Learning how to speak powerfully about critical educational issues is an essential skill for educators and advocates for students. RESULTS [1], an international organization that advocates for preventing poverty, has designed a practical format for creating powerful laser talks. A laser talk is a structured way to communicate a message succinctly and powerfully – highly focused, targeted and effective like a laser. Another name for a laser talk is an “elevator speech” – brief enough to deliver to that key stakeholder you meet during the few moments you happen to share on an elevator. The idea is that you have a talk prepared in advance and memorized so that you can deliver it whenever the opportunity presents itself. Having a planned presentation makes it easier to avoid the wandering, rarely convincing, and sometimes boring “lecture”. Continue reading “Laser Talk for Powerful Speaking”

In an effort to learn about ways to make websites more accessible to all, I had a conversation with Jonathan Green, Communications Specialist with the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) recently. Thank you to Jonathan for taking the time to share his knowledge.

His advice was very helpful with respect to being mindful about the difficulties some may experience looking at the internet or participating in webinars. Continue reading “West Wind Aims to Provide Web Accessibility for All”