WHAT IS COMMUNICATION AID?

Communication aid are also referred to as AAC devices. AAC refers to AUGMENTATIVE and
ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION, which is defined as, a huge range of techniques which
support or replace spoken communication.
There are a broad range of AAC devices, these include gesture, signing, symbols, word boards,
communication boards, and books, as well as, Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs)
EXAMPLES OF COMMUNICATION AID
Charts with pictures, symbols, letters or symbols.
Simple single message voice output devices
Applications that run on tables and mobile phones
Complex dedicated communication devices including a range of access options such as joystick,
switch and eye gaze.
WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION AID
To help people to solve communicative challenges in a limited number of situations. Some of the
individuals need to rely more heavily on AAC DEVICES due to physical disabilities, medical
complications or other speech and language disabilities that limit how much speech they are able
to produce.
UNAIDED COMMUNICATION
Unaided communication does not use any additional equipment, only uses body language,
gestures, vocalizations and signs.
AIDED COMMUNICATION
Aided communication uses equipment and this can range from low-tech to hi-tech methods
and often use pictures and symbols instead of, or together with words
LOW – TECH
Refers to communication aids like printed books, printed images, pen and notebooks, and
blackboard/whiteboards
HIGH – TECH
This communication method refer to use of Digital and Electronic devices such as
computers, smartphones, speakers and projectors.
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES WITH THE USE OF TOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY
WHAT IS COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES?
Communication strategies can be verbal, non-verbal and visual. Integrating all the
strategies together will allow you to see the most success. This allows a business to meet
employee needs and increase workplace knowledge.
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
The use of words or vocals (written or oral) to give and receive information from one
another.
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Non-verbal communication strategies consist mostly of visual cues, such as body language,
facial expressions, physical distance between communicators, and/or the tone of your voice
VISUAL COMMUNICATION
Visual communication strategies can be seen through signs, webpages, and illustrations.
Examples: Infographic, printed images, posters, signs, and drawing.
USING TOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY
MULTIMEDIA
A multimedia is a form of communication that integrates text, images, animation, audio,
and video in both traditional and digital form.
TRANSPARENCY
Transparencies are clear acetate pages displayed by an overhead projector during a
speech. Examples: Flip chart, whiteboards/chalkboards, document, camera hand outs,
models, and sound recordings.
VIDEO
Is an electronic medium for the recording, copying playback, broadcasting, and display of
moving visual media.
SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCTION AID
Is an electronical, mechanical, electronic, or digital inscription and re-creation of sound waves,
such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects.
CULTURE is perceived as the summation of values, beliefs and behaviours from a group of
individuals having a shared history of verbal and nonverbal cues. The cultural, micro-cultural
and environmental contexts surround the communicators, whose socio-relational context is
defined by the exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages are encoded and decoded within each
interactant’s perceptual context”. James Neuliep (2006).
CULTURE is also associated with geography like Saudi Arabia for instance which is considered
hot and a desert contrary to Siberia which is labelled as mountainous and cold. James Neulip
(2016) explains, “But culture is more a human phenomenon than a geographic one. And while
geography certainly affects how people live within a particular culture, the people, more than a
geography, are what constitute culture. So, when you think of culture, think of people. That
being said, it is also important to understand that cultures of people are not static, but rather
dynamic. This means that cultures change; they are fluid, always moving.

Low ---------------------------------------------------------------High

CULTURE may be low and high which demonstrates the magnitude and degree of how a person
affiliates the self. There is no such thing as a pure individualistic of collectivistic culture.

GLOBALIZATION is not the only thing influencing events in the world today. It may be seen
as an interconnectedness of economic relationships, political units as well as digital networks.
Such technology and other social networks have transformed the economic and social
relationships breaking cultural barriers. Hence, cultural and civic discourse will mold
information and communication technologies.
COMMUNICATION can be a challenging activity because of the highly pluralistic nature of
the people participating in the communication process. Each participant may differ in cultural,
social and biological backgrounds, which are all critical factors to effective and successful
intercultural communication.
WHAT IS CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION?
It’s about dealing with people from other cultures in a way that reduces any misunderstandings
and helps to build good relationships. Some of the differences between people can be:
Age
Gender
Culture
Language
Religion
Countries
Values
Customs
HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR CROSS CULTURAL CMMUNICATION SKILLS?
Listen carefully to what the speaker is saying
Asks polite questions to help you understand their message
Speak a little bit more slowly to help the listener
Understand your message
Write down your message
Be supportive and encouraging
Be careful if you use humour
Avoid using slang
1. CHALLENGES OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
It has become a widespread notion that speakers’ use of different languages results in
intercultural miscommunication and misunderstanding. As Scollon and Scollon (1995) state:
When we are communication with people who are very different from us, it is very difficult to
know how to draw inferences about what they mean, and so it is impossible to depend on shared
knowledge and background for confidence in our interpretation (p.22)
2. FORMS OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
a. INTERRACIAL COMMUNICATION – communicating with people from different races
b. INTERETHNIC COMMUNICATION – interacting with people of different ethnic origin
c. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION – communicating between representatives from
different nations.
d. INTRACULTURAL COMMUNICATION – interacting with members of the same racial or
ethnic group or co-culture.
According to Gamble and Gamble (2008), communication style among cultures differs, it may
be high context or low-context communication.
HIGH-CONTEXT COMMUNICATION is a tradition-linked communication system which
adheres strongly to being indirect. LOW-CONTEXT COMMUNICATION is a system that
works on straightforward communication.
HIGH-CONTEXT CULTURES (Meditteranean, Slav, Central European, Latin American,
African, Arab, Asian, American-Indian) leave much of the message unspecified, to be
understood through context, nonverbal cues, and between the lines interpretation of what is
actually said. By contrast, LOW CONTEXT CULTURES (most Germanic and English-
speaking countries) expect messages to be explicit and specific.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-multicultural-communication-strategies-enhance-tatyana-
fittipaldi
3. IMPROVING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE
The following guidelines may help you enhance your ability to communicate effectively across
cultures (Gamble & Gamble, 2008):
1. Recognize the validity and differences of communication styles among people.
2. Learn to eliminate personal biases and prejudices.
3. Strive to acquire communication skills necessary in a multicultural world.
FLEXIBLE TEACHING LEARNING MODALITY (FTLM) ADOPTED
Online (synchronous)
Edmodo, google classroom and schoology
Remote (asynchronous)
References:
Tejada, K.C M., Valdez, M. L A., Sapungan, R. M. (2020). Purposive Communication; A
module. Batangas State University.
https://youtu.be/xJBgqW9-lzc?si=x8FdeJ2Wk38Waids