If I learned something for the past months when it comes to presenting academic papers, I think it would have to be the importance of planning. From what I have read, it is recommended that you spend a minimum of one week just rehearsing the actual delivery of speech. That time does not even include the creation of the slides which is another ordeal one has to do. For my seminar this morning, I’ve managed to do my rehearsals as early as last week. However, in a probably silly attempt, I decided to change the slides just last night and even the entire script I already prepared.

I certainly do not advise doing what I have done and I am not sure if I am going to regret it. Hehe.

Below is the transcript I delivered this morning. Those in italics were those parts I have forgotten to mention. As much as I thought I would be able to stick to it word for word, my brain just didn’t manage to do that.

Continued…

Dr. Trevathan and Ms. Dunn arranged two rehearsals prior to our class’ first seminar. I forgot to check my e-mails to see the short notice on the first rehearsal. Luckily, I was able to make it on the second rehearsal which was last Friday. There were still some missing slides that I’ve managed to put up last Monday. However, after the meeting last night, I felt that my presentation needed to be changed.

I am not sure how well/bad have I gone through this first seminar. I just hope things went well.

I would have admit I am not fully confident with the presentation I’ve managed to pull off last night. If only I had more time probably. Crucify cramming to the last minute!

I did took into consideration the comments I got during our last rehearsal and those guided me onto finishing this presentation. The major comment on the one that I had during our last rehearsal was that some parts of it are too crowded and that I have not maximized the space on some of the slides. Moreover, I was told that I was almost reading the entire presentation and Ms. Dunn mentioned that it was partly because instead of phrases, I had complete sentences in some of the slides.

Share your thoughts on my modified presentation (which is below), the harsher, the better. I need to get as much negative criticisms as I can get at this point of my project because I don’t want them facing me at the end of the tunnel. So, as early as now, I want to start preparing my Seminar 2’s presentation!

I just had my first seminar two hours ago. There were a couple of questions throwned against me. I think it was A/Prof. Atkinson who asked what is the implication of my study on mind maps. I was initially perplexed on answering the question because I have just totally departed my entire attention on mind maps and focused on the GUI component of the study. I decided to be honest about it and told him my initial perceptions on mind maps and how unpopular it has become as a memory enhancing technique. I then continued that it would be exciting to see how a tool like mind map could change its identity/appeal once it’s moved to mobile phones, being a technological medium most are comfortable with.

The second question I think came from A/Prof. Read asking about where do I intend to publish the results of my study. I was ecstatic on the question because the moment Dr. Trevathan encouraged us to publish our first term’s work, I’ve already daydreamed of ACM’s SIGCHI Journal. Hehe. I know that seems to be a pretty ambitious one but I reckon it would be worth to try and work hard for.

Initially, I wanted to tell him that I can divide my paper into several smaller papers and submit each to a different journal publication. The work on mind maps and its effectiveness on mobile phones can be submitted to an Educational Journal while the work on Mobile Interaction Model can be submitted to an Interaction Design Journal.

However, he followed up his question by asking me which specific field of IT do I see my results. I, answered, under Human Computer Interaction. And that was the end of it.

It feels good now that this seminar is over but I feel sleepy because I’ve been on a virtual freeze for a couple of days already. I did cram again my presentation last night after the meeting Dr. Holdsworth initiated. I could have just followed his suggestion of not altering the slides too much at that point in time. But, I really felt that I needed to incorporate the information I got from him and from the presentation techniques I also got from a website he gave me. I’ll be posting a link of those links later in the day.

Talking about the journals again, I have been frequent reader of the following journals and if given the chance, I would really be glad to see any of my work published in any of those below.

1. The International Journal of Mobile Human Computer Interaction (IJMHCI) – collates together a comprehensive collection of journal articles on the design, evaluation, and use of innovative handheld, mobile and wearable technologies, a close fit to my study. It also tackles issues associated with social/organizational impacts of mobile technologies and the future of emerging theories, methods and interaction designs.
2. ACM Transactions on Human Computer Interactions (ACM SIGCHI’s TOCHI) – is the premier archival journal in Human Computer Interaction. It published its first issue in March 1994 and has since then presented the highest scientific quality of work on this field. Its major emphasis is on results of broad application. However, the journal also considers authentic studies carried out focusing on the full range of design, development and use of interactive systems which includes specific domains, special requirements and ethical issues.
3. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction – is a multidisciplinary journal covering research relevant to the theory and practice of innovative interactive systems. The journal views that interdisciplinary approaches are significant for producing theoretical insights in the complex field of HCI.
4. Multimedia Tools and Applications: An International Journal – is a journal intended for academics, practitioners, scientists and engineers who are in the field of conducting research, design, survey, experimentation, and case studies of multimedia applications.