Enrollment options
IMPORTANT NOTE: This course can be taken starting on the first Monday beginning in January, April, and September ONLY. Please choose the first Monday in one of these three months when assigning the start date to your course.
This course is
very hands-on and has course obligations
with time requirements. You will need to schedule your time
to meet deadlines. You are being prepared for real-life speaking
engagements.
Optional Print Course Material: Lecturing Skills Including Preparation
Optional Course Material:- Mills, Elizabeth Shown, editor, Professional Genealogy: A manual for researchers, writers, editors, lecturers and librarians (2001; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 2012).
- Mills, Elizabeth Shown, editor, Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 2018).
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
Lecturing Skills is a hands-on course requiring the student to provide a 30-minute presentation online. The assignments have due dates, unlike our other courses, which allows a mentor/staff member to review and promote your presentation.
This course focuses on the skills needed to present genealogical-related lectures to a variety of audiences. As a student, you develop all aspects of the lecturing process, including:
- the proposal
- biographical sketch
- marketing
- syllabus material
- creating lecture slides
- and more
In order to complete this course, the student must develop and deliver a 30-minute lecture to an audience of students and/or genealogical society members virtually via the International Institute of Genealogical Studies’ Zoom event. The final presentation is 50% of the grade.
Course Length: 12 weeks
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Resources
Note about Terminology
Note about your Final 30-Minute Lecture
Introduction to Genealogical Speaking/Lecturing
Why Be a Genealogy Speaker?
It Ain’t All Glamour!
Take Inventory and Document Your Reputation
Create a Biography
Create a Genealogy Resume
Update, Update, Update
Conclusion
Practical Exercises
Exercise: Positive/Negative Aspects of Speaking
Exercise: Biography
Exercise: Lecture Topic
MODULE 2
BUILDING YOUR PRESENTATION
Creating a Lecture Description
Creating a Syllabus or Handout
Creating Lecture Slides
Slide Presentation Software
Tips for Effective Lecture Slides
Virtual Lectures
How Virtual Lectures Work
Required Equipment
Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Presentations
Practical Exercises
Exercise: Lecture Description Template
Exercise: Lecture Description
Exercise: Syllabus/Handout Template
Exercise: Syllabus/Handout
Exercise: Lecture Slide Template
Exercise: Lecture Slides
Exercise: Attend a Virtual Lecture
MODULE 3
BUILDING SPEAKING SKILLS
Practice, Practice and More Practice
Join a Speaking Organization
It’s Show Time! Practical Tips for Genealogy Presenters
The Q&A Conundrum
The Post Mortem
Dealing with Disaster
It Won’t Happen To Me
Be Prepared
Practical Exercises
Exercise: Syllabus/Handout (continued)
Exercise: Lecture Slides (continued)
Exercise: Lecture Speech
MODULE 4
BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS
Setting Your Rate
Fee or Free?
Cover Your Expenses
Start Local
Answering a Call for Papers
Call for Papers Listings
Preparing Your Response
Speaking Contract
What a Speaking Contract Should Cover
Other Legalese
Marketing Your Business
Blog/Website
Social Media
Facebook Page
A Final Word on Social Media
Memberships
Email Signature
Newsletter Articles
The Presentation
Conclusion
Practical Exercises
Exercise: Lecture Speech (continued)
Exercise: Lecturing Fees
Exercise: List of Local Venues
Exercise: Speaker Contract
Exercise: Email Signature
MODULE 5
ACTIONS & TIMELINE FOR LECTURING
Course of Action
Timeline and Outcome
Practical Exercises
Exercise: Lecture Speech (continued)
Exercise: Action Plan & Timeline
MODULE 6
FINAL 30-MINUTE LECTURE
Guidelines & Instructions
Lecture Date/Time
Lecture Components
Speaker Biography
Lecture Title and Lecture Description
Syllabus/Handout Materials
Lecture Slides
Final Grading Process
Lecture Procedure
Final Comments
APPENDIX