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There are 4 modules in this course
Great speakers focus on voice, nonverbals, eye contact, body language, and storytelling to captivate their audiences. Moreover, as a leader, it is possible to communicate in such a manner and in such a tone of voice so as to inspire in others nothing but an intense desire to excel, making this form, potentially, the most powerful leadership-communication skill of all. This course focuses on the fundamentals of excellent oral communication.
This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.
Effective technical presentations do not begin with slides. They begin with judgment. Technical managers must decide who their audience is, what that audience cares about, how much technical detail is appropriate, and how to make a message memorable. In this module, you will analyze audience needs and use storytelling strategically to craft a presentation opening that is relevant, credible, and engaging. By the end of the module, you will have prepared and delivered a brief presentation segment that lays the foundation for your final polished presentation.
What's included
4 videos14 readings6 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 11 minutes
The First Step Is Knowing One's Audience!•3 minutes
"Reach" Your Audience With Storytelling•3 minutes
Where Do Stories Come From?•3 minutes
Lessons on Storytelling•3 minutes
14 readings•Total 146 minutes
Lesson Guide: The First Step in Speaking to a Group•5 minutes
Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Help•10 minutes
AI Grading and Feedback•10 minutes
Essential Pieces To Know Your Audience•15 minutes
Great Presentation Skills and Slides Are Not Enough•15 minutes
Practice Your ABCs•15 minutes
Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
Lesson Guide: The Art and Power of Storytelling•5 minutes
Great Power is Found in Storytelling•15 minutes
Lesson Guide: Where Do We Find Good Stories?•5 minutes
Stories Are Everywhere!•15 minutes
Lesson Guide: How to Tell a Story•5 minutes
Making a Story Meaningful•15 minutes
What Story and When?•15 minutes
6 assignments•Total 185 minutes
Practice Delivering a Short Presentation Opening•90 minutes
Audience Analysis Quiz•20 minutes
Storytelling Impact Quiz•15 minutes
Story Selection Practice•15 minutes
Story Structure Quiz•15 minutes
Deliver a Short Presentation Opening•30 minutes
Deliver with Presence and Control
Module 2•5 hours to complete
Module details
Strong technical presentations depend not only on what you say, but also on how you say it. Technical managers must use eye contact, voice, gestures, and facial expression to project confidence, strengthen credibility, and keep an audience engaged. In this module, you will refine your delivery skills so that your presentation style supports your message rather than distracting from it. By the end of the module, you will have prepared and delivered a brief presentation segment using more purposeful and polished speaking behaviors.
What's included
5 videos10 readings6 assignments
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 16 minutes
Addressing a Group With Eye Contact•3 minutes
Voice Modulation is an Attention Grabber•3 minutes
80% Of Your Communication is Nonverbal•3 minutes
A Brief on Hand Gestures•4 minutes
A Brief on Facial Expressions•3 minutes
10 readings•Total 110 minutes
Lesson Guide: Focusing on Eye Contact•5 minutes
The Secret Ingredient When Speaking To a Group!•15 minutes
Lesson Guide: Focusing on Voice Modulation•5 minutes
The Many Aspects of Vocal Modulation•15 minutes
A Superpower You Didn't Know You Have•15 minutes
Lesson Guide: Focusing on Non-verbal Communication•5 minutes
The Top Five Nonverbal Cues•15 minutes
Lesson Guide: Focusing on Facial Expressions and Gestures•5 minutes
Give Meaning to Your Words•15 minutes
What Is Your Primary Track for Presenting?•15 minutes
6 assignments•Total 180 minutes
Refine Your Speaking Skills•90 minutes
Eye Contact Quiz•15 minutes
Voice Modulation Quiz•15 minutes
Nonverbal Communication Quiz•15 minutes
Facial Expressions and Gestures Quiz•15 minutes
Deliver a Presentation with Refined Speaking Skills•30 minutes
Designing Slides and Preparing the Presentation Environment
Module 3•5 hours to complete
Module details
Effective technical presentations require more than strong speaking skills. They also require visual discipline and environmental awareness. Technical managers must decide what information belongs on a slide, how to make visuals easy to read, and how to prepare the presentation environment so that technology, room setup, and logistics support the message rather than distract from it. In this module, you will apply principles of slide design and presentation setup to create a presentation segment that is clear, professional, and audience-centered. By the end of the module, you will have prepared and delivered a brief slide-supported presentation segment that strengthens your message and advances your progress toward the final polished presentation.
What's included
4 videos9 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 14 minutes
A Secret to Slide Preparation•3 minutes
The Focus Box•3 minutes
Site Preparation: Neglected But Necessary•3 minutes
The Slide Changer and Laser Pointer•4 minutes
9 readings•Total 110 minutes
Lesson Guide: Presentation Slides and Font Size•5 minutes
Introduction to Preparing Slides•20 minutes
Prepare Slides Like a Pro•15 minutes
Lesson Guide: Avoid Death by PowerPoint and Using a Focus Box•5 minutes
Lively and Concise Presentation Slides•15 minutes
Lesson Guide: The Importance of Site Preparation•5 minutes
How to Prepare Your Presentation Environment•20 minutes
Lesson Guide: Equipment Associated with Presentations•5 minutes
Use Presentation Technology So the Technology Supports Your Message•20 minutes
5 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Practice Delivering a Slide-Supported Presentation•90 minutes
Slide Readability Quiz•15 minutes
Concise Slide Design Quiz•15 minutes
Presentation Environment Quiz•15 minutes
Deliver a Slide-Supported Presentation•30 minutes
Rehearsing, Adapting, and Presenting Professionally
Module 4•5 hours to complete
Module details
Polished presentations are rarely the result of talent alone. They are the result of preparation. Technical managers must know their topic deeply, rehearse with intention, anticipate what could go wrong, and adapt their approach to professional contexts such as customer or stakeholder presentations. In this module, you will strengthen the final stages of presentation preparation so that your delivery is confident, flexible, and audience-ready. By the end of the module, you will have prepared and delivered a more fully rehearsed presentation segment that demonstrates topic command, professional presence, and readiness for your final polished presentation.
What's included
4 videos7 readings6 assignments1 plugin
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 12 minutes
The 360: Knowing Everything•3 minutes
The Rehearsal•3 minutes
Reality and Working Through It•4 minutes
Really? Paper Copies?•3 minutes
7 readings•Total 90 minutes
Lesson Guide: Knowing One's Topic•5 minutes
Learn Everything About Your Topic•20 minutes
Lesson Guide: The Incredible Power of Rehearsal•5 minutes
How Many Times Do You Need to Rehearse? •20 minutes
Lesson Guide: What If Something Goes Wrong?•5 minutes
Sometimes Things Can Go Wrong•15 minutes
Ten Tips For Presenting To a Client•20 minutes
6 assignments•Total 180 minutes
Practice Your Rehearsed Professional Presentation•90 minutes
Topic Mastery Quiz•15 minutes
Rehearsal Strategies Quiz•15 minutes
Managing Presentation Problems Quiz•15 minutes
Customer-Facing Presentation Quiz•15 minutes
Deliver a Rehearsed Professional Presentation•30 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
AI grading and feedback student survey•15 minutes
Earn a career certificate
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Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
View eligible degrees
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.