31. Speech Breakdown: TED Talk by Lara Boyd "After watching this, your brain will not be the same"
Nov 26, 2019
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Lara Boyd, a leading expert in neurobiology and motor learning, dives deep into how our brains learn and adapt. The hosts discuss the power of opening presentations with a question and the importance of storytelling in making complex scientific concepts accessible. They explore neuroplasticity, emphasizing how understanding individual brain differences can transform learning and recovery. Tips for structuring compelling presentations include using relatable examples to avoid overwhelming audiences with data. A fascinating look at blending science with effective communication!
Engaging presentations require tailoring openings to audience understanding, balancing thought-provoking questions with relatable content to foster connection.
Dr. Boyd's emphasis on the necessity of practice in learning illustrates that consistent effort drives neuroplastic change in the brain.
Deep dives
The Importance of Audience Awareness
Engaging an audience requires a speaker to be aware of their level of understanding and interests. In the speech analyzed, the speaker, Dr. Lara Boyd, opened with a broad question about learning which some found contrived and disconnected from the audience. While some appreciate a thought-provoking question, others prefer a direct approach that establishes a connection with the audience. This illustrates the need for speakers to tailor their openings to engage listeners effectively right from the start.
Communicating Complex Ideas Simply
The presentation covered complex concepts in brain research, such as neuroplasticity, but struggled with clarity and pacing. Dr. Boyd highlighted misconceptions about the brain, but a more effective approach would have been to weave these facts into relatable stories, rather than presenting them as a list. Simplifying scientific jargon and breaking down each point with clear examples could enhance understanding and retention. Engaging storytelling could help to transform dense content into memorable insights that resonate with diverse audiences.
The Significance of Practice for Neuroplasticity
A core message conveyed in the speech is that behavior significantly drives neuroplastic change in the brain. Dr. Boyd emphasized that practice and struggling during tasks lead to greater learning and structural changes in the brain. While she detailed various ways the brain changes with learning, the crucial takeaway is that there is no 'magic pill' for enhancing learning; rather, consistent effort is essential. This underscores the importance of applying knowledge through practice to achieve meaningful neuroplasticity.
Personalization in Learning and Treatment
The speaker introduced the notion of personalized medicine and learning, suggesting that each individual's unique brain structure affects how they learn. This concept arose from observing commonalities in recovery patterns among stroke patients, leading to the realization that one-size-fits-all approaches are ineffective. Understanding the variability in people's brain responses to experiences can guide the development of tailored interventions for learning and rehabilitation. Ultimately, this highlights the necessity for both learners and educators to recognize individual differences in order to optimize educational and therapeutic outcomes.
Let's get cracking on episode thirty-one of The Presentation Boss Podcast! We hear that so many listeners love these speech breakdowns, and honestly, so do we. Together we get to listen to a great speech on some topic and have a think about what works effectively, and what we can learn or discuss. It's one of the best ways to boost your presentation skills!
Dr. Lara Boyd at the time of this talk was a leader in neurobiology and motor learning in Canada (full bio in the links below) and in this talk outlines exactly how we learn at a biological level. Look, it sounds deep, because it is deep. Kate and Thomas talk a bunch about how to take this hefty scientific (but nonetheless interesting!) presentation and make it something much more accessible to the public audience.
What You'll Learn
• The options around opening your presentation with a question
• A big alternative to listing items; stories from your own perspective
• Why you should signpost the structure of any presentation, and how
• How many examples you should have for each point within your presentation
• Why the scientific world tends to struggle with presentations to lay audiences
• How a small amount of storytelling can avoid data-dumping in a presentation
• Using 'example-point' to improve effectiveness of your supporting material
• Why you should tell your audience the 'time' rather than 'how you made the watch'
• Being aware of how much mental load you're making your audience do
Mentioned In The Show
• Lara Boyd | After watching this, your brain will not be the same: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNHBMFCzznE
Resources and Links
• Email us: podcast@presentationboss.com.au
• The Presentation Boss Podcast: https://presentationboss.com.au/podcast/
• Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-norris/
• Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-krafft/
• Presentation Boss on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/presentationboss/
• Presentation Boss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/presentation-boss
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