Backstage Pass for Trainers, Facilitators, and Public Speakers

Susan Jones is a life-long educator, whose interest in best practice and research in teaching and learning led to a passion for effective communication. Actively facilitating and training education professionals, she also devotes much energy to keynote speaking, training trainers of adult audiences in presentation skills, and facilitating institutional change. She has presented to more than 20,000 people in the past decade alone. A leading expert on research-based classroom instruction and student achievement, she has helped educators translate research into practical strategies for teaching and learning. Her no-nonsense approach to instruction and leadership separates critical new research from speculation and skillfully presents the elements that positively impact achievement. She has served as past president of Florida ASCD, a member of the Board of Directors of ASCD, a trainer for the Bureau of Education and Research and has taught adjunct through four universities. Susan′s experience includes more than two decades of K-12 classroom teaching experience, as well as service as Director of Program Development for Illinois Regional Offices of Education. In addition to Blueprint for Student Success and Backstage Pass, Susan is a contributing author to two brain-research based books. She has authored numerous articles and columns dealing with strategies to improve achievement.

“A wonderful contribution to the presentation field. As a presenter for 15 years, I have purchased, read, or perused many books on presentations. This is the most useful and captivating book I have read thus far. . . .  I love the dollops of research integrated into the manuscript. Since brain research is my area, I am happy that others will see how it relates. The author makes important connections between preparation, presentation, and prudence. This Backstage Pass can make the difference between an acceptable presentation and an outstanding one!”

• Preface and AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorIntroduction1. Preparation Precedes SuccessClear Communication: Exceeding ExpectationsQuestions and AnswersMinmizing the Chance for MisunderstandingTailoring Programs: One Size Does Not Fit AllPreparing HandoutsOrganizing for a Relaxed DeliveryDo′s and Don′ts2. Little Things Mean a LotSleep for EfficiencyEat for Sustained EnergyDress for SuccessPack Light and Catch the Early TrainQuestions and AnswersPacking ChecklistSharing Book ResourcesHeading off Equipment TroubleHydration - Wet Your Whistle to Whet Your BrainDo′s and Don′ts3. Lights, Camera, Action!Readying the FacilityMaterials Start Before You BeginQuestions and AnswersCrutches to Stay Calm - and On CourseRoom Set Up - The Good, The Bad, and The AdjustmentsSeating Participants for Great ResultsDistributing Handouts and MaterialsCharts, Slides and OverheadsGrand EntrancesDo′s and Don′ts4. Quick- Let ′Em Love You!Gaining AcceptanceBuilding Audience RapportVulnerabilityEstablishing Common GroundFriendly is good, Familiar is NotAcknowledging Knowledge and Know-HowWorking Around Personal QuirksQuestions and AnswersHonoring Audience ExpertiseIncreasing VisibilityChanging an Audience′s Point of ViewAgendas and OverviewsIntroductions and OpenersPositive CommunicationDo′s and Don′ts5. Put Teeth into Your TechniquePurpose Drives ProcessQuestion and AnswersDelivering the Main Course: Information, Skills and MessageLimiting ContentReflections and ConnectionsMotivating an AudienceGenerating New ThinkingUnderstanding: Taking the Road Less-TraveledNon-Verbal CommunicationSmall Groups to Enliven LearningTiming Group WorkMaintaining InvolvementRegaining AttentionEnsuring Active ParticipationTight Parameters to Ensure SuccessDo′s and Don′ts 6. Enthrall ′Em AllJob I: Make Time DisappearInfusing Excitement into SessionsVariety as a VehicleMonitoring an AudienceThe 1-2-3 RuleQuestions and AnswersIntroductions Set the ToneChange of StateMovement, More than a Sign of Life: The Glue for LearningEnergizersBreaksPutting Lecture In Its PlaceCovering Volumes of Content: Alternatives MethodsAccountability in Group WorkGroup SizeVisuals to Enhance MeaningDirecting AttentionApplying ContentHandling QuestionsDo′s and Don′ts7. Rave Reviews: Making Sure You Still Have an Audience Left After BreakAppealFunComfortMysteryFinesseQuestions and AnswersWhen You Don′t Have the AnswerBuilding Fun Into LearningCreating Physical and Emotional ComfortPrizes and RewardsMeaningful MixersTime and OrganizationHandling Difficult AudiencesHumilitySetting Yourself ApartDo′s and Don′ts8. That′s a Wrap!The LASTing ImpressionQuestions and AnswersThe 3 Features of a Quality CloserAudience Awareness of Session GainsReview, Rehearsal, ApplicationPositive Endings Do′s and Don′ts9. Make it a Great Plant, Then Keep Weeding, Watering and Talking to It SweetConsistency - An Allusive TargetInviting ImprovementInformal FeedbackFormal FeedbackCollegial FeedbackDo′s and Don′tsReferencesIndex