Learn at a Distance

A Relay Presentation is a dynamic, interdependent presentation format in which each student or group builds directly upon the contributions of the previous presenter, creating a continuous and evolving discussion. Unlike traditional presentations, where students often prepare isolated sections of content without necessarily engaging with their peers’ work, a Relay Presentation requires students to actively listen, synthesize prior material, and seamlessly extend the conversation. This method fosters critical thinking, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving, as students must carefully consider how their contribution fits within the broader context of the discussion. Research on sequential learning and collaborative dialogue suggests that when students are required to connect new material to existing knowledge, they develop deeper comprehension, stronger retention, and more refined analytical skills (Chi, 2009; Vygotsky, 1978).

In a synchronous online setting, a Relay Presentation functions as a live, continuous exchange, where each student delivers their segment while directly referencing and expanding upon the ideas introduced by the previous speaker. This format mirrors the flow of professional conversations, research collaborations, and team-based problem-solving, where individuals must engage with and build upon ongoing discussions rather than presenting in isolation. Using platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, students present in a designated order, ensuring that the topic unfolds progressively. The success of this method depends on cohesion and responsiveness, meaning that students must be prepared to adapt their presentation based on what has already been said rather than rigidly following a pre-written script. Instructors can enhance this process by incorporating real-time discussion prompts or collaborative whiteboards, which allow students to track key points and connections as they emerge.

In an asynchronous format, a Relay Presentation is structured through video submissions, discussion threads, or collaborative multimedia projects, where students record their contributions and submit them sequentially. Before submitting their segment, students must review previous presentations, identify key themes, and strategically extend the discussion in a meaningful way. This approach encourages deliberate engagement and deeper reflection, as students have the opportunity to critically analyze existing content before adding their own perspective. Asynchronous Relay Presentations have been shown to be particularly effective in interdisciplinary courses and project-based learning environments, where students need to synthesize diverse viewpoints and develop an integrated understanding of a topic over time (Hew & Cheung, 2013).

One of the greatest strengths of the Relay Presentation format is that it simulates real-world collaborative communication, where professionals must respond to ongoing discussions, incorporate new information, and adapt their messaging accordingly. Unlike traditional presentation models that focus on individual performance, Relay Presentations emphasize collective knowledge-building, active listening, and iterative learning. Studies on cognitive engagement in peer-led discussions indicate that students are more likely to retain information and develop complex reasoning skills when they actively process and connect prior material rather than simply presenting their own isolated findings (Mercer, 2000).

The Relay Presentation model is highly adaptable across disciplines. In STEM fields, it can be used for progressive data analysis, case study evaluations, or research updates, where each presenter refines and builds upon previously discussed findings. In humanities and social sciences, this method is ideal for historical narratives, literary analysis, and thematic discussions, allowing students to construct an evolving argument over time. In business and law, Relay Presentations are particularly valuable for market trend analysis, legal case progression, and business strategy development, where each contributor refines the discussion by integrating new data and perspectives.

Implementing Relay Presentations

The Relay Presentation is a structured, collaborative presentation format in which students build upon each other’s contributions in a sequential manner. This approach fosters critical thinking, adaptability, and collective knowledge-building, skills that are essential for graduate-level academic and professional work. By requiring students to actively engage with prior material before contributing, Relay Presentations encourage deep comprehension, synthesis, and real-time responsiveness—a hallmark of authentic, real-world communication and teamwork.

Below is a step-by-step guide to effectively implementing Relay Presentations in synchronous and asynchronous graduate-level online courses.

Designing a Relay Presentation in an Online Graduate Course

To ensure a cohesive and meaningful learning experience, instructors should establish a clear structure and define how students will synthesize, extend, and apply knowledge throughout the presentation.

Key Considerations for Course Design:

• Define Clear Learning Objectives: What should students gain from this experience—improved analytical skills, professional communication abilities, or deeper content knowledge?
• Establish a Sequential Structure: Assign an order for presenters, ensuring that each student builds upon the contributions of the previous speaker.
• Encourage Active Listening and Responsiveness: Require students to acknowledge, summarize, and extend prior material before introducing their own segment.
• Promote Reflection and Integration: Conclude with a synthesis activity, such as a discussion post, reflection paper, or group debrief, to consolidate learning.

By carefully designing the sequence and integration process, instructors can ensure that students engage meaningfully rather than delivering isolated presentations.

Synchronous Relay Presentations: Real-Time Knowledge Building

In a synchronous online setting, a Relay Presentation functions as a live, continuous discussion, mirroring collaborative team-based problem-solving in professional settings.

How to Structure a Synchronous Relay Presentation:

1. Pre-Assign Presentation Order and Topics
   • Each student or group receives a designated time slot and topic segment that builds upon prior contributions.
   • Provide access to presentation materials or a shared document (e.g., Google Slides) where students can track progress and make connections.
2. Facilitate Seamless Transitions Between Speakers
   • Require each presenter to begin by summarizing key points from the previous speaker before introducing their own material.
   • Encourage the use of transitional phrases to ensure continuity (e.g., “Building on [previous speaker’s] argument about X, I will now explore Y…”).
3. Encourage Real-Time Adaptability and Engagement
   • Students should adjust their content based on what has already been discussed, rather than rigidly following pre-scripted slides.
   • Incorporate interactive elements such as live Q&A sessions, real-time annotations, or chat-based engagement prompts to keep the discussion dynamic.
4. Conclude with a Reflective Debrief
   • Have students discuss connections, key takeaways, and unanswered questions.
   • Use polling tools or collaborative documents to capture final reflections and insights.

Example Applications:

• In Business and Law: Each speaker adds new layers to a case study or policy analysis, refining arguments in real time.
• In STEM Fields: Teams conduct a progressive research review, where each presenter expands on prior experimental data or theoretical frameworks.
• In Social Sciences and Humanities: Students collaboratively construct historical narratives, thematic literary analyses, or ethical debates, deepening critical inquiry.

By ensuring that each speaker engages with prior material, synchronous Relay Presentations create an interactive, evolving conversation rather than a series of disconnected monologues.

Asynchronous Relay Presentations: Structured, Layered Contributions

For asynchronous graduate courses, Relay Presentations can be structured using recorded video submissions, discussion boards, or collaborative digital platforms. This format allows for deliberate engagement, deeper reflection, and more time to synthesize prior contributions.

How to Structure an Asynchronous Relay Presentation:

1. Set Up a Sequential Submission Process
   • Use Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or Brightspace discussion boards for text-based contributions.
   • For video-based presentations, use Flip, VoiceThread, or Panopto, where students record and upload their segments in a designated order.
2. Require Students to Review and Synthesize Previous Contributions
   • Before submitting their segment, students must watch/read prior presentations, summarize key insights, and strategically extend the discussion.
   • Provide guiding questions to ensure meaningful connections (e.g., “How does this segment build on the previous discussion? What new perspectives does it introduce?”).
3. Incorporate Peer Feedback and Reflection
   • Require students to engage in peer feedback by responding to previous presentations with questions, critiques, or expansions.
   • Assign a final synthesis activity, such as a written reflection, collaborative summary, or interactive concept map, to consolidate learning.

Example Applications:

• In Healthcare and Public Policy: Students analyze a policy issue in stages, incorporating legal, ethical, and economic dimensions.
• In Engineering and Data Science: Teams conduct a progressive research project, where each presenter adds new data insights and interpretations.
• In Education and Psychology: Students explore theoretical perspectives, sequentially layering insights from different frameworks.

Asynchronous Relay Presentations simulate real-world collaborative research and professional communication, where individuals must synthesize diverse perspectives and strategically advance discussions over time.

Assessment and Feedback Strategies for Relay Presentations

To maintain rigor and accountability, assessment should focus on content integration, analytical depth, and responsiveness to prior material.

Suggested Assessment Criteria:

• Connection to Prior Contributions: Does the student effectively acknowledge and extend previous segments?
• Analytical Depth and Synthesis: Does the presentation engage critically with the topic, integrating research and perspectives?
• Communication and Adaptability: Is the contribution cohesive, well-articulated, and responsive to evolving discussions?
• Engagement with Peers: Does the student actively build on, critique, or expand prior insights?

Feedback Strategies:

• Rubrics: Use structured evaluation criteria to assess synthesis, engagement, and depth of analysis.
• Self and Peer Review: Have students reflect on their contributions and provide feedback on how effectively peers integrated prior content.
• Instructor Feedback: Offer comments on thematic connections, critical reasoning, and responsiveness, rather than just grading individual performance.

A well-designed assessment reinforces the importance of interdependent learning and ensures that students are not just presenting content, but actively co-constructing knowledge.

Conclusion

The Relay Presentation is an engaging, collaborative approach that transforms student learning from isolated content delivery into a dynamic, evolving discussion. Whether implemented synchronously through real-time presentations or asynchronously through layered contributions, this format encourages students to think critically, synthesize ideas, and refine their communication skills in a structured, sequential manner.

By designing Relay Presentations with clear sequencing, interactive engagement, and structured assessment, instructors can foster a graduate-level learning experience that mirrors professional collaborative processes. This method not only enhances knowledge retention and analytical reasoning but also prepares students for the complex, real-world communication challenges they will encounter in their careers.

Ultimately, a Relay Presentation transforms student learning from an individual exercise into a collaborative, evolving intellectual experience. Whether conducted synchronously through live, continuous discussions or asynchronously through sequenced video submissions, this format ensures that students actively engage with their peers’ ideas, refine their analytical thinking, and develop the communication skills necessary for professional and academic success. By emphasizing continuity, adaptability, and real-time synthesis, Relay Presentations provide an engaging, interactive approach to learning that prepares students for the complex, interconnected nature of modern discourse and problem-solving.

Further reading:

Chi, M. T. H. (2009). Active-constructive-interactive: A conceptual framework for differentiating learning activities. Topics in Cognitive Science, 1(1), 73-105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-8765.2008.01005.x

Hew, K. F., & Cheung, W. S. (2013). Student participation in online discussions: A review and future directions. Educational Technology Research and Development, 61(4), 571-606.

Mercer, N. (2000). Words and minds: How we use language to think together. Routledge.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.