About this course: Taught by Rice University communication faculty from the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership (RCEL). This course covers core topics in oral communication: Communication strategy, content, data visualization, and delivery. You’ll learn key principles in • Creating a communication strategy • Developing a clear message and organizing persuasive content • Creating strong visual support • Presenting data effectively • Presenting professionally and confidently • Handling formal presentations, giving pitches, speaking extemporaneously, managing online presentations, and lowering public speaking anxiety
Who is this class for: This course is geared toward practicing engineers who are early in their careers, especially those who are either in or approaching their first leadership role. This is what some of the past students said when asked: "What is the most useful thing you could gain from this course?": "Communication methods for engineering leaders. It's a rare and comprehensive course, I think not absolutely for this specific field, as I found many interesting points concerning presentation without being an engineer." "Powerful concepts on how to build persuasive communication." "Improving interactions through effective communication." "Confidence"
Created by: Rice University
Taught by: Beata Krupa, Lecturer in Professional and Engineering Communication
Rice Center for Engineering Leadership
Taught by: Gayle Moran, Lecturer in Professional and Engineering Communication
Rice Center for Engineering Leadership
| Basic Info | Course 1 of 3 in the Communication Skills for Engineers Specialization |
| Commitment | 5 weeks of study, 5-7 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| Hardware Req | Audio and Video recording device |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Specialization Introduction - Communication for Engineers
3 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Meet the Professor - Dr. Beata Krupa
- Video: Meet the Professor - Dr. Gayle Moran
- Reading: Course Icon Legend
- Video: Introduction to Specialization
- Reading: Required Materials and Other Info
- Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Introduction
- Reading: Pre-Course Survey
Course Introduction - Oral Communication for Engineering Leaders
1 video, 4 readings
- Video: Course Overview and Objectives
- Reading: General Course Information
- Reading: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Introduction
- Reading: Discussion Forum Guidelines
- Reading: Accessibility and Accommodations Statement
Week 1: Introduction and Communication Strategy: It Is All About Audience and Purpose
In this module, you’ll learn how to lay the foundation for a variety of communication modes with a discussion on developing a communication strategy and the importance of knowing your audience, your purpose, and your key message before you start communicating.
6 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Module Objectives
- Discussion Prompt: Introduce Yourself
- Discussion Prompt: Think About It
- Video: Communication Strategy
- Video: Who Is Your Audience?
- Video: What Do You Want From Your Audience?
- Video: What Do You Want Your Audience to Remember?
- Discussion Prompt: Example of Persuasion
- Video: Choosing Medium
- Discussion Prompt: Project Lead with Potential Problems
- Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 1
Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 1
Graded: Record an Impromptu Speech - P/F Assignment
Graded: End of Module 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
Week 2: Presentations: What to Say so that Your Audience Listens
In today’s workplace, formal and informal presentations are a major communication tool, and leaders give them frequently for different purposes. In this module, you’ll learn how to create different types of oral presentations. You will also practice building strong, cohesive, visually interesting, and convincing persuasive presentations that will get your audience on board with your ideas.
7 videos, 5 readings, 2 practice quizzes
- Video: Course Objectives
- Discussion Prompt: Think About It
- Video: How to Develop and Organize Content
- Video: Pyramid Building Demonstration
- Video: Inductive vs. Deductive Structure
- Reading: Analyze Steve Job's Presentation
- Practice Quiz: Steve's iPod Presentation Structure
- Reading: Drone Pyramid - Build Your Own Logical Pyramid for a Presentation
- Practice Quiz: Drone Pyramid Excercise
- Video: Key Presentation Elements
- Reading: Reading from Engineers Journal
- Reading: Samples of Presentation Openings
- Discussion Prompt: Analyze Sample Presentation Openings
- Video: Principles of Persuasion
- Discussion Prompt: Effective Persuasive Speeches
- Video: Storytelling Power
- Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 2
Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 2
Graded: TED Talk Analysis - Bone Marrow Speech Analysis - P/F Assignment
Graded: Module 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Week 3: Creating Visual Support: A Picture Is Worth a Lot of Words
Develop good visual support for your content. Learn how to create attractive slides and other types of visuals. Especially important for engineers, you’ll find out how to show and explain complex data so your audience understands it.
6 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Objectives
- Discussion Prompt: Think About It
- Video: When, How, and Why to Use Supporting Visuals
- Video: More Visual Support Tools
- Video: How to Show Complex Data
- Video: More Data Visualization Options
- Reading: How to Present Data
- Video: Beyond PPT... Prezi, Infographics
- Reading: Examples of Animated Infographics
- Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 3
Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 3
Graded: Data Visualization P/F Assignment
Graded: Module 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Week 4: How to Speak so that Your Audience Listens
Once you have your content developed and your visual support finished, you need to deliver the presentation. That means you have to stand in front of an audience, small or large, and keep them interested in what you have to say. Many things contribute to an engaging presentation, from professional body language to how fast you talk. In this module, you’ll learn and practice the many aspects of delivering a professional presentation with confidence.
6 videos, 6 readings
- Video: Objectives
- Discussion Prompt: Think About It
- Video: How to Manage Body Language
- Reading: Activities to Practice Professional Stance
- Video: What to Do with Your Hands
- Reading: Activities to Practice Purposeful Gestures
- Video: Using Voice as a Tool to Communicate Your Message
- Reading: Activities to Practice Effective Voice
- Reading: Activities to Practice Engaging Eye Contact
- Reading: Optional - Apps to Practice Public Speaking
- Video: How to Coordinate a Team Presentation
- Video: Answering Questions, Prep, and Rehearsing
- Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 4
Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 4
Graded: Building Mental Habits - P/F Assignment
Graded: Module 4 Quiz
WEEK 5
Week 5: Elevator Pitch, Impromptu, Online Presentations, and Managing Public Speaking Anxiety
Have you ever had someone ask you about your job when you aren’t expecting it? How good are you at thinking on your feet? In this module, you’ll learn about other types of presentations that require different preparation and approaches. These different types are valuable additions to your communication toolkit and learning them can help set you apart as a leader.
6 videos, 5 readings
- Video: Objectives
- Discussion Prompt: Think About It
- Video: How to Talk Without Preparation
- Reading: Impromptu Speaking
- Discussion Prompt: Impromptu Speaking Share
- Video: Always Have a Pitch Ready
- Video: Presenting Online
- Video: Managing Public Speaking Anxiety
- Reading: Exercises To Manage Public Speaking Anxiety
- Reading: Resources - How to Manage Anxiety
- Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 5
- Video: Congratulations: Course Completed!
- Reading: End-Course Survey
Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 5
Graded: Elevator Pitch P/F Assignment
Graded: Week 5 Quiz
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
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Rice University
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Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Five weeks ago, I wouldn't think about recording myself presenting. To be honest, I would look for any excuse to get away from it. This course pushed me in the right direction, I learned a lot and ended up with 10+ videos presenting different topics.
Thanks for this class. It effectively delivers the basic and important details about oral communication. Both the slides and the content are well organized. Thanks !
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This course made me work for the grade more than most. I would like to see grading rubics for the assignments BEFORE I have to turn them in so I know what I am being graded on. A lot of video presentations were required in this course, and I had to invest and upgrade my webcam to capture a good video on the final presentation. Overall, this was a good course, and probably the hardest course for me out of the nine required for the Engineering Leadership and Management certificate.