Published Assessment Tools

In 2006, in conjunction with New York University, Dr. Leila Jahangiri and Tom Mucciolo collaborated on an extensive research project to identify the skills that contribute to a speaker’s effectiveness. From the findings of that published study, the authors designed a series of interactive assessment tools which measure as many as 80 independent skill elements to arrive at effectiveness ratings across multiple audience types.

These assessment tools were peer-reviewed and recently published, supplementing the efforts of the original research.

sample-screens-grouped-cutoutIn January 2010, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) accepted our Presentation Skills Assessment Tools for online publication on the MedEdPORTAL site, a peer-reviewed publication service and repository for medical and oral health teaching materials, assessment tools, and faculty development resources.

The MedEdPORTAL site is NOT restricted to medical institutions. Therefore, any individual or organization can register (create an account) and have access to the educational materials. Many of these resources are not specific to medicine, such as our Skills Assessment tools, which are designed measure the level of effectiveness of a presenter (who may be a teacher, trainer, speaker, etc.).

Measurements are audience-specific. For example, attendees at a seminar or conference have different preferences from those involved in a training session or a university lecture.

Therefore, certain sets of skills are more effective with different audiences.

To test the validity of the instrument, 120 individuals across several professions volunteered to be surveyed using the same study criteria as in the original research, and the results were consistent with the published findings. To further explore the usability and applicability of the tools across an even wider spectrum, the assessment was offered and used with 1,280 individuals in diverse fields internationally, in over 15 different countries. As a result, further refinements of the assessment tools were made to reflect global preferences.

Applications

Organizations continually seek quantifiable, objective measurements to evaluate skills. These peer-reviewed, published assessment tools provide instantaneous feedback and numerical scores as a method of self and peer evaluation. The utility and design of the forms allow anyone to self-evaluate or evaluate someone else, in order to improve presentation skills. To experience an analysis, a free Skills Assessment is offered. 

To account for a variety of presentation situations, there are THREE versions of the skills assessment:
STANDARD – for lectures, presentations, or seminars, where the presenter is seen and has accompanying slides.
SPEECH-ONLY – for lectures, speeches, or broadcasts, where the presenter is seen but does not have accompanying slides.
WEBINAR – for online presentations, or podcasts, where the presenter cannot be seen (only heard), and has accompanying slides.

These interactive assessment tools are designed to be user friendly, non-labor intensive, while providing immediate feedback and a measurable pathway to self improvement, regardless of profession. Typically used to complement other evaluation methods, the feedback from these assessments can improve general presentation/teaching/training skills, and provide input regarding online presentations and public speaking.

From a professional perspective, MediaNet uses these evaluation tools in coaching workshops and in Digital Coaching sessions to identify specific challenges and opportunities, while offering constructive advice for self-improvement.

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