In Praise of the Instructional Skills Workshop

Well, I'll be . . .

 . . . someone who can give a presentation after all!

I tell you, I learned something in just a three-day course that could change the way I present information. And, no, I am not being sponsored for this post -- I just can't get over how good I feel about public speaking after taking the Instructional Skills Workshop.

So what did I learn? What did I want to learn? I said in my previous post that I wished to be less of a scared robot and more a TED talk-style of speaker when I am in front of a crowd. I wanted to lose my nerves and gain some guts to fly without notes (I do know that I know my stuff!) I also wanted more information on learning styles as well as lesson planning.  My teaching is much more informal than instructors at a university, but it is still instruction that should have a purpose. And so I learned about the (duh) importance of engaging the learner/student/audience by putting them first, before the instructor.

We had to present three times over three days, and each lesson would be videoed. We'd also review lessons as a group (four other learners, one facilitator) immediately after our presentations. We were given guidelines for giving constructive feedback, plus information on learning models (we used BOPPS).

The first day, my goal was to present without PowerPoint. There were no podiums but I asked for a table where I could rest my photos to hand out plus have a place for my brief notes. I also engaged my audience by letting them know there would be a treat if they were able to answer a 'skill testing question'.  I tried, oh I thought I tried, but the results felt much the same -- too nervous to enjoy the moment, too much note-reading, not enough true engagement in the lesson. I also was very short and so I filled the rest of the presentation with an answer-question session on history of the site.

In the review, a video clip was brought up. As soon as I finished my formal presentation, I put down the notes, came away from the table, and sounded much more authentic. It was a bit jarring, actually, the difference in how I acted and sounded at the front there! I also clearly was able to speak to the questions being asked.  And so, with this feedback, I decided the next day I should fly without a script, to see if I was the same on stage.

Well, I thought I would die during that second presentation. My brain told me I wasn't making sense, I was stuttering, I was shaking, I felt like a mess, and I was pretty sure I was goofing up every PowerPoint slide going. I had stop and apologize for my nerves, for I thought they were really distracting. I survived, but I didn't feel very good about it. And the feedback? It was, "Why did you stop?" "You were fine!" and "Don't ever let them see you sweat!" And then someone said to me something that changed the way I looked at nerves forever: they said that they feel bad knowing about my nerves. She very gently and kindly said it seemed like being up in front of the group was a burden to me, and that I couldn't wait to be done. That hit me -- I really don't want to make anyone who takes the time to see me feel awful or that I didn't want to be there!

I took that notion with me when I reviewed the whole video that night. Know what the most shocking revelation of the video was? I didn't look or sound nervous at all, I am talking well enough. And then there's this random stoppage where I stop and literally wring my hands before I get back to things. *I* felt nerves, but my inside perception was nowhere near the actual fact without all those inside emotions ruling the roost. I was floored. Why had I not really watched myself before this opportunity?

On the third day, I was determine to use my nervousness for good. A colleague told me that nerves were just excitement and should be channeled as positive energy and not fear. Right before my talk, I was told to prepare by doing a Wonder Woman stance - hands on hips, legs apart. Do so for a minute. Or perhaps hold my arms straight above my head - whatever made me feel better - for either position has the potential to help tap physiological strength. Well, I am not sure what it was, but it worked and I was very happy with the presentation. I had spruced up the Day 2 PowerPoint with a couple of moving parts -- I incorporated some music as well as video -- and I felt like I was present in the room. I was there to be receptive of my audience's needs and questions, and the presentation was not about me, or my notes, or how many butterflies I had dancing in my tummy. And know what? This focus on those in the room, and their willingness to be there to listen and participate, made all the difference in connecting to those who came to engage.

So what's the bottom line here? It's pretty cliche, but I really would say it's good for me to get outside my comfort zone, and to get out there and talk with people about what I know best. I hope to have another opportunity in the near future to present or teach so I can build upon these lessons earlier rather than later, but writing down my lessons here is another way for me to remember the instructional experience I had at ISW. You should try it out if you get the opportunity.

image from
http://www.tradereadingorder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/wonder-woman-238x300.jpg

Unlocking Information

I admit it, I feel vulnerable putting this out there. But if you can't share what you learn . . .

I recently gave a presentation of historical information and although I have had fabulous feedback and thanks, I know that standing up and speaking in front of people is something I want to / need to work on. I wish to channel that passion I have for archives and museums into a more engaging TED-like style of talking instead of sounding like a scared robot full of facts. The content is rich, and it reaches some people no matter how I put it out there, but know I could do better. This feeling led me to do an inner audit of how I could improve my presentation skills, and I list the findings below. I also sought an advisor on what I could do to strengthen the way I deliver information like this, and her answer - the final point - surprised me very much. It's one of those obvious things that makes so much sense I wonder why I didn't get there earlier myself because of its brilliant simplicity. First listed, though, are the self-reflected lessons learned.

For the presentation, I had a lot of PowerPoint 'slides' to go through to tell a story in a pretty tight timeframe. What I decided is that the way to keep me on task was to pre-time the slides so they would automatically go forward as I read the script. I also thought this would be helpful because I wasn't exactly sure of the room set-up, and that I might want to walk around a bit and not have to keep going back and forth to the computer - setting a timer would do it for me. Well, you likely know where this is going. I practiced the presentation in an empty office, but, man, it is so different when you get in front of an actual group of people. In the moment of presentation, I added or subtracted things in to what I had planned to say and ran late - or early - even I though I thought I had left the right amount of time. Some of my slides either went forward without me, or sat there in an awkward pause. I was too chicken to go back and forth and so, ya, I sounded rushed and short-changed some stories and was a little draggy in other areas. Oops. And so, the lesson learned here is (ta-da):

Rule 1 Do not use timed slides.

And this brings me to that script I wrote out. Looking up at a group of people and then down to a bunch of sentences is confusing, and I lost my place a couple of times. I usually don't write out everything like I did for this presentation, but I wanted to make sure I got all the facts right. What ended up happening is that I felt like I was reading something and not engaging my audience. Or, worse, I was not sure what I was talking about. I don't think I have to memorize a script or anything but I will go back to having just cue cards - I do know my stuff! - and on these, I will:

Rule 2 Write word prompts for presentation notes.

The third thing is an oversight, and I have had a number of people gently tell me the struggled to hear my voice at this event. So strange, for I think I have a deep voice that carries. I guess it is the urge to 'go small' when I have the spotlight. Is this self-protective, I wonder, for if they can't hear me, they can't criticize? I need to get over that if because people came to see me and it is near disrespectful of their time to not speak up so they can hear. Therefore:

Rule 3 Ask the audience if they can hear me, and use a microphone if it is available. 

The final piece of advice, though, was my ah-ha moment, and it could very well make all the difference. As a museum and archives professional, I now think I tend to 'hide' behind the written word. I find writing comforting, for gives me time to edit and research and control the environment in which I pass along my message. But know what? It's passive. And that kind of communication truly is not enough anymore - I have to / need to / want to engage people directly, and hear what they have to say about what I put out there. I was actively seeking interaction when I volunteered to do this presentation. However, it takes a plan to get information across, a methodology, learning goals and adapted educational techniques. Now this may sound odd, especially as my grad studies was designed for collections managers AND educational specialists, but it was the first time I realized just how necessary it is for me to apply strategies when I, personally, share a story in this context. Ya, it's not just 'cool stuff' because I happen to like it. And so the last rule of presenting is for me:

Rule 4 Know why I want to pass this information along.  

I need to be prepared to answer the 'so what?' when I present, and therefore I will be taking an instructional skills workshop in early June to help me gain an understanding around learning and teaching methodologies. I will get a toolbox of tips, and will be up and in front of an audience repeatedly - and be videoed! - to test my effectiveness. This type of experience terrifies me, but is the only way to improve, and I can't tell you how excited I am for this opportunity.

Truly, what I take away from this is that I can't believe how energized I feel - it's like I unlocked a combination of sorts for the work I do. You know that feeling you get when you've dialled to the last number of a combination lock and it falls into your hands? It's like that. So, then, the first 'number' for my archives and museum work is the collections I work with, the second is providing access to this material, and the final is having a focussed message. This opens the door for my audience to fully understand where I'm coming from, provides an opportunity for them to join the conversation, and for the audience to have their own experience with the information put out there.  And that, ladies and gentlemen, is truly the main point of the work I do.

Finding Time to Write

So sorry - I have not forgotten about you . . . really!

Now where was I? Saying I'd be back sooner rather than later? Well, obviously we've been a little challenged in that department so therefore this post will be short and to-the-point as I have so much more I need to say these days!

The British Columbia Museums Association Conference 2013
- I always like meeting new museum professionals in the province, and get so energized when I see my museum pals from all over BC. Do whatever it takes to go to your regional conference. Go!
- I gave a presentation on digitization as well as was a member of the planning committee. I was busy! But I still had the opportunity to attend other sessions as well as listen to the key-note speakers. I felt a shift going on, an energy, at this conference. In a nutshell, I felt the baton was passed to the next (my) generation. Conversations were started and input was presented by many different attendees but . . . this one was a little different somehow by the people getting up to lead the talks. It was / is so very exciting!

The Canadian Archives Summit

In January I had an opportunity to join online in a conference in Toronto that spoke to the challenges and opportunities facing Canadian archives. There were thought leaders and 'agents provocateur' who spoke to the many different perspective of what archives do, and what maybe we should focus on. Not everyone said the same thing, which is a large part what made it fascinating. Even though it was an early start here on the West Coast, I am so glad I was able to attend and, in a small part, participate in the discussion. Again, the feeling was of change, and just a hint of optimism. I feel like we're getting somewhere, baby!

What's on the horizon? Will it come to us, or will we swim to it?
(Photo taken by author in Parksville, site of the BCMA 2013 conference)

Looking Backward, Looking Forward

Or, Hello Neglected Blog .  . .

Museum blogging just didn't happen that much in 2013, likely due to the fact I am currently in the world of archives. I am enjoying immersing myself in the work, but I do find that my elusive full-time schedule doesn't leave a lot of time for musings. Despite this I still feel compelled, as one does when the calendar changes to a new year, to review and plan ahead and thus I remembered to write here.

Final updates on 2013 will be two-fold: a conference commentary and this post, a conclusion of my adventures in museum visits through my travel adventures last year.

I was fortunate enough to travel a few times in 2013. I went to the San Francisco Bay Area and visited the Oakland Museum of California - one of my all time favourite institutions. I also went to London, which I wrote about here and here.  Additionally, I visited Ottawa at the beginning of September and there I went to The National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. I have always wanted to see these flagship institutions, and test out my pre-conceived notions. I had two very different and distinct impressions, which surprised me because it wasn't at all what I expected.

The front of the National Gallery, with some street signage - oops.
Also, see the spider? It's Maman by Louise Bourgeois)
(yes - all photos in this post are my own)

The door at the top of this impressive staircase
is the entrance to the Curatorial Wing.

I went to the Gallery because the archives I work at was approached to lend some original architectural plans for an exhibition opening in November 2013, which we did end up releasing. And so, although I was in Ottawa for another reason, I took the exhibition organizers up on an offer to drop by for a behind-the-scenes tour. There I saw the exhibition mock-up, visited the conservation lab, and spoke with the curator, the exhibition coordinator, and the archivist. I was wowed with the place and the people. Such amazing art, and fabulous staff, wonderful resources. I felt very lucky to have visited, to have gotten behind the curatorial door. It also gives me hope that there are some museums in Canada that still receive funding, because that gives them an opportunity to be an outstanding institution. I don't always feel welcome in art museums but this experience was warm and invigorating because of the interactions I had with their staff. Fabulous!

As a Canadian history geek, I felt so lucky and excited to visit the Museum of Civilization the next day. I couldn't wait to see the often-mentioned Great Hall with its First Nations material, and walk through our history in the Canada Hall. I was nearly giddy with anticipation and the view.

The Great Hall is impressive, to be sure. But I did not know beforehand that this main gallery was almost exclusively art and artifacts which belonged to West Coast First Nations - in other words, what I consider to be a large part of what defines British Columbia. Beautiful objects, displayed in room after room. After room. I actually got to a feeling like, hey, maybe some of this should still be in BC? Maybe the cultures that own this would like this to be in their communities, or at least a little closer? I wondered if everyone was 'okay' with it being all the way in Gatineau, Quebec. And if the cultural owners knew that there was so much of it on display. The exhibition was all respectful and full of information, don't get me wrong, and I was surprised at my reaction. But I felt a little like 'our' best stuff was too far away from its true home. I couldn't help it.

When I went upstairs to the Canada Hall, I meandered through some interesting interpretation materials. This story of Canada was told from the earliest European contact, and from the east to the west of the country. I contemplated how else they could have done this, and ended up feeling that they had to make a choice and this one would work. I went through many min-galleries that had to tell a big story in such a small space, and thought at how that difficult that must be. Again, I really wanted to cut some slack. As I got near to the end when, again from my perspective as a British Columbian, wondered what they would choose as 'my' story. I walked through this room:

View on left-hand side of the room, looking back into the exhibition.

View on right-hand side of the room, looking back into the exhibition.

Then I looked at a replica of a northern cafe. And then the exhibition ended.

I stopped, walked around the hallway, went around the corner. Nope, it was done. That was it. 

I went back in. I walked backwards through the exhibition, all the way to the front where there was an interpreter and asked if there was any part of the gallery under renovation. Although I see now from the online exhibition that there may have actually been another room that was closed off (here), at the time I was told there was not, and that the Great Hall represented BC as well. I was taken aback that the story of how BC fit into Canada was that as an airport lounge that as the Gateway to the Far East and, oh, a totally different gallery. This representation, at least on the surface, felt like an afterthought, like they ran out of room in the exhibition. It was as if the designers had to remain so true to the timeline and the 'moving East to West' motif had to be respected, over and above telling the whole story of Canada. And what about that cafe? Is that the the whole story of how the North represented? Again, I didn't expect this strong reaction, but I felt short-changed as someone from the West, or maybe anywhere but not Ontario or Quebec. And that feeling left me more than a little surprised.

Okay, okay, I do know that the Museum of Civilization is going through a rebranding, and soon will be known as the Canadian Museum of History. I quite like that name, as I was always a little confused by the what it meant by 'civilization' - did this mean all people, everywhere, or just Canada's civilization? I know there are some political rumblings of who is in charge of these changes, but I remain all for it, especially as this means there will be gallery updates that will include Canada Hall. I also understand that there have been many town hall meetings and that there is a concerted effort for multiple points of view - check out the backgrounder on the proposed gallery. This makes me excited, but also a little wary - wondering if will I feel more a part of the museum when this gallery is redone. It naturally also makes me yearn that I were a part of its development before it's July 1, 2017 opening. I will continue to closely follow the museum's progress through social and traditional media; I want to see my Canadian experience reflected in what is presented.

So that's my impression of two of Canada's national museums I visited in September 2013. As I said above, it's not what I expected I'd feel, but I suppose that's what makes travelling so exhilarating - you just never know what you might find. I had a similar experience with the lone museum conference I attended in October, which has helped me figure out what my next steps will be looking forward to muse about my work in museums and archives.