Communication

Effective communication Occurs when the intended meanings of the sender and the perceived meaning of the receiver are the same. Efficient communication Occurs at minimum costs in terms of resources expended time is an important resources in the communication process.

A: understanding communication process sending Encoding Transmission Decoding Receiver/ Responder Source Noise Decoding Transmission Encoding Feedback loop (verification) Figure 1: The communication process

The communication process Source The individual The group Organizational etc. Encoding The process by which the message is translated from an idea or thought into transmittable symbols Transmission Is the process through which the symbols that represent the message are sent to the receiver

Medium Decoding Receiver Is the channel or path through which the message is transmitted Decoding Is the process by which the receiver of the message interprets the message’s meaning Receiver The individual, group, or organization that perceives the encoded symbols and may or not decode them and try to understand the intended message.

Feedback Noise Channel noise Is the process by which the receiver returns a message to that sender that indicates receipt of the message. Noise Any disturbances in the communication process that interferes with or distorts communication Channel noise A disturbance in communication that is due primarily to the medium

Communication problems Root of the problem Type of problem Source Filtering Encoding & Decoding Lack of common experience Semantics jargon Medium problems Receiver Selective attention Value judgment Lack of source credibility Over load Feedback Omission Organizational factors Noise Status differences Time pressures Overload Communication structure

Improving communication process in teaching & learning Focus: Message Question: What idea or thought are you trying to get across? Corrective action: Give more information Give less information Give entire message SENDER

RECEIVER Focus: Message Question: What idea or thought does the sender want you to understand? Corrective action: listen carefully to the entire message, not just to part of it.

Focus: Symbols Question: Does my student use the same symbols, word, jargon. Corrective action: Say it another way Employ repetition Use student’s language Before sending, clarify symbols to be used SENDER

Focus: Symbols Question: What symbols are being using. For example foreign language, technical jargon etc? Corrective action: Clarify symbols before communication begins. Ask questions. Ask sender to repeat message. RECEIVER

Use multiple media, change medium & increase volume (loudness) Focus: Medium Question: Is this a channel that the receiver monitors regularly? Sometime? Never?. Corrective action: Use multiple media, change medium & increase volume (loudness) SENDER

Monitor several media RECEIVER Focus: Medium Question: What medium or media is the sender using Corrective action: Monitor several media RECEIVER

Focus: Feedback Question: What is the receiver’s action to your message? Corrective action: Pay attention to the feedback, especially non verbal question. Ask question. SENDER

Repeat message RECEIVER Focus: Feedback Question: Did you correctly interpret the message. Corrective action: Repeat message RECEIVER

Barriers to effective communication process in teaching& learning Four major elements that can limit the development of effective communication skills People Language Non-verbal behaviour Listening behaviour

People & Perceptions Perception defined as a way we take in information. Each person gathers information differently, problems arise in the way each individual perceptive things and other people. Misunderstandings occur Bec. People differences in their references. References include Past experience Present & future expectations Current motivational state Knowledge Socio cultural background

Effects: Stereotype Denial Halo effect Projection Example: Woman or female student are emotional. Denial We try to protect ourselves from people, situations and ideas that threaten our security. Halo effect The perception of certain characteristics or traits of an individual influencing the way people see other characteristics of that person. This effect can be positive or negative. Projection Occurs when people project their own feelings, motives & desires into their perception of others

Corrective action Self concept Language barrier Self discovery Self disclosure Self fulfilling prophecy Language barrier Alertness By passing Incompletes Levels of abstraction

Non verbal communication Nonverbal messages are stronger than verbal ones. Nonverbal messages clarify verbal messages and they are sent more frequently 3 major divisions of nonverbal communication: Environmental communication – corporate image, time, building design, room layout. Social communication – personal space, status, symbols Physical communication – gesture, facial expressions, eyes, voice, clothing, touch Effective managers are sensitive to what their peers, subordinates and supervisors are non- verbally conveying.

Listening behaviour 5 stage of listening process: receiving, understanding, remembering, evaluating, and responding. Most people are poop listeners because perception and semantic problems interfere with their accurate hearing of what another person says. Listening skills can be improved by the proper construction of mental outlines: Creating an interest in the topic. Constructing a mental outline. Continually reviewing the mental outline. Using key words in the mental outline. Judging between important and unimportant information. Tackling distractions head on.

Figure 2: Communication process Messages barriers Student Lecturer Develop ideas Encode Transmits Receiver Decodes Action Feedback Two way communication Figure 2: Communication process

So listening demands a great deal of concentration and effort. Guideline for effective lists: Stop talking. Put the talker at ease. Show the talker you want to listen. Remove distraction. Empathize with the talker. Be patient. Hold your temper. Go easy on argument and criticism. Ask question.

Successful communication require effective listening (both). Receiver: Must listen to receive and understand the sender’s message. Sender: Must listen to receive and understand the receiver’s feedback. Often “listening” is the weak link in the chain of 2 way communication.