Re: Presentation Surveys

**"* T* <m*@hort.net>**

Well, Sheri Ann, I'm not sure that a survey is going to be very
successful.  I do surveys in connection with our work and getting
people to fill out surveys is not an easy task, even when they
actually have a monetary stake in the matter at hand.

Unless you have a definite goal that will benefit the group you're
talking to, why should anyone bother to fill out a survey form? 
People generally don't like taking the time to do it; even ones that
just ask questions about the performance of the presenter of the talk
they just heard:-)  

The thing about surveys is that the questions and the way they are
formatted have a lot to do with the answers you get and unless you
are very careful about it, any data you do get can be so skewed that
it is really meaningless.  You have to have a definite goal and know
exactly what kind of information you're trying to get from a survey.

I don't know what kind of presentations you're planning, but if
that's not just another word for a "talk" on a hort. subject, then
your best bet is to try to get some audience participation by asking
if there are any questions and answering them.  Warning here is that
you can get a roomful of blank stares as a response to that as well,
again, even from people with a monetary stake in the subject
matter:-) 

If what you are planning is a 'talk', then knowing your audience;
knowing your subject matter cold, having interesting, pertinent
slides and moving right along with intelligent commentary delivered
in a upbeat manner will keep your audience with you and awake:-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
From: Sheri Ann Richerson <SheriAnnRicherson@exoticgardening.com>

Hello. Does anyone on the list have a survey that they give after a
presentation that they would share? Or even tips for what might be
included
in one?

I have numerous presentations coming up and would like to continue to
improve them. I think asking the listeners for their thoughts might
be the
best way to go.

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