Prof follows lead of major universities
- About a year ago, Corff researched how the top five communication programs from different universities are instructing their students in the field.
- The program allows the students to become aware of saying “um” too many times or fidgeting while they make speeches.
Photo by Amber McBride
Julie Corff
By Cathy Murray, News Writing Student
Speech Communications Professor Julie Corff is excited about new communications technology on campus that allows students to download their speeches off the Internet.
About a year ago, Corff researched how the top five communication programs from different universities are instructing their students in the field.
She said she learned that filming speeches and then watching them was a popular technique among prestigious universities such as Harvard.
Armed with that information, Corff said she teamed with OCCC’s Instructional Video Services to improve the learning opportunity for her students.
She formed a group that included Instructional Video Services Coordinator Tim Whisenhunt, Instructional Technology Coordinator Bill Hill and Video Broadcast Engineer Mike Bates to make her dream come true.
Together, she said, they came up with a special computer program where Instructional Video Services could videotape student speeches, then upload them to the Internet so students could watch themselves as well as critique their own speeches.
The program allows the students to become aware of saying “um” too many times or fidgeting while they make speeches, Corff said.
Student Brittani Hill said it’s helpful.
“It helps because we can see ourselves speak,” she said.
“We’ve watched videos of student speeches from previous semesters which has allowed us to see how somebody else walks around the room or constantly uses the word ‘um.’”
Corff said it has taken the group a year to complete this program.
“It was first tested in the fall semester of 2007 and was very successful.”
Student Michael Sparks said he believes this is a very helpful approach in learning how to make professional speeches.
“What helps is the practice,” Sparks said. “Sometimes it’s difficult to watch yourself on TV, but it really helps in the long run.”
One of Corff’s goals is to expand the program’s availability to all public speaking students as well as the entire campus, she said.
“Eventually, we want to learn how to download the speeches onto phones and iPods so that they can be accessed by the students at any time of the day,” Corff said.
“We are very excited with where this is going and can’t wait to see what upcoming technology has in store for us to experiment with.”
