Information: Transforming the World through Better Communications

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Information:

Transforming the World through Better Communications

iConference 2008

iFutures: Systems, Selves, Society

February 29, 2008



What We’ll Do

• Top Ten Tips

• One-on-One Counseling



Experts Panel

• Ron Dietel, UCLA

• Kelly Shaffer, University of Pittsburgh

• Marlo Welshons, University of Illinois



Why?

• Effectiveness

• Clarity

• Impact



Where We Are

• Identity Development

• Communications Plan



Identity



We Make a Difference

• i-Field

• i-Professionals



What’s In It for Us?



Presentation Tips

Ronald Dietel

National Center for Research on

Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST)

UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies



Overview

• Design

• Delivery

• Environment



Design - Content

• Research Questions• Are the district’s formative assessments aligned to state and school district

content standards?• Do the district formative assessments improve learning in mathematics?• What is the correlation between performance on the district assessments

and performance on the state test?• Formative assessments that are not aligned to standards are not useful in

guiding and informing instruction, Harker and James, 1998 • Analysis of mathematics content standards that had been used to design third-

grade assessments, was then used to design instruction--with learning experts• Random selection of 400 students who received different types of math

instruction (ten lessons each) before taking the district mathematics assessment:• Data on mathematics alignment• Evidence collected in mathematics formative assessment using different

mathematics curricula and instruction • Learning experts analysis of data• Triangulation of data• Study Results



Focused Content

Our research question examined:

• Formative assessments relationship to learning



Focused Key Point

Our study found that…

• District formative assessments had little influence on learning



Design - Visuals

• Cover too much content

• Too much content on one slide

• Difficult to read





Fewer Information Points



Better Visuals

Follow the 666 rule…

• 6 or less bullets per slide

• 6 or less words per bullet

• 6 or < information points on graphics



Delivery

• Reading paper or slides

• Nervousness

• Poor eye contact

• Difficult to understand

• Lack of self-confidence



Improving Delivery

• No excuses

• Learn from others

• Eye contact; gestures

• Time-keeping

• Hold the handouts

• Carnegie Hall



Environment

Arrive early

• Sound

• Lighting

• Temperature



10 Tips for Great Presentations

1. Practice

2. Reduce content

3. Own the room

4. Learn from others

5. Eye contact



10 Tips for Great Presentations

6. Arrive early

7. Avoid being last

8. 666 rule

9. Hold handouts

10. Practice some more



Writing Tips for Academics

Kelly Shaffer

Director of External RelationsUniversity of Pittsburgh

School of Information Sciences

Thanks to Ron Dietel, Marlo Welshons, and Charles DuBois for their help in producing this presentation.



General Guidelines

• Carefully define your question/argument first

• Consider your audience – journal, grant, conference

• Assess the knowledge level of your audience

• Draft an outline -- and write to it!

• Proofread your work 24 hours later!

• Use a professional – if there’s time.



What is the question or problem?

• Identify – what is it?

• Justify – why is it important?

• Develop a thesis statement that outlines your approach



Your audience determines your tone and your language.

Who is the Audience?What is Their Knowledge Level?

• Journal – very knowledgeable about field

• Conference – less familiar with your field

• Grant – initial reviewer might have passing familiarity with field

• Media – assume no knowledge of the field



Draft an Outline

• Start with thesis statement or statement of problem

• Carefully note critical points to make

• Write your conclusion statement

• Track your references as you write (you won’t be able to find them later)



Proofread Your Work

Did you…

• Clearly define a problem or statement?

• Follow your outline?

• Maintain a style in terms of verb tense and language usage?

• Cite appropriately?



Use a Professional

• If you need it, hire a proof reader or editor to review your work

• Often, your university or iSchool has such a resource for you!



Tips from an Academic Editor

• Don’t cut and paste without careful review.

• Don’t wait to start.

• Save copies of reference materials.

• Talk to your iSchool communications liaison to see what resources are available.

• Let your audience dictate your style.



Media Relations for Academics

Marlo WelshonsAssistant Dean for Publications & Communications

University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science

Thanks to the University of Illinois Office of Public Affairs and Ron Dietel for their help in producing this presentation.



General Guidelines• Identify your communications liaison.

• Identify your areas of expertise.

• Keep your liaison informed—as early as possible.

• Identify specialized publications in your field.

• Prepare to justify newsworthiness of your story.



Preparing for an Interview

• Respond promptly to media requests

• Ask about:• the type of story the reporter is pursuing

• the context in which you might be quoted

• the reporter’s and publication’s background



Preparing for an Interview

• Consider these questions:• Why is your work important?

• What makes your contribution unusual?

• Who will benefit and how?

• What is the most important point to make?

• Write out answers in advance.



During the Interview

• Assume everything you say will be quoted.

• Avoid “no comment.”

• Don’t speak beyond your expertise.

• Provide support where possible; offer to promptly send background material.



During the Interview

• Listen carefully to questions, ask for clarification.

• Don't just respond to questions; emphasize important points.

• Remember audience: use plain-language interpretations and metaphors.



After the Interview

• Don’t ask to review or approve the article.

• Do ask when the article will appear.

• Follow up with additional information/clarification.

• Notify your communications liaison.

• Know that not every interview will result in a quote.



Next Steps

• Pick Up Ten Tips

• Develop a Self-Communications Plan at Roundtables

• Final Q&A

Documents

Information: Transforming the World through Better Communications