Identifying Important Communication Skills
To me the most important factor when teaching in a diverse learning environment is considering the "what" and "when". I teach in a lecture/practical application setting so it's really important that I am careful not to say too much while I am physically doing things at the same time. It can be very difficult for my students to understand a new concept while they are focusing (for example) on my hands kneading bread. If there is an important point that I need to make while doing such tasks I will always stop the physical part and emphasise the verbal. I also bring my hands up and away from the work so that their attention is refocused away from my hands back on to my face and what I have to say.
What communication skills do you believe are the most important in a diverse learning environment? Why?
I also teach in a culinary lab environment and I agree it can sometimes be difficult to find the"when" time. I have a short power point presentation of important points on history and technique and before each practical demo begins. During the demo I can revisit the technique information showing them what to do as I go along.
Again, I must apply my experiences to the virutal environment. Presentations must be colorul, informative, and draw the eye. Vocal tone must be upbeat and positive. While there are no visible gestures in the virtual environment, there are tools that can be used, i.e. pointers, animated graphics, etc. Finally, understanding how each student learns is quite important in this environment.
Listening is so often overlooked when speaking about communication skills. Many people look at clarity, voice levels, attending behaviors, non-verbals, etc. Often students simply need to be heard with the '3rd ear'. What they are not saying, combined with what they have said, leads you to open dialogue that may have been missed if you weren't keying in with refined listening skills.
Learning to use non-verbal communication in an effective way can help students focus on what is important. One response to this question illustrated the movement of hands to help the student focus on the next important topic. This approach is an important concept for instructors to grasp. If we are to energize students and promote enthusiasm then we must find ways to draw the student into the learning experience. When a students speaks in class, I try to lean in his or her direction. In doing this, the student feels that he or she has my full attention. If the student is shy, this action makes it seem as if we are having a one-on-one conversation and the student may feel more at ease.
As a teacher we are "on stage". If you have had that experience then you know that what you do must capture the audience and hold their interest. Think of the poor performances you have seen. What made them sub-par? What made them different from the performances you liked? Think of teaching as theater in the round where you must engage the audience on all sides. How can you do that? I like the comparison.
On the other hand I also want to include give and take with the class and with individuals. "Props" are a help. I would rather show something than just talk about it, and it keeps me in closer touch with the students. Sometimes getting the students up to look at something, i.e. the skeleton, helps to break the monotony of sitting and listening. In general variety enlivens, monotony destroys. This applies almost across the board, at least in my experience,
Here's what I like to do. I think I am good w/ picking at students w/o going overboard. Or subtly joking about something so to call attention to it and letting the students know that I am constantly observing them.
I totally agree with the need to define what the students needs are in order for them to absorb the content presented.I am a mover throughout my whole classroom using eye contact and conversational engagement with each student.I place my objectives for the class on the board prior to start of class.In this module I learned that pausing between points is essential. I have my students write a review of the class anonymously after each class to hand in so that I am able to adjust the following class to their needs.Sometimes I speak to fast ,sometimes repeat too much --but it is a learning experience as each class is different.I really enjoy the points offered in each of the modules I cover. As instructors we never stop learning !
I think visual communication is very important. It provides something that is the same to all students regardless of language barriers. A smile is a smile in all languages. It doesn't matter how well you lecture, if you're drowning and frowning the entire time students will lose interest.
I believe the most important communication skills are having the ability to break down and explain the information at all levels. Having the ability for the students to "make sense" of the material and almost picture what you are teaching them is very important in a diverse environment.
If a teacher comes across not only as the "person in charge" but also as friendly and approachable, that would certainly make a difference in classroom dynamics. Sometimes one of our best tools to use in our profession is our personality!!!Make it work for you!!
I absolutely agree......nonverbal communication often speaks louder than any words! If students see that an instructor is not afraid to let her (his) hair hang down, so to speak, and demonstrates an open, student friendly, honest and knowledgeable approach to a course, they watch and learn to communicate from example.
I believe one of the most important things any teacher needs to communicate to students, regardless of age/grade level, is that we (the teachers) WANT TO BE THERE!!! The smiles, storytelling, helpful mneumonics & relevant examples are all a part of communicating this essential idea!!
Awareness of cultural issues, attention to individuality and individual needs, the ability to listen to everyone. We are all different, even if we are of the same race, we have differences. Those differences could be something unique and valuable to the entire group.
The ability to speak to individual students needs is very important. As students come from varied backgrounds different styles come into play. Making the lecture into a conversation makes students feel more engaged.
Being able to relate to students wants/needs out of the program they are attending helps direct specific communication skills to their goals. Besides not being to verbal being a hands on communicator is key for the learning environment so to be better relate and engage the student/teacher relationship.
I teach English in a career college and I find that if I slip up and make a grammatical error in a PP presentation or in my speech, it is a detriment. Sure, a simple mistake in speech can be explained by saying I'm tired, or "even I make mistakes." However, making mistakes in a PP presentation (unless done on purpose to illustrate a point), goes against everything I am teaching. I am trying to help them understand that it is important in the work world to be professional, which includes speech and written words.
Karen
There are many skills that are important when addressing a diverse group of learners. You want to be sure that the content is delivered concisely, with detail, and in the proper order. First, you must be concise in your speech. It is important not to confuse the issue with too many extraneous terms and phrases. Also, consider the ordering of the information. You want to present the information in the way that it can be absorbed, step by step, by your listener. Is the order of your presentation best for retention? Finally, offer an example for each item that you intend your students to learn. Providing this detail will help students to develop the concept in their mind.
Primarily our ability to speak/talk has to be right at the top of the list. I do believe listening is critical to successful communication. "Life is a two way street". Our ability to receive messages may be as important as our ability to send them. I also believe that non-verbal communication skills are valuable. In the early part of a new class the student may not have the confidence to be open. Identyfing non-verbal cues help identify progress or non-progress during a class time. Humanity is extremely diverse: Skin tone, language, cultural norms, etc. Yet very often the signals sent such as happiness, sadness, fatigue, confusion may be identified if we observe non-verbal cues. In closing, sharpening observation skills, listening and responding to the students needs more effectively, will help us as instructors.
