As I have mentioned in a previous blog, the most important part of a great presentation is content. To do this, the topic needs to be well researched. This includes students being able to understand and present current research. In Experimental Psychology, students learn how to read and understand peer reviewed journal articles, including methods, graphs, and result sections. Since Experimental Psychology is a prerequisite for Health Psychology, there was an assumption that students had the prior skills to read and understand research articles. However, Experimental Psychology is usually taken early in a student’s academic career and needs to be refreshed.
Dr. Gurung gave a mini lecture on the basics of reading journal articles and understanding research. Furthermore, he opened his office doors for students to ask additional questions about interpreting results. Although the presentations ran smoothly, I think the obvious shortcoming of the presentations were that students still were uncertain on the results of many of their studies. As a whole, students spent minimal time discussing the results. Students must not have felt comfortable with the results sections of the articles, despite Dr. Gurung’s attempts to provide clarification.
However, I don’t think Dr. Gurung can (or needs to) do anything else for the students in this area. The more time spent on experimental-related material, the less lecture time is available to discuss health psychology. A mini lecture on the topic was sufficient, in addition to giving extra time outside of class offering clarification. The problem of students not understanding results should be addressed in Experimental Psychology.
Perhaps we could write a ‘How-To Guide’ on giving a great presentation. We could make a handout and give it to students to use as a supplemental learning tool. It could include how to understand and interpret results with clear, concrete instructions. Additionally, we could include other tips like time-management, practice, and professional dress attire, all of which lead to a good presentation and ultimately affect the grade.
Having ample skills and knowledge on presentations is not only essential in Health Psychology, but also all college courses. Many students dislike presenting, but it is a critical skill to have in the work force, as well. Creating a ‘How-To Guide’ may be one supplemental tool that is worth looking into, as it could benefit students in Health Psychology, as well as in other classes and eventually into their career.