Application: Communication skills in Action. "Communication is a complex and dynamic process. It is "the process by which individuals use symbols,signs, and behaviours to exchange information" (O''Hair and Wiemann, 2015, p.4).
People use communication to express affiliation, achieve specific goals, influence others, and share common experiences. Yet, communication is so much more than oral language; it can be expressed through symbols, non verbal gestures, cultural understandings (and misunderstandings) and even unintentional reactions or expressions.
Some might say that communication is easy - requires great skills in order to promote real understanding among two or more people. To achieve this communication "communication" demands a number of specific skills, including listening and speaking with intent.
The Application this week has two parts.
In Part 1, you will watch the media segment "Communication Skills in Action" and take notes on the communication skills you observe and hear. In part 2, you will analyze what you observed in the media segment and write a summary of your thoughts and reactions.
Part 1. For this Application Assignment, you will watch the media segment "Communication skills in action," which shows a role-play of a meeting between two educators and several family members, who have come together to discuss the issue of extending the school day in their school district.
As you watch this media segment, you will observe a variety of communication skills, both effective and not so effective. Consider the fact that the goal of effective communication is mutual understanding, not just talking, observe and listen closely to the people in the media segment,and take notes while you watch.
Part 2: Considering what you know about communication coming into this course, analyze what you observed in the "Communication Skills in Action" media segment.
Based on your observations, write a paper that answers the following questions:
How well did the people in this meeting communicate with each other? How well did they deal with the issue they were discussing? Which communication skills stood out to you as effective, and why?
Give specific examples. Which were not effective? Why? Give specific examples.
What could the people in the video have done to improve the ways in which they communicated with others in the meeting and/or to foster more effective communication within the group?
Based on your thoughts and ideas inspired by this media segment, what would you like to learn about communication in this course that will help you to be more effective in all types of professional situations?