Meaningful presentations.
By Ana Pedrosa
Tutor of the Da Vinci group
CreaNova School's presentation workshop is a transformative experience for students. Designed to improve oral expression and help overcome the fear of public speaking, this space fosters key skills such as research, the organisation of ideas, creativity and the connection between previous knowledge and new learning.
Students start with topics that arouse their interest, encouraging their active participation from the very beginning. The search for and selection of bibliographic information, visits to libraries or bookshops, the use of digital resources, the promotion of family participation (among other alternatives) and the effort to understand and synthesise the content with their own words turn this process into a truly meaningful learning process. New knowledge builds on existing knowledge, which helps them to broaden and deepen their understanding.
Throughout the course, students develop confidence in speaking in front of their peers. Moreover, the presentations not only awaken their interest in new topics, but also motivate them to learn independently and to explore their own interests. This workshop places the students at the centre of learning: they are responsible for organising themselves, researching, synthesising and presenting, while the teacher acts as a guide and facilitator. This strengthens their autonomy and fosters active participation that encourages them to learn with more enthusiasm and curiosity.
An important aspect of the workshop is the creative component: each presentation includes a practical element made at home, which also encourages the involvement of families and promotes collaborative and meaningful learning. This approach not only strengthens the bond between students and their environment, but also develops the ability to express ideas in an innovative way.
In addition, the workshop promotes transversal and comprehensive learning, encouraging the topics to include or enhance more than one language, thus broadening their communication skills and global perspective. Listening to classmates' presentations allows the group to discover new topics of interest, reinforcing their motivation and connection with the learning process.
In short, the presentation workshop is an educational tool that not only strengthens students' communication skills, but also encourages the active construction of knowledge, family involvement and learning that leaves a lasting impression.