Elevator Pitch?

We had this short session of presenting/discussing ELEVATOR PITCH this week.

So what is ELEVATOR PITCH anyway?

This is how I understood it: A very short description of the whole research work that one is doing, but, being said in a very interesting way, as if you are selling it to another person. This should be done within 30 secs, and as its name portrays, imagine being in a lift, and you met somebody that could sponsor your project, and this person asked, 'WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE DOING?'

So, basically, you need to sell it, promote it, makes it sound very very interesting.. so that they will buy your idea! *do you get me?*

I find this exercise very useful, because it helps to make you understand better on the research work that you are interested in, and putting it in layman's word is not as easy as one could think of. It was very hard for a friend of mine, as she was very used to doing and writing technical stuffs.. however, practices is really needed in doing this.

Some quotes from our lecturer: When you meet different people, practice telling them what you are doing.. try different ways, and you will one day find the most easiest/suitable way to explain the whole research you are doing.. even if it is your grandma whom asked!

Anyway, just to reflect on what I did... I volunteered to present mine, and here how it goes:

"Can you imagine that one day, children will be able to control the c*****n their watching? Great isn't it? and bla.. bla.. bla..."

It was a good start, but anyhow, I continued with reading all the thing I wrote on the paper... which was a shame really... as it just puts people off then... duh.... blimey...

It was sooo nerve wrecking standing in front, and having everybody staring at you.. owh.. how I wish I could do better again... And my closing statement, was not that powerful, I just ended it without reminding them again of the good intro I gave. G.F. said that, I should have a good round up to it, so that, it will help people to again catch up with what I wanted to do...

anyway, good try girl! YOU GO!

i was thinking...

I was thinking of doing my research based on multimedia and testing the eye movements of students when reading... I do not know whether this is the best idea.. i haven't found anything on this yet in my research. My husband had gave me this idea of having it done and to compare which design is preferable by dyslexia's students. I have not designed anything as yet, but I have ideas on it.

I read this short story given by a friend, Sera. She downloaded them from the internet:

Curly Line with Flowers
(from 'Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers')

The story of Jessie, a dyslexic girl, who writes a diary of her brave struggle for acceptance and how she wins it, with the help of her mother, her teacher and a friend.

It was from Ronit Baras. It is a good article and helps me a lot in understanding this little kid's problem with reading. Her therapist had helped her a lot in gaining confidence and giving a lot of motivation and encouragement in writing via emails and writing in diaries given specially to this little kid.

This gave me the ideas of practicing writing reflections in diaries. I learned Reflection Practice Writing when I was doing my Master Course with Steve Cockerill in LMU. I really like the course, understood it very well, even though I did not score that high. I was thinking of implementing this idea in my PhD research study. It would be great to be able to see what's on the student's mind and how they feel besides being able to encourage them to write more and not being ashamed of not being able to write properly.

Oh.. I know the journey of understanding this is still far for me. But I am trying my best to put myself in the shoes of Dyslexic person. Please share your experiences with me as it will greatly help in contributing to my deep understanding of the matter.

I have this great comments given by Liz from I Speak Of Dreams. I really appreciate her comments and sharing. I am open to any positive ideas, comments to better my research and understanding. I am sorry if I am not sensitive enough about the subject. I am still learning about this and I seek for all your help to make me better.

Thank you all!

Will have to read more to gain more understanding.