Impactful Communication: the Art of Presentations, Visualization, and Public Speaking

Course Overview

This comprehensive course empowers participants with the essential skills and strategies needed to create impactful visual materials or engage in public speaking across various platforms. Students will learn how to effectively communicate their ideas, transform economic data into compelling visual stories, and confidently engage their audience. 

This course adopts a dynamic approach, blending theoretical foundations with hands-on practical exercises and real-world applications to gain confidence and proficiency in impactful communication. Through interactive cases and personalized feedback, students will not only grasp the theoretical concepts but also cultivate the confidence to apply them in various professional settings.

Participants will acquire the skills to transform raw economic data into clear, compelling visualizations that convey complex economic insights in an accessible manner. The course will cover the use of tools and technologies relevant to economic data visualization, providing practical knowledge that can be immediately applied in the workplace.

Upon completing this course, participants will emerge as adept communicators, capable of seamlessly integrating the art of presentations, visualization of economic data, and public speaking into their professional toolkit.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students

Will find out:

  • Mastery in Visual Storytelling - how to create impactful visual materials with an economic focus that enhance communication, resonating with audiences and facilitating better understanding.
  • Effective Presentation Techniques - how to create and deliver strategically structured, engaging presentations, and tailored to diverse audiences.
  • Confidence in Public Speaking - how to build confidence and poise in public speaking, whether in-person or in virtual environments.

Should be able to:

  1. Using Modern Tools for Visuals:
  • Get good at using the latest tools to make visuals for your presentations.
  • Create visuals that grab attention and make your messages stronger.
  1. Using Pictures and Graphics Smartly:
  • Find out how visuals can influence people and use them smartly.
  • Learn more than just using tools; understand how to use pictures and graphics to make your points clearer.
  1. Making and Giving Impactful Presentations:
  • Learn how to craft and provide presentations.
  • Make sure your presentations are interesting and useful for different kinds of audiences.
  1. Speaking Confidently Anywhere:
  • Get better at speaking confidently, whether in person or online.
  • Learn to adjust your speaking style for different situations.
  1. Evaluating Yourself and Adapting:
  • Learn to look at your own communication skills and find ways to improve.
  • Stay up-to-date with communicating well in today's fast-changing world, including digital and global settings.

Will improve:

  • Visualization skills;
  • Presentation development and delivery skills;
  • Public speaking skills;
  • Effective feedback skills;
  • Adaptability in communication strategies;
  • Global communication competence.

Course Content

Module 1: Mastering Data Visualization

  • Principles of Data Visualization: Understanding how to represent data effectively.
  • Tools and Software: Overview of various visualization tools and how to use them.
  • From Data to Story: Creating dashboards to support your presentation.

Module 2: Advanced Presentation Skills

  • Designing Effective Slides: Principles of design, choosing the right visuals, and avoiding common pitfalls.
  • Integrating Visualization: Transforming data into visual stories that enhance your presentation.
  • Engaging Delivery: Techniques to captivate your audience and maintain interest.

Module 3: Excellence in Public Speaking

  • Efficient Preparation: Strategies for managing your time effectively during the preparation phase.
  • Rehearsal Techniques: Practicing your presentation to ensure a smooth delivery.
  • Tips for Public Presentation: Economic Focus.

Instructional Method

Lectures&workshops, interactive teaching, discussions, case studies, supporting videos, collaborative teamwork, presentation.

Required Course Materials

Facilities: laptops, Internet connection, multimedia projector.

Required readings and useful links:

  1. A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide). International Institute of Business Analysis, Canada. 2009. v. 1.6. 329p. URL: https://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/comp3120/public_docs/BOKV1_6.pdf
  2. Carnegie, D. (2022) The Art of Public Speaking. [edition unavailable]. Open Road Media. Available at: https://www.perlego.com/book/3738293/the-art-of-public-speaking-pdf (Accessed: 26 November 2023).
  3. Chen C., Härdle W., Unwin A. Handbook of Data Visualization. URL: https://haralick.org/DV/Handbook_of_Data_Visualization.pdf
  4. Duarte, N. (2013) Resonate. 1st edn. Wiley. Available at: https://www.perlego.com/book/1008559/resonate-present-visual-stories-that-transform-audiences-pdf (Accessed: 26 November 2023).
  5. Fayyad U., Piatetsky-Shapiro G., Smyth P. From Data Mining to Knowledge Discovery in Databases. AI MAGAZINE. 1996. pp.37-54. URL: http://www.kdnuggets.com/gpspubs/aimag-kdd-overview-1996-Fayyad.pdf
  6. Reynolds, G. (2020) Zen oder die Kunst der Präsentation. 3rd edn. dpunkt.verlag. Available at: https://www.perlego.com/book/2105880/zen-oder-die-kunst-der-prsentation-mit-einfachen-ideen-gestalten-und-prsentieren-pdf
  7. Wexler S., Shaffer J., Cotgreave A. The Big Book of Dashboards: Visualizing Your Data Using Real-World Business Scenarios. Wiley, 2017. 448 p. 
  8. Yau N., Visualize This: The FlowingData Guide to Design, Visualization, and Statistics. 2011

Assessment

  • Case Studies (40%)
  • Presentation defense (40%)
  • Final Test (20%): tests, true/false statements, practical tasks.