About this course: Taught by Rice University communication faculty from the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership (RCEL). This course covers core topics in oral communication: Communication strategy, content, data visualization, and delivery. You’ll learn key principles in • Creating a communication strategy • Developing a clear message and organizing persuasive content • Creating strong visual support • Presenting data effectively • Presenting professionally and confidently • Handling formal presentations, giving pitches, speaking extemporaneously, managing online presentations, and lowering public speaking anxiety

Who is this class for: This course is geared toward practicing engineers who are early in their careers, especially those who are either in or approaching their first leadership role. This is what some of the past students said when asked: "What is the most useful thing you could gain from this course?": "Communication methods for engineering leaders. It's a rare and comprehensive course, I think not absolutely for this specific field, as I found many interesting points concerning presentation without being an engineer." "Powerful concepts on how to build persuasive communication." "Improving interactions through effective communication." "Confidence"

Created by: Rice University

Taught by: Beata Krupa, Lecturer in Professional and Engineering Communication
Rice Center for Engineering Leadership
Taught by: Gayle Moran, Lecturer in Professional and Engineering Communication
Rice Center for Engineering Leadership

Basic Info	Course 1 of 3 in the Communication Skills for Engineers Specialization
Commitment	5 weeks of study, 5-7 hours/week
Language	English
Hardware Req	Audio and Video recording device
How To Pass	Pass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings	4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Specialization Introduction - Communication for Engineers

3 videos, 4 readings

Video: Meet the Professor - Dr. Gayle Moran
Reading: Course Icon Legend
Video: Introduction to Specialization
Reading: Required Materials and Other Info
Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Introduction
Reading: Pre-Course Survey

Course Introduction - Oral Communication for Engineering Leaders

1 video, 4 readings

Reading: General Course Information
Reading: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Introduction
Reading: Discussion Forum Guidelines
Reading: Accessibility and Accommodations Statement

Week 1: Introduction and Communication Strategy: It Is All About Audience and Purpose

In this module, you’ll learn how to lay the foundation for a variety of communication modes with a discussion on developing a communication strategy and the importance of knowing your audience, your purpose, and your key message before you start communicating.

6 videos, 1 reading

Discussion Prompt: Introduce Yourself
Discussion Prompt: Think About It
Video: Communication Strategy
Video: Who Is Your Audience?
Video: What Do You Want From Your Audience?
Video: What Do You Want Your Audience to Remember?
Discussion Prompt: Example of Persuasion
Video: Choosing Medium
Discussion Prompt: Project Lead with Potential Problems
Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 1

Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 1

Graded: Record an Impromptu Speech - P/F Assignment

Graded: End of Module 1 Quiz

WEEK 2

Week 2: Presentations: What to Say so that Your Audience Listens

In today’s workplace, formal and informal presentations are a major communication tool, and leaders give them frequently for different purposes. In this module, you’ll learn how to create different types of oral presentations. You will also practice building strong, cohesive, visually interesting, and convincing persuasive presentations that will get your audience on board with your ideas.

7 videos, 5 readings, 2 practice quizzes

Discussion Prompt: Think About It
Video: How to Develop and Organize Content
Video: Pyramid Building Demonstration
Video: Inductive vs. Deductive Structure
Reading: Analyze Steve Job's Presentation
Practice Quiz: Steve's iPod Presentation Structure
Reading: Drone Pyramid - Build Your Own Logical Pyramid for a Presentation
Practice Quiz: Drone Pyramid Excercise
Video: Key Presentation Elements
Reading: Reading from Engineers Journal
Reading: Samples of Presentation Openings
Discussion Prompt: Analyze Sample Presentation Openings
Video: Principles of Persuasion
Discussion Prompt: Effective Persuasive Speeches
Video: Storytelling Power
Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 2

Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 2

Graded: TED Talk Analysis - Bone Marrow Speech Analysis - P/F Assignment

Graded: Module 2 Quiz

WEEK 3

Week 3: Creating Visual Support: A Picture Is Worth a Lot of Words

Develop good visual support for your content. Learn how to create attractive slides and other types of visuals. Especially important for engineers, you’ll find out how to show and explain complex data so your audience understands it.

6 videos, 3 readings

Discussion Prompt: Think About It
Video: When, How, and Why to Use Supporting Visuals
Video: More Visual Support Tools
Video: How to Show Complex Data
Video: More Data Visualization Options
Reading: How to Present Data
Video: Beyond PPT... Prezi, Infographics
Reading: Examples of Animated Infographics
Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 3

Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 3

Graded: Data Visualization P/F Assignment

Graded: Module 3 Quiz

WEEK 4

Week 4: How to Speak so that Your Audience Listens

Once you have your content developed and your visual support finished, you need to deliver the presentation. That means you have to stand in front of an audience, small or large, and keep them interested in what you have to say. Many things contribute to an engaging presentation, from professional body language to how fast you talk. In this module, you’ll learn and practice the many aspects of delivering a professional presentation with confidence.

6 videos, 6 readings

Discussion Prompt: Think About It
Video: How to Manage Body Language
Reading: Activities to Practice Professional Stance
Video: What to Do with Your Hands
Reading: Activities to Practice Purposeful Gestures
Video: Using Voice as a Tool to Communicate Your Message
Reading: Activities to Practice Effective Voice
Reading: Activities to Practice Engaging Eye Contact
Reading: Optional - Apps to Practice Public Speaking
Video: How to Coordinate a Team Presentation
Video: Answering Questions, Prep, and Rehearsing
Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 4

Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 4

Graded: Building Mental Habits - P/F Assignment

Graded: Module 4 Quiz

WEEK 5

Week 5: Elevator Pitch, Impromptu, Online Presentations, and Managing Public Speaking Anxiety

Have you ever had someone ask you about your job when you aren’t expecting it? How good are you at thinking on your feet? In this module, you’ll learn about other types of presentations that require different preparation and approaches. These different types are valuable additions to your communication toolkit and learning them can help set you apart as a leader.

6 videos, 5 readings

Discussion Prompt: Think About It
Video: How to Talk Without Preparation
Reading: Impromptu Speaking
Discussion Prompt: Impromptu Speaking Share
Video: Always Have a Pitch Ready
Video: Presenting Online
Video: Managing Public Speaking Anxiety
Reading: Exercises To Manage Public Speaking Anxiety
Reading: Resources - How to Manage Anxiety
Reading: Personal Communication Improvement Plan - Week 5
Video: Congratulations: Course Completed!
Reading: End-Course Survey

Graded: Capstone Real-Life Presentation Assignment - Week 5

Graded: Elevator Pitch P/F Assignment

Graded: Week 5 Quiz

FAQs

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

What if I need additional time to complete the course?

What will I get if I pay for this course?

Can I take this course for free?

What is the refund policy?

How It Works

Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from Your Peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Creators

Rice University

Rice University is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the U.S. and the top 100 in the world. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Pricing

	Purchase Course
Access to course materials	Available
Access to graded materials	Available
Receive a final grade	Available
Earn a shareable Course Certificate	Available

Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 of 14 ratings

Very practical course, involves a lot of peer graded assignments. A great opportunity to practice and improve your oral communication skills.

This course made me work for the grade more than most. I would like to see grading rubics for the assignments BEFORE I have to turn them in so I know what I am being graded on. A lot of video presentations were required in this course, and I had to invest and upgrade my webcam to capture a good video on the final presentation. Overall, this was a good course, and probably the hardest course for me out of the nine required for the Engineering Leadership and Management certificate.

Five weeks ago, I wouldn't think about recording myself presenting. To be honest, I would look for any excuse to get away from it. This course pushed me in the right direction, I learned a lot and ended up with 10+ videos presenting different topics.

Thanks for this class. It effectively delivers the basic and important details about oral communication. Both the slides and the content are well organized. Thanks !