Active Listener Information

Active Listener Role

Faculty, staff, and post-docs are invited to serve as Active Listeners at the Virtual LAUNCH URS Symposium. The purpose of these presentations is to help students learn how to improve their oral communication skills as well as their virtual presentation skills.

This event is not judged and there are no prizes. This is a teaching and learning opportunity. Remember, this might be a student’s very first time presenting!

Four Feedback Areas

Active Listeners are asked to focus on the four areas below and provide helpful written feedback for the presentations they have been assigned to review.

Body language and delivery
Effective communication of the research question and why it is important
Effective visual aids (if used)
Effective presentation skills in a virtual space

Explanation of Effective Presentations in Virtual Spaces

Appropriate camera angle and lighting
Clean and professional background
Appropriate and professional dress
Engagement with presentation materials (e.g., presenter zooms in on a portion of a poster they are referencing)
Effective eye contact with webcam (e.g., not reading off notes, not looking around the room or at another screen)
Effective transitions between speakers (for team presentations)
Inclusive and accessible presentation materials
- Use of large text on slides to accommodate small screen sizes of viewers
- Use of colors appropriate for colorblindness
- Use of captions and/or a live transcript
- Limited use of technical jargon
- Foster an environment of inclusivity, understanding, and respect for all community members

Event Format

The format of the event will look different than in the past:

All presentations are virtual and will be made available to the Texas A&M community online through the ForagerOne Symposium platform. Presentations will remain available for Active Listeners to review from February 23-March 2, 2022.
All students will present on camera and provide a video of their research presentation. Each presentation will be 10 minutes maximum.
Students may also prepare supplemental materials such as a poster PDF, PowerPoint Slides, or an embedded video (of a performance, creative artifact, etc.) to accompany their research presentation.
Active Listeners will complete a Feedback Form in the ForagerOne-Symposium platform for assigned presentations. Active Listeners will be notified via email when presentations are available for review.

How to Access the ForagerOne-Symposium Platform

Visit the Attendees page for information on how to create an account.

Already Registered as an Active Listener?

Active Listeners will be notified via email when presentations are available for review.
Presentations must be reviewed between February 23 and March 2.
Written feedback will be submitted through a Feedback Form in the ForagerOne-Symposium platform.

Interested in Becoming an Active Listener?

Faculty, staff, and post-docs at Texas A&M University are invited to serve as Active Listeners at the Virtual LAUNCH URS Symposium.
Email ugr@tamu.edu to receive an invitation to register.

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