Group Book Presentations

You will present two books to the class this semester, as groups.  *Presentation dates are listed on the course schedule):

  1. You will work with a group of 3-4 other students to teach the rest of the class the content of one of the books listed as an “A” Book.  These presentations will take place over three days in late January and early February.  Each group will have half the class period to convey the book’s content and should use the full time.  The entire group will get the same presentation grade
  2. You will work with a group of 3-4 other students to teach the rest of the class the content of one of the books listed as a “B” Book.  These presentations will take place in late February and early March.  Each group will have 25 minutes and should use its full allotment.  The entire group will get the same presentation grade.

Submit your group’s slide show on Moodle at least two hours before the start of class.
That way, I can put it on the classroom computer without wasting class time.
(Downloading it from your email does not work!)

Creativity counts.  Your presentations should be lively, energetic, and based on a thorough comprehension of the whole book.  Every member of the team should be equally active.  PowerPoint is okay, but not if read boringly from a sequence of boring slides.  The point is to teach: show us how!  Check out the Book Presentation Guide, found elsewhere on this site.

After the presentation, each group member will fill out an evaluation form, specifying what they and each of the group members contributed to the group process.  The form asks you to rank your strong points and your weak points, as well as those of your colleagues.  This will produce a contribution grade for each presentation.  (This recognizes that people have different skills while also preventing anyone from free-riding on others’ efforts.) Click HERE to download the evaluation form.

NOTE 1: Presentations that simply divide up the book chapters among the team do reduce your apparent workload, but they reduce educational effectiveness even more. If attempted, I can guarantee they will reduce your grade to insignificance.

NOTE 2:  Each group should plan to meet me during my office hours soon after your presentation, to get oral feedback and discussion.  Groups are welcome (but not required) to meet with me before your presentations to talk about what you intend to do