CS 3724 Fall 2005 Project Presentations

Each project group will present the results of their semester project in class during the weeks of November 29 and December 6. Following is some general information about the presentations:

• Schedule: Groups will be randomly assigned to a presentation slot. The schedule will be posted below. If your group has an unavoidable conflict, contact other groups to try to switch times. Only if two groups are in complete agreement on a switch will it be approved.

Thursday, December 1st: Groups 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9

Tuesday, December 6th: Groups 1, 5, 6, and 8

• Length: Presentations will be 10 minutes in length, with 2-3 minutes for questions & answers afterwards.
• Format: Groups must present using PowerPoint or similar presentation software from a portable computer. The instructor will provide a projector and all necessary cables. If any group wants to use the instructor's laptop computer, they must email him the presentation file no later than 9:00 am the day of the presentation. Please bring backup materials in the form of a backup computer, a CD or USB drive with the presentation file, and/or physical transparencies. Remember that you have only 10 minutes. This means that 10 slides is probably the maximum number you can present. Use as many illustrative pictures on your slides as you can, and don't try to overload slides with text.
• Participation: Each member of the group must participate (speak) during the presentation. Practice the transitions between group members so that they are smooth and so that each person knows what he/she will say.
• Content: You should summarize phases 1-4 of your class project. Focus on the important decisions you made along the way, and the rationale for your choices. Since everyone worked on the same basic project, do not include basic information that everyone will already be familiar with. Instead, focus on the novel aspects of your project, and the best/most important results you obtained.
• Grading: The presentation is worth 5 percent of your final grade. It will be graded on understandability, professionalism, smoothness, participation, etc. The presentation will not be graded on content (the results of your project) because those results are already being graded in your project reports. At least two graders will assess each presentation. The grading criteria are:
• Poise & confidence (10 points): Results from preparation; includes smoothness and clarity of presentation, and ability to answer questions
• Engagement (10 points): Talking seriously about your project, making eye contact with your audience, attempting to engage the audience, etc.
• Quality of materials (20 points): The visual quality, readability, etc. of your slides and any other materials
• Organization (25 points): The structure and understandability of your presentation
• Communication of content (25 points): How well you communicate the novel aspects of your project
• Participation (10 points): Each group member must participate in the presentation