Report of the FDP on Communication and Presentation Skills, Presented by ICT Academy Guwahati and hosted by Sarupathar College from March 24 to March 28, 2025
A week-long Faculty Development Program (FDP) on Communication and Presentation Skills was organized at Sarupathar College in collaboration with ICT Academy, Guwahati from 24th March to 28th March, 2025. This program was a part of the annual academic collaboration between the two institutions, aimed at enhancing the professional development of faculty members and participants. A total of 35 participants from various institutions took part in the program.
Inaugural Session
The FDP commenced with an inaugural session, attended by all participants and faculty members of Sarupathar College. Dr. Ridip Khanikar, IQAC Coordinator of Sarupathar College, welcomed all attendees and provided a brief overview of the FDP, highlighting its objectives and expected outcomes. Dr. Prapti Thakur, Principal of Sarupathar College, felicitated and welcomed Mr. Sunil Borah, the trainer from ICT Academy, Guwahati. In her inaugural speech, Dr. Thakur expressed her optimism for the program's success and emphasized the significance of communication and presentation skills in academic and professional settings.
The inaugural session set the stage for an enriching and interactive FDP, paving the way for insightful discussions and hands-on learning experiences throughout the week.
Day- 1:
Communication Skills and its Basics
Resource Person: Sunil Borah, Trainer, ICTA, Guwahati
The first day of the FDP on ‘Communication and Presentation Skills’ was conducted by Mr. Sunil Borah, focusing on the fundamentals of effective communication. The session covered essential aspects of communication, including its modes, influencing factors, barriers, and strategies for engaging students.
Key Discussion Points:
How to Communicate?
- The session emphasized clarity, confidence, and active listening as key elements of effective communication.
Signs of Communication:
- Verbal (words, tone) and non-verbal (body language, facial expressions) cues play a crucial role in conveying messages.
Modes of Communication:
- Different forms such as verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual communication were discussed.
Cultural and Environmental Influences:
- Factors like culture, geography, dress, and dialects shape communication styles and perceptions.
Engaging Students:
- Methods to capture students' attention included interactive discussions, storytelling, and practical exercises.
Identifying Student Nature:
- Observing behavior, participation, and learning styles helps in understanding students' individual needs.
Barriers to Communication:
-Physical Barriers: Noise, distance, poor infrastructure.
-Psychological Barriers: Prejudices, stress, lack of interest.
- Organizational Barriers: Hierarchy, rigid policies.
Managing Nervous Energy:
- Techniques such as deep breathing, positive self-talk, and practice were suggested to control nervousness.
Activity: Chinese Whispers:
The session concluded with a fun and insightful listening exercise—*Chinese Whispers*—demonstrating how messages can get distorted in communication and the importance of clarity.
The day’s session provided valuable insights into the fundamentals of communication, common challenges, and practical strategies for effective interaction. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how to improve their communication skills in both personal and professional settings.
Report on Day 2: Presentation Skills:
Resource Person: Sunil Borah, Instructor/Trainer, ICTA
The second day of the training focused on Presentation Skills, conducted by Mr. Sunil Borah. The session covered structured approaches to effective presentations, different teaching platforms, essential communication principles, and cognitive learning frameworks.
Key Discussion Points:
The 4 Ps of Effective Presentations:
- Planning: Structuring content logically.
- Preparation: Researching and organizing materials.
-Practice: Rehearsing to improve delivery.
-Presentation: Engaging the audience with confidence.
Presentation Materials:
- Importance of ‘handouts’ to supplement verbal delivery and reinforce key points.
Teaching/Learning Platforms:
- CRT (Classroom Teaching): Traditional face-to-face instruction.
- Asynchronous: Self-paced learning (e.g., recorded lectures).
- Synchronous: Real-time online interaction (e.g., live webinars).
- Blended: Combination of online and in-person methods.
- Flipped Classroom: Students review material beforehand, followed by interactive sessions.
The 7 Cs of Effective Communication:
- Completeness: Providing all necessary information.
- Concreteness: Using clear, specific examples.
- Courtesy: Being respectful and polite.
- Correctness: Ensuring factual and grammatical accuracy (linked to Emotional Intelligence).
- Clarity: Avoiding ambiguity.
- Consideration: Understanding the audience’s needs.
- Conciseness: Delivering messages succinctly.
Bloom’s Taxonomy (Revised)
- Framework for structuring learning objectives:
- Remembering → Understanding → Applying → Analyzing → Evaluating → Creating
- Emphasized its role in designing impactful presentations and assessments.
The session provided practical strategies for delivering compelling presentations across various platforms while adhering to communication best practices. Participants gained insights into structuring content, engaging audiences, and leveraging Bloom’s Taxonomy for effective teaching and learning.
Report on Day 3: Presentation Skills – Netiquette
Topic: Netiquette
Resource Person: Sunil Borah, ICTA
The third day of the workshop on Presentation Skills focused on the essential aspects of Netiquette, emphasizing appropriate behavior and communication in virtual spaces. The session was conducted by Mr. Sunil Borah, an expert from ICTA, who provided valuable insights into digital communication etiquette.
THINK Before You Post
A key takeaway from the session was the importance of THINKing before posting or sending messages online. THINK stands for:
- T – Is it True?
- H – Is it Helpful?
- I – Is it Inspiring?
- N – Is it Necessary?
- K – Is it Kind?
These guiding principles ensure that online interactions remain respectful, constructive, and professional.
Rules of Netiquette
Mr. Borah elaborated on the fundamental rules of netiquette, which include:
- Respect Others – Be polite and considerate in online communication.
- Use Proper Language and Tone – Avoid using all caps (which signifies shouting) and be mindful of tone.
- Keep Messages Concise and Relevant – Ensure clarity and brevity in messages.
- Acknowledge and Give Credit – Properly credit sources when sharing information.
- Protect Privacy – Avoid sharing personal information or confidential data online.
- Avoid Spamming – Do not flood chats or inboxes with unnecessary messages.
- Be Patient and Professional – Exercise patience and professionalism, especially in formal digital interactions.
Do’s and Don’ts of Virtual Chatting
The session also covered essential do’s and don’ts for virtual communication:
Do’s:
Use professional and respectful language.
Mute the microphone when not speaking in virtual meetings.
Use proper grammar and punctuation.
Be concise and clear in messages.
Respond promptly and politely.
Don’ts:
Avoid using offensive or inappropriate language.
Do not interrupt others while they are speaking.
Avoid excessive emojis or informal slang in professional settings.
Do not ignore or delay responses unnecessarily.
Avoid sharing misleading or unverified information.
Nature of the Audience
The audience comprised students and professionals eager to refine their online communication skills. The interactive nature of the session encouraged active participation, with attendees sharing their experiences and challenges related to netiquette. The discussion included real-life scenarios and best practices for maintaining professionalism in digital interactions.
The session on Netiquette was highly informative and relevant in today’s digital age. Mr. Sunil Borah effectively highlighted the significance of THINKing before communicating online and adhering to proper netiquette rules. The guidelines on virtual chatting further reinforced the importance of maintaining decorum and professionalism in digital conversations. Participants left the session with a better understanding of how to navigate online communication responsibly and respectfully.
Report on Day 4: Presentation Skills – Animation
Topic: Animation
Resource Person: Sunil Borah, ICTA
The fourth day of the workshop on Presentation Skills focused on the use of animation in presentations. The session was conducted by Mr. Sunil Borah from ICTA, who provided practical insights into how animation can enhance PowerPoint presentations and overall delivery effectiveness.
Understanding Animation
The session began with an introduction to animation, explaining its role in making presentations more engaging and visually appealing. Mr. Borah highlighted different types of animations, including:
- Entrance Effects – Used to introduce elements dynamically.
- Emphasis Effects – Applied to highlight key points.
- Exit Effects – Used to remove elements smoothly.
- Motion Paths – Create movement across slides for a seamless transition.
Use of Animation in PPT Preparation and Presentation
Participants were guided through the effective application of animations in PowerPoint presentations. Key points covered included:
Enhancing Visual Appeal – Using animations to make slides more engaging.
Maintaining Professionalism – Avoiding excessive animations that can distract the audience.
Guiding Audience Attention – Using animations to emphasize key messages.
Smooth Transitions – Ensuring seamless flow between slides for better comprehension.
Timing and Speed Control – Adjusting animation speed to match the pace of the presentation.
Practical Demonstrations – Hands-on practice with PowerPoint animation tools and features.
Practical Session on Animation
The session included a hands-on practical workshop where participants created animated slides. They applied different animation effects, transitions, and motion paths under Mr. Borah’s guidance. This interactive segment allowed participants to experiment with various techniques and gain confidence in using animations effectively.
Day 4 of the workshop provided a comprehensive understanding of animation in presentations. Mr. Sunil Borah’s expertise and practical demonstrations enabled participants to grasp the nuances of using animations effectively. The session equipped attendees with essential skills to enhance their presentations, ensuring they are both visually appealing and professionally structured.
Report on Day 5: Presentation Skills – Use of AI in Presentation and Communication
Topic: Use of AI in Presentation and Communication
Resource Person: Sunil Borah, ICTA
The final day of the workshop focused on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in presentation and communication. Mr. Sunil Borah conducted the session, providing valuable insights into how AI tools can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of presentations.
Use of AI in Presentation and Communication
The session explored various AI-driven tools and their applications in creating impactful presentations. Key points covered included:
AI-powered Presentation Tools – Utilizing platforms like Microsoft Designer, Canva, and Beautiful.ai for automated slide creation.
Speech and Voice Assistants – Using AI for voice modulation, script generation, and virtual assistance.
Real-time Language Translation – AI tools that enable multilingual communication.
Automated Content Generation – AI-assisted text and image generation for designing engaging slides.
Personalized Audience Engagement – AI-driven insights for improving interaction with audiences.
AI in Presentation Design – Smart formatting, color suggestions, and layout optimizations.
Practical Session on AI in PPT Preparation and Designing
Participants engaged in a hands-on practical session where they experimented with AI-based tools for designing and enhancing PowerPoint presentations. They explored:
- AI-powered design recommendations for better aesthetics.
- Automated slide generation using text prompts.
- Voice narration and speech-to-text tools for enhancing accessibility.
- AI-driven data visualization for improved storytelling.
Valedictory Session
As the Faculty Development Program (FDP) came to an end, Mr. Sunil Borah expressed his gratitude to the FDP coordinator, Dr. Ridip Khanikar, for his dedication and effort in organizing the program. He also extended his thanks to all the participants from different institutions for their active involvement.
Dr. Ridip Khanikar led the valedictory session, where he thanked the resource person, participants, and all those who contributed to the successful execution of the FDP. He appreciated the cooperation and enthusiasm displayed throughout the program, emphasizing the importance of applying the acquired skills in professional settings.
