Executive summary

  • Data-driven self-correction: Students moved beyond "awkward" initial presentation rehearsals to become highly self-aware, using objective timing and verbal data to identify and revise issues in their dialogue.

  • Overcoming the "Introvert’s Barrier": Students who previously struggled to project their voices or maintain eye contact gained the confidence to stand at the front of the class and engage their audience.

  • Improved Information Retention: Students utilized the "note taking" feature to create "hump markers"—short text prompts that helped them navigate difficult transition points without reading word-for-word from a script.

  • Synergy between technology and human coaching: With Genio Present handling technical feedback on filler words and pacing, the instructor was free to focus on human-centric coaching, such as body language and mannerisms.

  • Real-world pressure readiness: Through repetitive practice, students developed the "confidence to handle live crowd energy," eventually recording live performances to evaluate how they managed the pressure of a real audience.

Joe Gonzales is the Accessible Technology Media Coordinator (ATMC) at Moreno Valley College where, as a business instructor, his mission is centered on equity.

Whether he is engaged in producing accessible media formats for individuals with diverse learning and sensory needs, or teaching his Business Management class for Graphics Communications students, Joe’s goal is to ensure every student, regardless of their learning modality or personality type, has an equal footing in the professional world.

"Rarely do you find a person who is totally excited to make a speech in front of people they barely know. The challenge was getting students to move beyond their comfort zone and actually analyze
how they communicate."

Joe Gonzales, Moreno Valley College

How public speaking fear holds back great ideas

In the competitive world of graphic design, a great portfolio isn’t enough. You have to be able to sell your vision to a client or a hiring manager. However, Joe noticed a recurring barrier in the form of presentation anxiety.

Before adopting Genio Present, students lacked a structured way to evaluate their own performance, leaving them to face a number of challenges while relying on low-tech practice methods that offered no
objective feedback.

ICON_PRESENT hourglass

How Moreno Valley College increased students' confidence

Joe integrated Genio Present into his curriculum as a confidence engine.

He deployed the licenses to his cohort, focusing on high-pressure, real-world scenarios. Some example situations he created were:

  • The 30-second commercial: Students had to pitch a product's name, benefits, and call-to-action within a strict 30-second window
  • Entrepreneurial pitches: Developing longer-form presentations to sell a product in a Shark Tank-style setting
  • The elevator pitch: Presenting cover letters and resumes as if they were in a literal elevator with a dream employer
  • Note taking for memory: Joe taught students to use the note taking feature to place "hump markers", short text blurbs that prompted their memory at difficult transition points in their speech.

Witnessing the glow of student confidence

The transformation in student performance was driven by a newfound ability to self-correct using objective data.

One student noted that while being on camera felt awkward at first, the tool was key to becoming more self-aware while another cited the value of feedback and opportunity for repeated practice as critical for a greater confidence when presenting.

Prior to using Genio Present, many students avoided eye contact and appeared unengaged. After working with the tool, Joe observed students walking into the room with visible pride.

He was even able to push his most introverted students to stand at the front of the class and project their voices.

 

 

"I feel more confident. I enjoy being able to review my dialogue throughout the presentation and revise any issues I find."

Student user

Combining technology with human coaching

One of the most powerful outcomes was how Genio Present complemented Joe’s live instruction. While the technology handled the filler words and pacing, Joe was free to focus on other core elements of presentation success such as body language, fidgeting, and mannerisms.

 

 

"Because they had the repetitive practice with Genio, they had the confidence to handle the live crowd energy. By the final presentations, students weren't just rehearsing, they were recording their live performances they could review later to see how they handled the pressure of a real audience."

Joe Gonzales

The future of Moreno Valley College and Genio Present

The impact of Genio Present, through the feedback from Moreno Valley College is clear, students want more time with the tool. Joe is aiming for the tool to be a permanent fixture in the student's toolkit, a reliable 24/7 coach that prepares them for everything from a Zoom interview to a TED Talk.

Empower learners of all abilities thumb

Empower learners of all abilities

Genio is proven to boost student persistence by 11%.

Talk to us about increasing your student retention by improving note taking skills, build lasting communication skills and more.

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