Learn at a Distance

Student presentations are a valuable way to assess knowledge, encourage communication skills, and promote professional development in online graduate courses. However, delivering a presentation—especially in an online environment—requires a range of skills that students may not have fully developed. By providing targeted support, you can help your students excel in this challenging but rewarding task.

Clarify Expectations Early

Set your students up for success by clearly outlining what makes a strong presentation in your course. Provide a detailed rubric that highlights key criteria, such as organization, content depth, visual design, and delivery skills. Share examples of exemplary presentations to give students a clear understanding of your expectations.

Provide Technical Guidance

For online presentations, the technical aspect can be a major hurdle. Offer a tutorial or resources on the platforms or tools students will use, such as Zoom, PowerPoint, Prezi, or video recording software. Provide guidance on how to:

• Record and upload their presentations.
• Share slides effectively during live sessions.
• Troubleshoot common technical issues, like microphone or screen-sharing problems.

You could even organize a practice session or offer an optional tech support workshop to help students feel confident with the tools.

Offer Training on Presentation Skills

Many students struggle with public speaking, even in an online setting. Provide resources or guidance on how to:

• Structure their presentations with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Use visual aids effectively, avoiding cluttered slides or excessive text.
• Maintain audience engagement by using storytelling, asking questions, or incorporating interactive elements.

Point students toward workshops, online resources, or university services that offer training in public speaking and presentation design.

Student Presentations in Online Asynchronous Classes

In asynchronous courses, presentations rely on students creating engaging recordings. Without the immediacy of a live audience, students must work to make their presentations resonate through careful design and delivery.

Provide clear guidelines for recording, including acceptable file formats, time limits, and instructions for submission. Offer tutorials on tools like Zoom, Loom, or PowerPoint’s recording feature. Encourage students to use visuals and audio narration thoughtfully, avoiding cluttered slides or monotone delivery.

Engagement can still happen asynchronously. Suggest strategies like embedding questions in their recordings or including supplemental materials, such as discussion prompts for their peers. Create a space in the course for students to post their presentations and facilitate peer reviews, using a rubric to guide constructive feedback.

Finally, promote accessibility by reminding students to include captions or transcripts and use clear, high-contrast visuals. This ensures their presentations are inclusive and professional.

Student Presentations in Online Synchronous Classes

Synchronous presentations offer students the chance to interact live with their audience, building skills in real-time communication. However, this format presents unique challenges, particularly with technology and anxiety.

Prepare students by walking them through the platform they’ll use, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Provide guidance on screen sharing, slide transitions, and troubleshooting common issues. Encourage them to practice their presentations in advance, offering a low-stakes rehearsal session where they can test their setup.

Interaction is key in synchronous settings. Help students plan ways to engage their audience through live polls, chat-based questions, or interactive elements. Address presentation anxiety by sharing stress-management techniques and encouraging students to focus on their strengths. Record presentations when possible, so students can review and reflect on their performance later.

Encourage Practice and Feedback

Encourage students to practice their presentations and seek feedback before the final delivery. Organize peer-review sessions where students can share drafts with one another or review outlines and slides with you during office hours. Suggest that students rehearse with family, friends, or classmates to refine their delivery and timing.

Creating a low-stakes environment where students can test their work and make adjustments builds confidence and ensures their final presentations meet expectations.

Address Presentation Anxiety

Public speaking can be intimidating, especially in an online format. Acknowledge this anxiety and provide students with practical strategies to manage it. Share tips on breathing techniques, visualization, or using speaker notes effectively. Encourage students to focus on progress over perfection, and let them know mistakes are part of the learning process.

If your university offers counseling or stress-management workshops, recommend these as additional resources for students struggling with anxiety.

Create Flexibility for Online Challenges

Online presentations often come with challenges like unstable internet or background distractions. Help students prepare by offering troubleshooting tips and contingency plans, such as pre-recorded backups. Reassure them that technical difficulties are understandable and that your focus will remain on their content and effort.

Leverage Peer Learning Opportunities

Presentations provide a unique opportunity for peer learning. Encourage students to ask questions and provide constructive feedback on their classmates’ work. Facilitating post-presentation discussions or assigning peer reviewers can help students learn from one another and build a sense of community within your course.

Final Thoughts

Presentations are more than an assessment—they are opportunities for students to develop essential communication and professional skills that will serve them well beyond your course. Whether asynchronous or synchronous, online presentations require thoughtful support, from clear guidelines and technical training to opportunities for practice and feedback.

By tailoring your approach to the format and providing resources to address common challenges, you can help your students deliver effective, engaging presentations. With the right support, these experiences become not only a measure of knowledge but also a transformative step in your students’ academic and professional journeys.