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STEP Verbal Module
Engineers and IT professionals need to be more than just technical specialists. Typically, engineers spend
more than half of their time needing communication skills (≈60%). Industry reports that the two areas
lacking in recent graduates are practical experience and professional skills such as communication. The Step
Verbal Module aims to assist student in upskilling that aspect.
To complete a STEP verbal module, students need to submit the following on Canvas:
V1 – Practice presentation video
V2 – Verbal Improvement Plan
V3 – Audience Feedback Form
V4 – Final Presentation Slides
V5 – Final Presentation Video
V6 – Request for assessment
STEP Verbal Module
2 Online Learning
2.1 Workshops
These workshops are optional sessions that will help you practice the skills required for your assessments in
STEP Verbal. You can register for these workshops on the Careers Online Page.
2.1.1 STEP Verbal 1 & 2
Presented by: STEP
Refine your oral presentation skills. Learn which aspects of your presentation make the biggest impact and
give/receive feedback on each other’s presentations in an interactive, hands-on session. This session will
help you understand presentation feedback in general but is not designed to help with specific feedback
comments. The tutor will be able to assist you with any queries on the STEP Verbal Submissions.
2.2 Consultations
There are general consultations that you can drop in if you have any questions with regards to Verbal
submissions. Details on how to access these consultations can be found on the STEP Canvas page (modules
-> consultations -> STEP Drop In Sessions)
STEP Verbal Module
3 Recorded Presentation (for Semester 2 – 2020)
As part of the STEP Verbal Submission, you are required to record 2 presentation (one practice and one
final) to submit to the STEP Canvas page.
3.1 Length, submission and marks
• Your recorded presentation is to be greater than 5 minutes.
• The recorded presentation is to be submitted through the LMS.
• You may choose to record the presentation using a Camera / Zoom depending on your
circumstances.
3.2 Audience
You should record your presentation using Zoom with 3 audience for your practice. They would then
provide feedback to you through filling the audience feedback form, which you can then use to synthesize
your verbal improvement plan.
3.3 Details
3.3.1 Presentation Video
The requirements of the video are:
1. The video should be in MP4 format.
2. Audio quality is important, although mono (phonic sound) is fine as long as it is clear.
3. Videos do not need to be high definition. A lower resolution video is likely to be easier to manage.
4. You should aim to have files that are no more than 100 MB.
The key elements are:
• That your upper body (including arms and facial features) are clearly visible.
• That your slides are easily read.
• That your voice is clear.
You can do this in one of two ways (Refer Figure 1 below)
1. Present in front of a screen (at home, at university, at your internship) and record it with a
camera/phone – preferred method.
2. Use software that allows you to present slides and includes an inset video of yourself.
a. Zoom allows you to record a conversation, which in this case could be you by yourself
sharing slides – please expand the presenter window size to maximum if you are using this
method
3.3.2 Professional expectations
• While there is no expectation that you wear business attire for the video, you should still present
yourself well. This means being dressed tidily and not wearing sports-wear, pyjamas etc.
• The environment that is visible in your video should be tidy and without distractions.
STEP Verbal Module
• You should make sure that you have tested your setup before beginning and watch your video
afterwards for problems.
3.3.3 Tips
1. Make sure you test your setup before recording your presentation. This means how clearly you and
your slides can be seen, the quality of audio etc. If there are any factors that may impact on the
viewer’s understanding of your message, correct them.
2. Watch your video before submitting it. If there are any issues that will affect the viewer, correct
them and re-record your presentation.
3. Some high-level technical information is likely to be needed to explain your role. Technical detail
though should not be included and is likely to result in a marking penalty.
4. Make your presentation interesting and engaging
5. Practice; using notes is fine, but you should not be reading your presentation.
6. These presentations are very short, so it is important that you focus on the key elements
Figure 1 – How to record a presentation from home
STEP Verbal Module
4 Attending workshop or consultations
4.1 Etiquette for Online Meetings
Please keep the following etiquette rules in mind when you attend a workshop online. These rules are also
generally applicable to all professional online interactions:
1. Wear appropriate clothes
Just like you wouldn't show up to an office meeting with pj's on, you should dress appropriately for a virtual
meeting. Dress as you would for a meeting in class. It'll help you stay focused and in "work" mode, even if
you're miles away at home. It's still a meeting and you should treat it that way. You can put the pj's back on
when the camera stops rolling.
2. Use a professional setting
You don't need to be at your work desk to look professional, but your tutor does not need to see your
messy bedroom or house. Whether you're in a comfortable chair in the lounge, or sitting at a kitchen
worktop, pick a location with plenty of light and a neutral background.
3. Limit meeting distractions
Just like there wouldn't be dogs barking or housemates cooking in a regular meeting room, you should do
your best to keep background noise to a minimum during an online meeting. You don't want your tutor –
struggling to follow what you're saying because they can't hear you over background noise. Make sure
others around you know that you're in a meeting so they respect your space.
4. Give a virtual meeting your full attention
Although it's tempting to check your emails or flick through papers when you're not speaking, there's a
good chance you'll miss key information, not to mention it's disrespectful. Use attentive body language and
communication and be present for the meeting. You'll get so much more out of the meeting if you distance
yourself from distractions that can wait until later.
5. Keep to the allocated time for consultations
Make sure that items are discussed within the allocated time frames and that the meeting doesn’t exceed
the allotted 30 minutes (for written consultations)
6. Take notes
The meeting is primarily for your benefit, so make sure take notes of what is discussed. There is space in
the provided agenda template or you can take notes in whatever way you are most comfortable.
7. Speak clearly and be respectful
There's nothing worse than someone talking over you during a regular meeting, and it's the same in the
virtual world. When it's your turn to talk, speak clearly and slowly enough for your tutor to follow what
you're saying. Remember that sound quality is very important in this medium. Although there may be
unavoidable lags due to slower connections, try to ensure no one speaks over anyone else.
8. Be prepared for technical difficulties
It's impossible to prepare for every eventuality, but you should log on to the meeting in good time to make
sure everything's working properly. Make sure the connection is stable and that you have a backup plan if
necessary.
STEP Verbal Module
Just like in a regular meeting, ensure you have access to all the resources you will need, such as your
agenda, the subject student guide and other relevant documents. If you're accessing documents on a Cloud
platform, ensure everything is working beforehand.
Recap:
▪ Wear appropriate clothing
▪ Ensure you are in a professional setting
▪ Don’t interrupt your tutor when they’re speaking (or attempt to speak over them)
▪ Test all technology (including camera/video, Wi-Fi, and screen sharing) before the meeting
▪ Set an agenda, and come prepared
▪ Don’t work on other tasks (like checking email) during the virtual meeting
▪ Turn off all notifications and make sure your phone is on silent
▪ Make sure you are in a quiet area free from unnecessary distractions