Communication in the Classroom

Jane Patton, Ed. D. Communication Studies Faculty

Your typical class. . .

First 5 min.
____ ____ ____ Conclusion

Instruction depends upon communication

Your communication Students communication --with you & classmates

Class climate

Help

Hurt

Kinds of classroom communication

Presentations, lectures
Group work Interpersonal Intercultural

Tips for Effective Presentations

Know your audience Express ideas clearly & explicitly Check audiences listening skills Gain & keep attention Be well organized & prepared Use visual aids effectively

Remember messages are verbal, visual and vocal

Effective visual aids

Can be understood in 6 seconds Anchor listeners to the key concepts Do not put audience in reading mode Enhance (aid) your verbal & vocal messages
C. Hamilton

Benefits of visual aids

Improves memory

Speeds comprehension
Decreases presentation time Adds to speakers credibility Decreases nervousness Adds interest
C. HAMILTON

Audience Recall
Verbal only Visual only Verbal and Visual After 3 hours After 3 days
C. HAMILTON

70% 10%

72%
20% 85% 65%

Don McMillan
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus eaction=vids.individual&videoID=15296 37984
Or google: Life after Death by PowerPoint

Group Communication Skills

(students need to learn them)
Speak clearly & succinctly Encourage others to speak Dont monopolize Listen well; paraphrase Stick to topic/task Human relations skills

Interpersonal Communication
Listen; give attention Paraphrase & summarize Define terms

Build rapport; trust

Show empathy; respect Remember messages are verbal, visual,
vocal

Class Climates (Gibb categories)

DEFENSIVE 1. Evaluation 2. Control 3. Strategy SUPPORTIVE 1. Description 2. Problem Orientation 3. Spontaneity

4. Neutrality
5. Superiority 6. Certainty

4. Empathy
5. Equality 6. Provisionalism

Intercultural Principles
Successful comm. depends upon shared meanings.

Cultural patterns: the groups collective beliefs, values,

norms

Ones culture & language affects ones cognition & learning Native language affects ones world view, beliefs, etc. Different cultural practices in education Differences continuum: minor to major.

Self Reflection Activity

Our Challenge:
To model and teach effective communication in our classrooms