Media Module

In February 2008 when the Intergenerational Learning Project started I did the media module. A general assessment of the various forms, radio, television, films, the press. Two results from that module(1) It broaden my views on the media,hence increased my interest.(2) My favourite media is radio. now the challenge of radio to increase my interest was a reality. How could I respond to this.? Being a volunteer with Age Action I had some experience of a radio studio so it was not something new. I had often wondered how my voice came across on the airways. The opportunity presented itself as part of this module. We had to submit material 1-2minutes for the airwaves here in DCU. I submitted portion of a speech by Mother Theresa of Calcutta given at the UN in New York on Friendship. The exercise went very smooth being told that I had a great voice for radio.This to me meant so much for self confidence and a wish to proceed further in this area.

friendship

I write of two employees of a Belfast factory of different religious and political persuasions
The factory closed and our two friends went their separate ways in the world.
Many years passed and word came through that both of them emigrated to America.
Both were conscripted to the army and were sent to Vietnam where the were killed in action.

The bodies of both men lay together on a hillside in Vietnam far away from Belfast.
They differed so much in life. and still in death they were together.
We all need friendship friend and foe, rich and poor. saints or sinners.
Friendship costs nothing and means so much to both receiver and giver.
Friendship offered is never forgotten,go on be a friend.

Tips for Public Speaking

Public speaking is the greatest fear of most people, I would like to mention some tips that have been tried and tested. First is relax very important. Get to know your audience, subject and venue.

(2) Eye contact,focus on one person in the audience, then in a semi circle over the heads and the wall of the room. Good eye contact is vital.

(3) Voice projection, that is speaking rate and volume. Volume depends very much on the number in the audience and room size,also if projectors or microphones are being used.

(4) Sincerity depending on the subject. To convey sincerity by your delivery.

(5) Gestures, again depends on the nature of the subject, if too many gestures are used it takes away from the presentation. Sometimes if speaking at a lectern the speaker is encouraged to move slightly.

(6) Everybody has a certain style of speaking. Light hearted or sincere. My own is the latter. Whatever is your style try to improve on.
Those are some of the main tips for public speaking. I am in a toastmasters club myself (public speaking) for a number of years and recommend highly to anybody with an interest in public speaking.

I finish with a well known saying in the context of public speaking.
Tell the audience what you will speak about.
Speak about it.and then say what you talked about.

Intergenerational Learning

Intergenerational learning is here to stay. I have enjoyed immensely the module since it began in 2008. The friendship support good humour made it all so easy. Learning is a life time experience. I think people of my gereration certainly think they are on a different planet. Words like Facebook Twitter Powerpoint add them to our vocabulary. We hear a lot in some quarters about discrimination. inequality, a lot has been achieved by breaking down barriers, I feel inter genarational learning is and will lead the way in this area.


The conference on May 6th will be a showcase for the DCU and a defining moment for Trudy. Trudys enthusiam has driven the module from the start, Let May6th be a day to celebrate and also an occassion to remember those who for one reason or other had to drop out.