Microsoft has created an elaborate AI-based tool to improve presentations and presentation skills in PowerPoint. With a collection of evaluation features ranging from presentation content to tone of voice, Presenter Coach holds massive opportunities for growth and development. Some, like myself, may be thinking, “If only this tool had existed in the past!”. Reflecting back over the years in my academic life, I find many experiences where I could have benefited immensely from Presenter Coach’s help. Nonetheless, you can still discover its possibilities today!
How Does It Work?
PowerPoint has a “Rehearse with Coach” extension that opens up a feedback window on your screen as you vocally go through your presentation content. Presenter Coach privately listens in as you speak into PowerPoint. As you go through your presentation, AI is picking up on things you may not otherwise notice. Once you are finished talking, it offers an extensive review of your presentation that highlights multiple areas of your work. In the end, it looks something like this!
Presenter Coach Features:
Here are some things this tool picks up on, AKA the “magic”.
Public Speaking
- Your tone of voice: Are you speaking too loud or softly?
- Your pace of speaking: Are you speaking too fast for others to comprehend, or too slowly to keep the audience’s attention and make an impact?
- Your total talking pace over time: Did you begin the presentation with lots of energy and fizzle out towards the end?
- The total time it took to present: Did you stay on point with the presentation time frame?
- The emphasis on words as you speak: Were some words over-emphasized creating unintended meanings?
Wait, there’s more!
Content
- Originality check.
- The degree of inclusivity in content.
Language
- Use of filler words: “Um”, “like”, and “so”, just to name a few.
- Brings awareness to any potentially sensitive phrases.
- Repetitive words.
- Swear words.
Presenter Coach has a new tool that can now evaluate your body language! The information humans receive from communicating relies on both nonverbal and verbal observations. In fact, communication consists of over half of nonverbal feedback. Presenter Coach provides a well-rounded way to effectively communicate with others.
Reflection
I always considered public speaking as a skill that could only be improved the old-fashioned way. I use to dread hearing myself mess up in class presentations. Likewise, I did not feel as if I was making any substantial progress in my skills by rehearsing out loud or with others and this was mainly due to the lack of specific feedback I was given. The privacy aspect of Presenter Coach can help ease public speaking anxiety which is so common among people of all ages. After learning about all the features of Presenter Coach, I see this tool dramatically changing the way students and professionals feel about public speaking and presenting. I even see myself using this tool for practicing my speech for my sister’s wedding this summer- the possibilities are endless!