Tips for an effective JAM (Just A Minute) Session and JAM Topics for Students

 Tips for an effective JAM (Just A Minute) Session and Topics for Students

JAM (Just A Minute) is an effective activity that aims to let students showcase their Oral Communication Skills in front of a crowd. It is an activity that requires students to prepare in advance (If the topics are given before) or talk on the spot instantly on a given topic. 

This activity tests the students on various levels such as - their preparation, the content of the topic given/ chosen, arrangement and delivery of the content logically, relatability with the audience, grammar, vocabulary, the loudness of the voice and the voice modulation, non-verbal communication like facial expressions, head nods, eye-contact, hand gestures and the standing postures, proper examples, usage of famous quotes/ phrases/ sayings, and the time management. 

Some of the important points students need to keep in mind to give an effective JAM: 

• Gather enough content from various sources like books, the internet, magazines, and newspapers, or by talking to experts/ people about their opinion on a topic.

• Write down/ jot down some important points/ numbers/ years/ facts etc. (Because you can't simply tell some random things on a public platform, so be very clear with the facts/ history.)

• Prepare well and practice (possibly in front of a life-size mirror or in front of your friends/ family/ peers/ classmates) before going to the stage. (Preparation can boost your confidence levels and you will not have stage fear/ fear of the public/ crowd)

• Learn to talk without any notes in your hands. (It is possible only when you practice well)

• Go confidently to the stage and just focus on the topic and the points you have to deliver. Do not be bothered or disturbed by the people in front of you.

• Be serious enough and do not smile or laugh.

• Maintain eye contact with the audience so that they feel involved in your talk. Do not look at the floor, chairs, lights, roof etc.

• Start with a question which will grab the attention of your audience into thinking and actively participating and answering your question.

• Start with a quote/ saying/ a short story that is relevant to your topic.

• Tell it like a story and don't bore your audiences. You must learn the art of storytelling to convince your audience to your point of view on the topic.

Some of the most common topics for JAM for Students:

(I will keep updating the list with new topics, so feel free to check this space regularly)

1. The Impact of Academic Stress on Students' Mental Health
2. Hashtag Heroes: Using Social Media to make a difference
3. Do video games encourage violence? 
4. The impact of India being the most populous country in the world.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Future of Mankind.
6. The Effects of Government Freebies on the Indian Economy
7. Is China a threat to the Indian software industry?
8. Pros and cons of a Borderless World.
9. Health, Wealth or Fame? Which is more important? or Which gives more happiness?
10. Should Schools and Colleges give more importance to extracurricular activities?
11. Brain Drain
12. Has Reliance Jio changed the telecom sector of India?
13. Money spent on Space Exploration - is it necessary or can the money better be used on reducing poverty on Earth?
14. Is e-Learning becoming a substitute for traditional (classroom) learning?
15. Does the National Education Policy 2020 address the real issues of our existing education system?
16. Possibility of Living on Mars
17. The Rise of Social Media Influencers
18. Gender gap in STEM
19. AI and Big Data: Changing the Landscape of Modern Business
20. Impact of ChatGPT on students
21. Is India ready for a Cashless Economy?
22. Startup Culture: Are they just a trend in India?
23. Impact of Startup India initiative by the Government of India
24. Impact of Atmanibhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) initiative by the Government of India.
25. Is the Atmanibhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) initiative by the Government of India yielding any positive results?
26. OTT Platforms and the Future of Cinema Theatres in India
27. The Impact of OTT Platforms on the Entertainment Industries
28. Theatre experience or OTT experience, which is better?
29. Life during Covid-19
30. Life Lessons from the experiences of Covid-19 and the lockdowns
31. Importance of health consciousness in people after the Covid-19 pandemic
32. Did the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic make our human relationships stronger?
33. Women empowerment
34. Domestic Violence
35. Female sportspersons
36. Breaking the stereotypes by strong women who ventured into the men-dominated fields
37. Importance of Education
38. Importance of Education for Girls
39. Importance of Self-esteem
40. Importance of 'Being Positive' in Life
41. The One Change I Desire in the Indian Education System
42. Creativity or Knowledge - Which is more important?
43. The Art of Storytelling
44. Innovation or Invention - Which is more important?
45. Pros and Cons of Online Education
46. Pros and Cons of Offline (Traditional) Education
47. Impact of Social Media on Youth
48. Impact of Films/ Cinema on Youth
49. Importance of Values in Society
50. School Life vs College Life
51. Is there a need to ban Animal Testing?
52. A healthy family nurtures healthy citizens
53. Is the Vision of Space Exploration interrupting the Solution of Poverty on Earth?
54. Should Children Learn Coding?
55. The rise of OTT Platforms during COVID-19 and the future of Cinema Theatres
56. Has Online Education been effective for students during COVID-19?
57. Should India come up with Educational Qualifications for Politicians?
58. Do brands rule our lives? / Impact of brands on our life.
59. Sustainable Living as a step towards Saving Earth
60. Animal Sacrifice - is it justifiable?
61. Minimalism and its limitations
62. The best day of my life
63. My favourite actor/ politician/ sportsperson/ musician/ artist/ singer/ director/ fictional hero/ onscreen hero/ social media influencer/ YouTuber/ writer/ lyricist/ freedom fighter/ social worker/ CEO/ entrepreneur/ etc.
64. My Role Model
65. Is the Internet curbing our creativity?
66. Use of Technology in Social Movements (eg: #Metoo/ #BlackLivesMatter
67. Are serial killers born or made?
68. What difference can Education make in our lives?