The communication skills I believe are the most important are those of verbal and non-verbal. Utilizing verbal skills allows one to deliver the message but sometimes implementing non-verbal skills can enhance the message.
As an instuctor, I would like to improve in slowing down my lectures to where I am not talking so fast in trying to cramp every detail in.
I am a speey talker too. I don't even have to be nervous to talk fast. I am aware of the issue and have worked towards slowing down. My students like to tell me to slow down at times.
The communication skills I would like to work on is to be able to quickly identify which students are not understanding the material, so that I can allow them time to ask questions and get an understanding. I also find that I tend to talk fast. I don't have to be nervous to do it either. It just happens.
Make sure you are speaking with concise and accurate words so that your students will fully understand. As for myself i make sure that i review my key points of discussion so that i am better prepard for my students. I also make it a habit to move around more and make more direct eye contact with my students.
Glenn
I believe the most important communication skills in the learning environment to be: 1) Personnalizing communication with the student(s); 2) Setting an example for appropriate communicaiton skills; 3) Viewing and communication with each student in a direct and positive manner. Additionally, by setting an example in using correct pronunciation of words and appropriate gestures, students have an opportunity to see more clearly exactly how communication works.
As an instructor, I would like to entirely eliminate my use of the word "uh" when pausing during lecture. I attempt help my students (in Public Speaking class) to recognize when they use innappropriate "pause words," but I realize that I am guilty of this often.
I think the ability to guide the discussion without hesitation is key in maintaining the students attention, if the students have reason to converse amongst themselves during your lecture then the effectiveness of your delivery will be lost to idle chit chat.
I believe many communication skills are important in a diverse learning environment. It is important that the teacher's voice be loud enough to be heard by all students, but not harsh. It is important to project authority and confidence as well as enthusiasm. It is also important to realize the importance of non-verbal communication. For example, facial expressions and gestures can completely negate what a teacher is trying to say.
I have a very Short time with my Student's,
1 hour and 45 min and 3 groups of over 20 back to back with only 15 min brakes.
They have 2 other classes each day plus most of them work. Depending on what time they come to me
communication is very different. That is hard to get used to. I like to be able to get to the subject of the day faster.
I am thinking of groups for my next section from what I see in this study.
I like to change things up a bit by telling little side stories related to the subject of discussion or something related to the dish that we are preparing for that day. The outcome is surprizing well as it increases more participation with the class as they can relate to what you're talking about. This makes teaching fun and exciting. Through experience i feel that this method is one of the keys to keep them interested because you're speaking from experience and trying to make it up as you go through the lecture.
Glenn
All communication skills are important. Verbal and body language skills are equally important. When you possess a strong confident voice, you will engage your students. I typically move around the front of the room when I lecture so I can capture my students attention. I also utilize the students' communication skills. It is very important for the students to participate. This technique keeps them actively engaged throughout the lecture and I find that they love to demonstrate their knowledge. It helps build their confidence. I believe that I use power point as my safety net and would love to use it less. I enjoy teaching labs because I am able to talk about the procedure without any reference material. My goal is to use power points for key points of the lecture so students have an outline to, but eventually make them less detailed.
I think that one of the most important communication skills is the ability to look at the presentation and material from the student perspective, to be able to boil it down to the "so what" of what you are telling them. One of my weaker points as an instructor is a tendency to talk too fast. I have to deliberately pause and look at the students to be sure that I am not going too fast.
From a teaching perspective, I think a clear and evenly paced verbal delivery style, with appropriate silent pauses, is the most important communication skill for a diverse (or any) learning environment. I remember when I was first starting out as a instructor, I spoke loudly, but too quickly. I was unaware of my own delivery, but very aware of the confused look I would often see on my students faces. Being quite dismayed and seeking guidance, I observed a more experience lecturer teaching the very same students I had (in a different course). I noticed right away that the more experienced lecturer spoke much more slowly than I did and ennunciated better. I did not see any confused looks, despite the difficulty of the material. The next day I tried speaking slower and taking more mini-pauses. I noticed from that day forth, that the amount of times I saw confused faces dropped dramatically. What a difference pacing can make.
The communication skill I personally would like to improve is to become a better storyteller, using analogies, non-verbal gestures, and enthusium to hold the attention of the students, and spark their own interests. I am dealing with material that is difficult to relate to their future careers, being a general education course, and often times I lose their attention because of this. I know that I can hold them in sometimes, I just wish to be able to do this at will anytime I need to.
While teaching, I often use manipulatives or handouts that are not just information on paper. My handouts are fun things that students like to complete. These can be anything from cartoons to crossword puzzles. As we go through the class, I make it a point to call attention to the information related to the handout so each student can complete their handout. Thus reinforcing that particular point.
For me, it is often helful to relate the medical concept I am talking about to something that a lot of people have had experience with. I compare an anurysm in a blood vessel to the places on a bike inner tube where the rubber is a little week so they ballon out and are when the leak usually occurs. Once students catch that there is a understandable explaination for the way the body workds, it makes learning easier.
I am very fortunate, I have taught since I was a TA at Purdue in Biology every semester at least one college or graduate class for 36 years. I have no problem standing up in front of a class. This also assisted me when I ran for office many years ago in Ohio with public speaking.
Typically, I will shake each student's hand as they come into the class the first time and greet them.
I will many times, during the class, as the students how they are doing or if they need assistance with their work. I also provide my personal and office emails and phone numbers to assist them with absenses and homework questions.
Eye contact has not be a problem for me every.
It has taken me a while to think about this question. Communication in the classroom is a little like throwing a ball and playing catch.
The student must be prepared physically, intellectually and emotionally to catch what the teacher is sharing or "the information that is being throwing out there." If the teacher shows up for class early and spends a little time finding out what frame of mind the students are for this day, the teacher may need to adjust how or when the "ball is thrown" so the students are able to "catch the information." Students may have issues or concerns that inhibit them from being able to focus on the course content for the day. Assessment of the learner and the context in which the learning is to take place would be an important step in the communication process. I think this is an area I would like to improve--"checking out the landscape" before I jump in and start class activities. "What ball park am I in today, who am I playing ball with today, and is everybody ready to play?" This includes an assessment of myself as a teacher. So, I see myself as needing to "stop, look and listen" before I start.
From a teaching perspective, I believe knowing the cultural background of your students is key to communicating effectively in a diverse learning environment. The example given in the module about eye contact, for instance, demonstrates how a little probing can go a long way. This can be accomplished on the first day of class by having the students introduce themselves and give a little bit of their background.
As an instructor, I personally need to work on listening and being able to feedback the information/questions to my students. I have a bad habit of thinking about my response while trying to listen. I need to focus more on what my students are saying, then provide thoughtful feedback.
I think the verbal and non-verbal are the most important skills in the teaching environment.
It is not only what you say, but how you say it and the body language you exhibit when speaking that convays the message to students. Students watch your tone and posture to see how you really feel about the material your are presenting.
Yes, movement is important to keep the attention focused on you, the instructor and the points you are trying to make, but students today, listen as much to how you say something as to what you say.
From my perspective, I would most like to polish my delivery skills, as far as timiming and the pause when presenting important points for consideration.
I believe verbal skills are one of the most important communication skills. However, communication is second behind identifying the student's learning styles first. Identifying the learning style first will help the instructor decide on how he or she is going to communicate the subject matter to the student. I believe that i would like to improve on my overall presentation skills.If i have a class of 30 students,I want to be able to reach all 30. Improving on my overall presentation will help insure this.
