Presentation Skills – SS3 Computer Hardware & GSM Repair Lesson Note (Third Term)

An oral defence is a presentation in which a student stands before a panel of examiners to explain a project, show the work done and answer questions. A good defence combines clear slides, a timed talk of about 10 to 15 minutes, confident body language and polite, thoughtful answers to the examiners’ questions.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what an oral defence is and why it matters;
• apply the “Golden Rules” when preparing presentation slides;
• organise a 10 to 15 minute presentation using the five-part roadmap;
• use eye contact, hand movement, voice and posture to look confident;
• answer examiners’ questions politely, using the “Bridge” technique when needed;
• prepare backups and other items for presentation day.

What is an oral defence?

You have done the hard work. You have fixed the motherboard, set up the network or built the app. In the professional world, doing the work is only half the battle. The other half is telling the story of your work.

An oral defence is your chance to stand in front of a panel of examiners and prove that you are the expert. It is where you show your confidence, your communication skills and your ability to explain complex technical ideas in simple ways.

How do you prepare your slides?

Many students put too many words on their PowerPoint slides. If the examiners are busy reading your slides, they are not listening to you. Less is more.

The “Golden Rules” of slides

• The 5/5/5 Rule: No more than 5 lines of text per slide, 5 words per line, or 5 text-heavy slides in a row.
• Big, bold fonts: Use a font size of at least 24pt. People at the back of the room should be able to read it without squinting.
• High-quality photos: Instead of writing “I fixed a broken charging port,” show a clear, zoomed-in photo of the port you soldered.
• One idea per slide: Do not talk about your budget and your technical process on the same slide. Give each one its own space.

How should you structure your presentation?

You usually have about 10 to 15 minutes, so use your time well. Follow this simple “Roadmap”:

1. The Hook (1 minute): Introduce yourself and your project title. Tell the panel why this project matters to your community.
2. The Problem (2 minutes): Explain the “pain” you solved. For example: “People in my area lose their phones to water damage because they don’t have a local technician who can do ultrasonic cleaning.”
3. The Process (4 minutes): This is the main part of your talk. Show your flowcharts and schematics. Explain the most difficult part of the repair.
4. The Result (2 minutes): Show the working device. If possible, do a quick “live demo” to show it booting up or connecting to the internet.
5. Conclusion (1 minute): Summarise what you learned and thank the panel for their time.

How should you use body language and voice?

Even if you are nervous, you can “act” confident until you actually feel it.

• Eye contact: Do not look at the floor or the ceiling. Look at the examiners. If that is too scary, look at their foreheads, because it looks the same to them.
• Hands: Do not hide your hands in your pockets or fidget with a pen. Use your hands to point at your slides or the project on the table.
• Volume: Speak as if you are talking to someone at the very back of the room. If you whisper, the examiners might think you are unsure of your work.
• The “Power Pose”: Stand straight with your feet slightly apart. This helps you breathe better and makes you look like a professional engineer.

How do you handle questions from the examiners?

After you finish speaking, the examiners will ask questions. Many students fear this part most, but it is a chance to show how well you know your work.

• Listen carefully: Do not interrupt the examiner. Let them finish the question.
• Pause before answering: It is fine to think for 3 seconds. It shows you are thoughtful.
• The “Bridge” technique: If you do not know a specific detail, bridge back to what you do know. For example: “I didn’t measure the exact heat of the air gun in degrees, but I monitored the solder melting point to ensure the board didn’t ‘pop’.”
• Be respectful: Always start your answer with “Thank you for that question, Sir/Ma.” Even if the examiner criticises your work, stay polite. They want to see how you handle pressure.

What should you check on presentation day?

• The “Plan B”: Put your slides on a flash drive, email them to yourself, and have them on a laptop. If one fails, you have two backups.
• The outfit: Wear your best school uniform or a clean lab coat. Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.
• The pointer: If you have a laser pointer, practise using it so that you do not accidentally point it in someone’s eye.
• Water: Have a bottle of water nearby in case your throat gets dry from talking.

What should your oral defence show?

A great project can be ruined by a bad presentation, and a good presentation can make a simple project look amazing. Your aim is to show that you are knowledgeable, professional and honest. If you speak clearly and use your slides as “helpers” rather than “crutches,” you will leave the room with a top score.

Evaluation

1. Why is it better to show a photo of a repair than to write a paragraph about it on a slide?
2. State the 5/5/5 Rule for slides.
3. List the five parts of the presentation roadmap and the time given to each.
4. What is the “Bridge” technique, and when do you use it?

Assignment

1. Look at one of your project slides. Can you remove 3 words from it and still keep the meaning?
2. Practise your 1-minute Hook. Why is your project the best choice for an SS3 student?
3. If an examiner tells you your soldering looks “messy,” how would you respond professionally?