Identifying Important Communication Skills
One of the most important communication skills in the IT field is spelling and grammar. In our industry, there is a lot of email communication with customers and it is very important to be able to express issues in a non-threatening, easy-to-understand manner.
What communication skills do you believe are the most important in a diverse learning environment? Why?
I believe speaking slowly and clearly are probably the most important. In addition, increaing the volune of ones voice a notch can also be of benefit.
I believe that body language is the gateway to good communication. An open smile or a nod when receiving proper feedback from students, encourages other students to feel safe.I like the statement "There are no stupid questions only misunderstanding."
communication is a two way street - diversity can be advantageous as it opens up new ways of doing things, thinking about things. The drawback is "noise" which can be semantic obstacles, physical distraction, or misinterpretation of the sender's message. I teach communication skills in an online class and I mention how important clarity is as well as asking for feedback. If we can ask for feedback, we have a way of confirming that our message is being received accurately.
If we are the listener, we should engage in reflective listening where we often repeat what the sender is saying so that we confirm understanding that way.
The most important communication skills in a diverse learning enviornment would be speaking clearly, and building vocabulary. It is also good to use the new terms to create images in the student's mind so it will help them retain the words. Repeating the terms and having the students apply the terms is also important.
Eye contact
voice range
talk fast, talk slow
repeat key points
I feel it is hard for an instructor to identify their own communication skills, or lack thereof.
As an instructor, it is important to listen to your student's and your peer's opinions. We have numerous surveys and observations in our classrooms. From these outside observations you than are able to get a true feeling of what positive traits you have and the communication techniques that you need to develop.
I let others identify my strengths and weaknesses and build from there.
Past evaluations have led me to more roaming around the class room. The only time I sit while in the class, is when students may be presenting. The peer and student evaluations have also taught me to use my voice more effectively and in a volume suitable to the class size.
Easiest way to identify personal communication skills? Ask!
I believe being able to relate real life work experiences along with teaching
I believe in one on ones at least three times for each student in my evening classes works best for me!
Relate the subject to the student in their language and at their level. Clear effective efficient communication...
Because their are many communication skills, I feel the way I instruct my class is a great way to do it, I move about my class during lectures getting eye contact, giving out handouts after the lectures so I can keep students attention, I use the white board, and hands on. I try to cover all of them so I may capture all of my students.
Using memorable examples (either from one's own or the student(s)' personal experiences) can be very effective. Being confident, repeating the information, and movement all are important for being able to instruct the entire class. Nonverbal communication and facial expressions also play a role, because the students directly feed off of them.
I love to write on the board - I list the outline for the class and walk around the class lecturing and watch the light bulbs come on as the students began to understand anatomy / physiology.
Why? this is my juice!! To see that I have connected with my students is pure love!
Then they as me why I left my office manager job at the doctor's office to teach. I have always been a teacher, at my jobs, home, church, my non-profit youth group. I am called to teach and it is my JUICE.
I believe it is important to understand your students and their backgrounds. It is important to talk with your students at the beginning of class and find out about their experience and backgrounds. This sets you up to understand how to relate to them.
Being able to speak the student language is important. Do you have a younger or older class? What lingo do they use and understand? What fields have they worked in and what field lingo do they understand. When speaking their language you show them that you understand them and relate to them on their level.
I feel that the ability to "step back" and be critical about how you are speaking or presenting yourself can be helpful. After class, I always ask myself "Did I talk too fast? - Did I have enough repetition? - Did I look frantic?"
As you can tell from the above paragraph,one of my worst problems is rushing through material too fast. What I don't want is the student to percieve me as being unprepared because I finish the class too early or because I appear frantic.
I try very hard to speak clearly, slow down my sentences, and allow for a couple seconds of space between ideas so that the student "gather" himself or herself. I also try to recap my ideas before moving on to a new point.
Facial expressions..Smiling and making eye contact with your students. I feel that is lets the students know you a present and want to be there for them
I believe that non-verbal communication skills are important.
The old saying: "it's not what you say, but how you say it" applies in the classroom.
I also use alot of eye contact. Those few seconds tell alot about a student and how well they are doing in a diverse learning environment.
Hint's from students tell us how we might be able to gear certain information directly to the student in an indirect way.
The communication of compassion and caring is important in any classroom. Teachers set the tone and the first day is so important in this respect. On ehas to be welcoming and generous of smile. Getting to know students names; body language being open not closed. Showing a sincere interest in all students and ggetting them to talk in open debate and in small groups. And the most important is for the teacher to model listening skills.
