I show the students how effective nonverbal communication is and how easily it can be misread. I try to illustrate to them by using volunteers the way that messages can be misinterpreted just by their tone as well as their body language. In the cosmetology field you must have effective communication skills to communicate with the clients and fulfill their needs so in order for them to succeed they must continuously work on communication.
Gail,
I like how you give examples of errors. This really bring attention to what we do need to look at.
Shelly Crider
Shari,
You are so right! Communication can be your break into international work or working at a local retail store!
Shelly Crider
Navinthran,
This is a great example and you are right about out of sight, out of mind!
Shelly Crider
As a teacher in the medical field I give them examples of possible errors in communication that can cost a person their health. I also have them practice communication skills amoungst themselves for clarity. Often times we may think we are communicating perfectly clear, yet the person on the receiving end does not understand what is being communicated. This works both in verbal exercises as well as in written.
Communication goes beyond just what we say but into how we say and even the body language used during a conversation. The majority of misunderstanding occur not because of what is being said but because of how it is being said. Therefore, communication can either make or break your career progress!
Specific to the classes I teach which is music and specific to the entertainment industry I explain that communication is the key to getting anything done. Without good and constant communication there will be absolutely no progress and you will not be remembered. As the quotation goes, "out of sight, out of mind."
Edward,
Customers do think you can read their mind, so knowing what to ask is very important!
Shelly Crider
I teach the students that effective communication
with the customer is the first step in a proper troubleshooting process when trying to diagnose and repair their product. Knowing what questions to ask is always important.
Rachel,
It is good to respond with gentle corrections. In today's society, texting and twittering have really taken a toll on language!
Shelly Crider
It all comes down to professionalism. This is highly stressed at my institution of higher learning. Using street or slang terms are completely unacceptable in a professional environment.
I make certain that I use appropriate language during work and if students do not then I ask them to restate the question or statment in a professional manner. Gentle corrections is what I try to strive for.
A reminder if it is not corrected in the classroom chances of a student doing it in the field externship or on the job are higher. This makes them less attractive to potential employers.
Andrea brings up a very important topic for the 21st century learner. Effective communication can make or break a a deal and can be costly to a company or project. Teaching a student to communicate effectively involves pertinent vocabulary for the career field as well.
I agree with Kim. In the workplace now there are so many with the same qualifications. You need an edge and an effective communicator will have that edge.
Keegan,
This is an excellent post. Sometimes just emphasizing a topic does not actually sink into the students, but anedotes and experience give students a clear view.
Shelly Crider
Lauren,
Communication IS key! I am so glad you you put it out there first and foremost!
Shelly Crider
In the field I teach there is a lot of direct client interaction. I try to emphasis that as a professional, a big part of their job is getting the client to understand their process and this is done with effecting communication skills. I give anecdotes of my own and my colleagues experiences where communicating well with a client resulted in getting repeat business over another professional who was less adept in their communication.
The first day of class I explain to all my students that communication is key. I explain to them that school is like a job, if they are going to be absent or late they need to make the school aware (our school policy is to contact students that don’t show up for school to help with retention) when they contact the school, that’s one less student I need to track down.
I also stress the importance of getting work in by deadlines. I think the biggest thing that my students need to master is time management. In my typing classes there are always handfuls of students that are always behind in their typing lessons. I even created a lesson dealing with time management in my typing classroom.
David,
Oh so true especially when customers do not really know what they need!
Shelly Crider
at our technical school we can show that communication skill is key in explaining to a customer what repairs would be needed and explaining the operation of systems to a vehicle owner to help build their trust in the technician
Katessa,
I agree! Students do come in to some classes already feeling good or bad about what they know on the subject...English and Math are the two big ones!
Shelly Crider
