Gabriela Rangel- Reflection #2

Reflection 2

Introduction

Watching Group 4 and Group 2’s presentations was a great learning experience that showed me how different public speaking styles can shape the way an audience connects with a topic. Both groups focused on subjects that matter to me, such as immigration, healthcare, and the environment. These are not only major social issues but also personal ones. As I watched, I learned about their research and also thought about how I could improve my own communication and presentation skills in future projects.

Group 4: Health Care and Immigration

I was immediately impressed by Group 4’s organization and professionalism. From the start, they looked prepared and confident. Everyone wore matching outfits, which made them appear united and serious about their work. Their coordinated appearance gave them credibility before they even began speaking. The slides were clear, colorful, and easy to follow. I liked that the text was simple and that they used meaningful images instead of overcrowding their slides. They also created a brochure that looked neat and well designed. It gave the audience something to take home and made their project stand out.

Their presentation felt very organized. Each member had a specific section with their own script, which made the transitions smooth and consistent. They shared strong information about immigration and healthcare, both in the United States and in other countries. The use of statistics, examples, and interviews made their points easy to understand and believable. It was clear that they had done thorough research and understood their topic deeply.

The subject was also personal for me. I used to be an immigrant and I am still not a legal resident, so I felt connected to what they said about the challenges immigrants face in getting healthcare. It reminded me of the struggles my parents had when we first arrived in this country. Finding affordable care and understanding medical paperwork were constant problems. Hearing the group describe those same experiences made their presentation feel genuine and emotional. It wasn’t just academic—it felt real. Including interviews with people who faced similar struggles made it even more powerful and authentic.

If I had to mention one small weakness, it would be that some speakers sounded a little monotone when reading from their scripts. I think this happened because of nerves, not lack of preparation. Speaking in front of classmates can be stressful, and I could tell they were trying to stay calm and focused. Since the rest of their work was so polished, I didn’t see it as a big issue. With more practice and confidence, their delivery would easily sound more natural. Overall, I thought Group 4 did an excellent job. They balanced strong content, visuals, and teamwork to create an informative and meaningful presentation.

Group 2: Health Care and the Environment

Group 2’s presentation was just as impressive but in a different way. Their topics—healthcare and the environment—are two things I’m personally interested in, so I was very engaged from the start. Like Group 4, they dressed professionally, which made them look confident and organized. I believe professional clothing makes a big difference in public speaking because it shows respect for the audience and the topic.

What I liked most was how they linked environmental issues to human health. They started by talking about an environmental crisis in New York that I had never heard of before. Learning that this event led to new environmental laws was fascinating. It immediately caught my attention and helped me understand how environmental problems can shape government action. Their explanation was clear and full of strong facts, numbers, and examples that showed how closely the environment and human health are connected in daily life.

I also admired their body language and eye contact. They smiled, moved naturally, and seemed comfortable with each other and the audience. This made the presentation more engaging. Another thing that stood out was their interview with the Miami Dade College staff at the Change Maker Hub. Including a local example made the topic feel more relevant to our campus and community. It showed that these issues are not far away—they affect the place where we study and live.

There was very little I didn’t like about their presentation. If I had to make one suggestion, it would be to add a bit more movement or gestures when speaking. A little physical energy can make a presentation even more dynamic. Still, this was a very small detail because they did almost everything else extremely well. Their professionalism, teamwork, and level of preparation were obvious and inspiring.

Reflection on My Group’s Presentation

After watching these two groups, I reflected on my own group’s work. I think we did fairly well, but there are definitely areas where we could improve. For instance, we could create smoother scripts that sound more natural, use more examples and visuals to support our ideas, and include elements that help the audience connect emotionally with our topic. We should also try to interact more with the audience instead of reading directly from our slides. Dressing in coordinated outfits would also help us appear more professional and confident, just like the other groups did.

Watching these presentations made me realize that public speaking is not only about what you say, but also about how you present yourself. Everything matters—tone, body language, teamwork, and design. The more prepared and confident you look, the more your audience trusts what you are saying. I learned that every small choice, from visuals to posture, can influence how a presentation is received.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Group 4 and Group 2 demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and professionalism. Group 4’s focus on immigration and healthcare reminded me of my own experiences as an immigrant and the importance of discussing real issues that affect people’s daily lives. Group 2’s connection between healthcare and the environment taught me something new and inspired me to think more deeply about how our planet’s health impacts our own.

This assignment helped me learn not just about these important topics but also about what makes a presentation effective and memorable. I realized that good preparation, confidence, and audience engagement are key to successful public speaking. I truly enjoyed all the presentations and feel motivated to use what I learned to make my next project even better.