New speech lab makes public speaking easier for students and staff

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PCC / News / April 24, 2017 /


New speech lab makes public speaking easier for students and staff

Photos and Story by Janis Nichols |

Students and faculty at Rock Creek no longer have to practice their presentations in front of their bathroom mirror. The new speech lab in the Student Learning Center in Building 7 provides a dedicated space for students and faculty to practice their presentations. The lab includes built-in equipment, allowing speakers to fully practice using audio/visual aids. There’s even room for an audience of four to help people shake their fear of public speaking.
“This new resource connects students and faculty to success in the classroom,” said Karin Gitchel, coordinator of the Student Learning Center. “The lab is an extension of whatever class or project the student is connected to. We have welcomed students and faculty from Speech, English, Communication, Vet Tech, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Business Administration, ASPCC and even a few people who will present at the Rock Creek TEDx event May 25.”
Along with providing the equipment to help students practice with audio/visual aids, the room offers students the opportunity to record their speeches for self-critiques.
Gitchel also encourages all users to invite classmates to the practice sessions. “Friends are more likely to be supportive, but classmates who share a class or project will have a better understanding of what the assignment is about and will know if the presentation has met the intention.”
Chris Edwards, a PCC communications studies instructor, said the lab had been on a Subject Area Committee (SAC) list for years. “While other campuses are planning to open a lab, I believe Rock Creek now has the only speech lab in the district.” The lab is open to all PCC students Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.
Students are encouraged ...

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