October 12, 2009

Dear P310/510'ers:

I pass along a few guiding comments about your presentations 
that begin tomorrow.

Mechanics:
          Three styles work well.  A simple chalk-board talk with notes
is fine.  Equally good, you may use overhead transparencies or
a Power Point-like program.  Remember that you have only 10
minutes, followed by 5 minutes for questions from your colleagues. 
I can make transparencies for you if you bring pages to me at
least 20 minutes before class.  If you use Power Point, make sure 
that you know how to find your .ppt file on the system or that you 
bring it on a memory stick.

Purpose:
	This presentation is intended to be an overview -- its
purpose is to inform the listener about a body of knowledge or 
research.  "If they are good readers respond with 'I didn't know that'
or 'I am glad to get this information.' "[Ken Richards, SPEA, IUB].
As your colleagues have knowledge both math and physics, I
strongly encourge you to make your presentation quantitative.

Summary:
	On October 20, next Tuesday, I'll ask you for a two-page
paper, summarizing your presentation and giving the references you
used.  This two-page paper is not an outline and does not include
pictures.  I want you to write in carefully edited language the essential
content and conclusions of your presentation. 

Best from physics,
Ben