Developing Your Communication Skills
practice ,practice practice
There are different methods to refine communication skills as well define each content to be taught, always start with something that will motivate students, be specific and selective with the information you want to convey, extraverbal use language properly, maintain eye contact students
I make an effort to be relaxed and comfortable at all times while communcating with students. This style seems to help them remain relaxed as well.
I too adapt my lectures to different types of learners. I use PPT for those who learn visually, lecture for those who learn by auditory means, and hands on items for those who learn by doing/touch. I also utilize the students and their experiences, as well as my own experiences, to help them and other students learn.
What are some methods you can use to develop and refine your communication skills?
Practice for one, and then I also watch and listend to other instructors and how they handle their communication with their students and then I will try some of them with mine.
Developing good communication skills begins with knowing the subject matter well and having a good plan of delivery. When the instructor is confident in his/her knowledge, the focus can then shift to presentation. As veteran educator,it has been my experience that if I am not comfortable with the content, my presentation skills are not at their best.
Keep practicing repeatedly. Practice make PERFECT!!!
I follow up with my students about topics I've covered and see how they interprut the information..
Hi Angelica! Thanks for your observations. I think that a hurdle that we all cross as instructors is trying to provde too much information as opposed to creating an interactive learning environment where students comprehend, retain and apply the key points they must know and the key applications they need to perform.
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
Doing research on the subject that you are to teach and see how many ways that you can define the same concept. As an instrutor need to be able to explain the concept to 18, 40, even 60 year old students to they all understand.
In developing my communication skills I have listened without judgement whether students are talking about something personal or their own medical experience. I ask for help when I need it. When I started out as a new instructor I knew I could improve. I always provided extra information to students because I thought the more they know the better I am. In reality it was such an overload for them. After a couple of modules I understood that providing key points and reviewing from the day before the next day would help students retain more. I also taught them how to listen and not always jump to respond.
i need to slow down on my lecture and allow the students time to take their notes and get their learning back on track.
Many times, I will ask the students if I have made the points clear. I always have them come to the board and work out problems, and many times I will have another student come and assist their fellow students. Then we will take turns in pairs of the board.
Many times I just go and sit between the students and/or next to them to assist with math problems.
I try to maneuver around the room to assist and ask or answer questions. This seems to relax the students.
I have learned, over the years, to slow down and write most if not all the lead topics or points of interest on the board.
I also will have the students take note cards, and I assist them in developing the note cards. This is not only for my class, but also others.
I think that being aware of how you communicate and routinely taking the time to assess your communication skills is where one would start. Then intentionally deciding areas or ways one could communciate more effeciently and try them out to see how it works for you. Discussing ideas with other teachers and what works for them is a way of expanding a diversity of techniques that you might use.
Gary,
Excellent starting questions. I will begin incorporating them into my teaching. Thanks.
Sarah,
Excellent exercise. I may have to "steal" it for some of my classes.
Thanks for sharing,
John
As just about everyone has stated: practice-practice-practice.
But, in addition to that, presentations go better when instructors are familiar with and therefore comfortable presenting their material.
When presenting new material or using a new text, it is up to the instructor to become familiar with ALL of the material before going before the class. In that way, the instructor can anticipate questions and be ready for them, know the areas that will be harder or more easily proesented, and focus their attention on the students instead of the presentation materials. The class will flow and students will gain a security in the instructor's ability to convey information.
