To make friends.
To present, as a team, a 15 to 20 minute instructional activity about that topic to our class.
To allocate grades, as a team, to each member of your committee.
Procedure:
This assignment should take 2 to 6 hours per member.
1.
Get to know your committee members. Talk about strategies for leadership, group decision making, and problem solving. Make
friends. Discuss your strengths: Who is responsible? Who is a good idea person? Who is an organizer? Who likes to speak
publicly? Who has art experience? Who can tell the group about team brainstorming?
2.
While we will have some time for this in class, the majority of this assignment will occur outside of class. Exchange phone
numbers, email addresses, and on-campus schedules where appropriate (You do not have to share your contact information.
Perhaps you could use a separate, disposable email address for this assignment.) Meet face-to-face when possible. Take care of
most of your business over the phone or on the internet.
3.
Keep it simple. The presentation/activity will last 20 minutes. (The 20 minutes includes the 3 minutes at the end for questions and
answers). You will not need a lot of content. Know your topic, be prepared, but don't overprepare. Don't focus on "covering
material". Focus on teaching us a few basics. Focus on learning.
4.
Usually, it’s a good idea to organize your group into sub-committees. Each subcommittee would then be responsible for a portion
of the mission. Remember, as you learn about the subject matter, the presentation will change, so be f-l-e-x-i-b-l-e! Usually, college
and work schedules will determine subcommittees. If some members are shy, they can do more research or other work and let
other members do more of the speaking.
5.
The presentation/activity can take many forms. You can stand up in front of the class and read from notes, but that is boring. The
best presentations are simple, lively and organized. Show slides, videos, DVD’s or PowerPoint presentations or Prezis. Bring in
large pictures or objects. Large, clear, relevant images are the best. Handouts are O.K, but they usually distract from the presenter.
Activate the audience. Do a skit. Let us participate. Give prizes. Make us do some of the work! Have music or food if it relates to
what you are doing. Use a camcorder to record speech and images. Some of the best presentations have utilized edited copy,
speech, and images in a video. People love to watch TV!
6.
Emphasize the formal elements and principles of design where appropriate. Your topic will involve some type of form, so provide
some formal analysis. Not sure what that is? Ask Stan.
7.
Have a back-up plan! What are you going to do if someone doesn't show up? What if someone forgets to bring vital equipment,
handouts, or props?
8.
Save three minutes for a question and answer period at the end of your presentation/activity. Tip: if you are asked a question you
cannot answer, say “We don’t know that, but we will find out and tell you next class”.
9.
Rehearse your presentation/activity. Many groups take too much time and that hurts the timing grade.
10. As a group, complete the committee plan and update by the due dates on the syllabus weekly outline.
Tip: Contact me if you need help with this assignment.
Tip: Be appropriately assertive when allocating responsibilities and participating with your group. Stay away from being passive or
aggressive with your group. Remember, many people are very shy and can be terrified by activities like this. This activity is partly
assigned to help students learn how to function within groups. Support each other!
Grades:
I will consider the educational quality (20%), timing (20%), interest level (20%), main points memorable? (20%), and the
plan and update combination (20%). Your committee will receive feedback and points for the presentation. You will then divide up
the points amongst yourselves as a committee. No member can earn higher than 105%. For many students this grade will be higher
than their test grades.
CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED HELP BECAUSE YOUR GROUP IS HAVING PROBLEMS OR YOU DON'T WORK
WELL IN A GROUP SETTING. I CAN HELP YOU OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS YOU MAY HAVE.