We interviewed Lilla Kocsis, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, about developing presentation skills and public speaking. She provided insights into what to do before a presentation and how Coursera can be useful for students and teachers.
Lilla Kocsis has been teaching presentation techniques, different methodologies, and confident public speaking for over a decade.
Can you tell us about the first and last time you gave a lecture? What are the main differences you noticed?
I started teaching 23 years ago, and my last lecture was this week. Over the years, I have incorporated various interactive tools, games, and tricks into my courses, which I have learned from experience.
What skills should students interested in your field focus on?
Presentation skills and public speaking are vital soft skills that students should develop. These skills can be developed with practice and focus and can be a lot of fun to practice. By setting smart goals and taking small steps, students can quickly achieve great results.
What are five things to do before a presentation?
Here are five things to do before a presentation:
● Practice in front of a mirror
● Drink water
● Smile
● Take a deep breath
● Enjoy the presentation
How can you incorporate/integrate Coursera into your teaching?
Coursera is an excellent platform for self-development. As an instructor, when I want to revamp my course or feel inspired, I start a Coursera course. Coursera's platform has tons of valuable, fun, and practice-oriented course material, which is exactly what I need in the classroom. I'm always happy to share my Coursera experiences with my students. I recommend the courses and choose videos and quizzes as extra assignments, or we work on problems together.
If students were to develop the skills mentioned above, what courses would you recommend?
I highly recommend the Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation specialization from the University of Colorado Boulder. These courses focus on communication channels and provide effective and clear advice for everyone.
