Eliminating filler words: How to boost engagement
Recently, I reviewed a recording of an online workshop I conducted a couple of years ago about effectively using Zoom. I must admit, I cringed with embarrassment.
Um, err, yeah, hmm, you know?
The cringe-worthy experience? The abundance of unnecessary filler words was a bit embarrassing, to say the least.
Who enjoys watching themselves, or worse, hearing their own voice on a recording? It’s not a pleasant feeling.
Last year, I volunteered to conduct a workshop for my university, aiming to teach a more engaging approach to using Zoom than the typical out-of-the-box method. At the time, I believed I had it all figured out, and in some ways, I still do.
However, I made a critical mistake: I didn’t focus on the delivery of the workshop. I forgot my own golden rule: PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE.
What I did wrong
Hindsight revealed my error. Although my concept was sound, my delivery fell short. It was, well, ‘meh.’
I had a rough plan in my head, but I didn’t start developing the PowerPoint slides until an hour before the delivery. That was just plain foolish.
What was I thinking? Overconfidence, perhaps? Maybe a touch of arrogance? There was a genuine (I swear!) fire alarm evacuation in my building right before the session, but honestly, I should have been better prepared.
As I delivered the workshop, I felt a twinge of embarrassment. I joined the Zoom session late, encountered tech issues, and several planned elements didn’t go according to, well, plan.
If you want to see it, CLICK HERE!
Well, click here. It’s not my proudest moment, but the strategies and approaches discussed still hold value (considering it was mid-2022 when delivered; it’s now 2025, and I still stand by them).
Past-Gilbert had some decent ideas, I’ll give him that much. However, he really shouldn’t have procrastinated, leaving it to the last minute to piece together.
This is a significant lesson: PREPARATION. I must acknowledge that we’re often our harshest critics, so perhaps I’m overreacting slightly. It might not be as terrible as I’m making it out to be, but deep down, I know the delivery didn’t meet the mark.
Workshop 2.0
Enter Workshop 2.0. More recently, I delivered a similar workshop (not recorded). I can’t definitively judge if it was good or bad, but I know that it was better.
The 2023 workshop had some advantages:
- I had already practiced delivering the core information.
- I dedicated more time to preparation.
When I conducted the revised workshop, I felt confident, prepared, and organised. The workshop unfolded precisely as planned. At this point, I’m content, but more importantly, I quite sure that the attendees found value in it.
At the end of the day, it’s the utility that matters
Teaching is challenging, regardless of the format, be it face-to-face, hybrid, or fully online. Delivering any kind of class is difficult, considering the myriad intricacies and technical knowledge required in this era of tertiary education.
Oddly, the focus these days often seems more on the “student experience” rather than the fundamentals: inspiring the next generation and nurturing young minds who can think critically about our world.
Amidst the technological advancements, new pedagogical trends, and the pursuit of a heightened “experience,” if you’re gearing up to deliver a talk or lecture, be it online or in person (or if you’re preparing to deliver a workshop for fellow teaching professionals), remember this crucial rule: PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE.
The method you choose to prepare is entirely up to you. We all have our unique styles and strategies, but what matters most is dedicating the time to think about the exact message you wish to deliver.
