Blog Week 4

For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life.

I was very happy this week that there were many similarities between how I evaluated myself as a communicator and how others evaluated me. I tested the same in verbal aggressiveness scale assessment across the board. It said I scored moderate, that I am able to maintain good balance between respect and consideration for others. That was pretty cool and surprised me that it was just not my opinion that this was true but from the other two people evaluated me.

This week I learned about first impressions and jumping to conclusions based on what I see and not what I know. This week for the discussion we had to look at the random picture that was provided and answer personal questions about this person based solely on the picture. It was an interesting assignment but I did not like it. I did not like guessing what kind of person they were without knowing anything about her. But I understand that everyone does this on a daily basis, even myself. We all have looked at someone and judged them without even knowing anything about them. I have learned that I would not want to be judged out of context and that I should not do this to others. This will help me in my professional work and personal life. I will be more open and excepting of others. I will come into contact with many different people in my professional life and sometimes life happens and we do not always make the best first impressions. It is important to get to know a person before making any rash judgements.

The second insight I have learned about communication this week is that a lot goes into it!  We have verbal and nonverbal communication. We can all have different listening styles some are people oriented others time oriented. We all have different levels of aggression in our communication. Are you pushy and use insults to get your way, a people pleaser and never like to get in to disagreements, or do you maintain a good balance between the two. We all have different levels of comfort talking in groups or even one-on-one with people we do not know. These all have to do with your personal schemas. It is vital to understand your strengths and weaknesses in regards to communication.  This will help me in my professional and personal life because in everyday life you communicate with people even when you do not intend to. It is important to be a good competent communicator.

Brandie

EDUC: 6165 Wk. 3 Blog

Think about the cultural diversity you see in your colleagues at school, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, and also, possibly, within your family. Consider all the aspects that make up culture, including race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, varying abilities, and so on.

• Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
• If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

Based on what you have learned this week, share at least three strategies you could use to help you communicate more effectively with the people or groups you have identified.

If I was to think back to everyone I talked to or encountered today I would find differenced in the way I communicated with them. I talk differently to the cashier who is ringing up my purchases compared to a friend I have known for many years.  “Social rules of interaction provide a predictable pattern or structure to social episodes and give relationships a sense of coherence. Most of the time, people are not even consciously aware of the rules that govern a social episode until they are broken. These rules are connected with social roles; a set of expected behaviors that is associated with people in a particular position...The role that one takes in a particular social episode strongly prescribes how we are expected to act “(Vuckovic, 2008, p. 4-5). I communicate differently with people I do not know. I am more reserved and respectful. I am still respectful with people I know but more open and carefree in my communication.

“Strangers, people different from us, stir up fear, discomfort, suspicion, and hostility. They make us lose our sense of security just by being ‘other’”. (Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, 2001, p. 1). Three strategies to utilize when communicating with others is to remember that it is important to remember that different is not wrong. That we live in a diverse world and it is vital to understand our own culture and those around us to be able to communicate more effectively. The final strategy is to use the Platinum Rule. “Do to others as they themselves would like to be treated” (Beebe et al., 2001, p. 14). This means put yourself in their shoes. Do not treat them as you want to be treated, treat them as they want to be treated.

Brandie

References

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2001). Interpersonal communication and diversity: Adapting to others. In Allyn & Bacon (Eds.), Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed. (pp. 85-114). Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201640_02/MS_MECS/EDUC_6165/Week%203/Resources/Resources/embedded/beebe_ch4.pdf

Vuckovic, A. (2008). Inter-cultural communication: A foundation of communicative action. Multicultural Education and Technology Journal, 2(1), 47-59. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201640_02/MS_MECS/EDUC_6165/Week%203/Resources/Resources/embedded/vuckovic2008.pdf

EDUC: 6165 Blog Wk. 2

For this assignment, again consider what you have been learning about communication skills and styles. Then record an episode of a television show you do not normally watch. Watch the show with the sound turned off.

·         What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?

·         What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?

Now, watch the show with the sound turned on.

·         What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?

·         Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?

Write about your experience in your blog, including what you learned about communication from this experience and insights or "aha" moments you believe would be helpful to your colleagues.

For this assignment I watched an episode of Dora the Explorer, my Daughter loves the show. She was a little angry that we at first had to watch it without sound. But she soon helped me as we tried to figure out what going on. It was interesting that we were still able to figure most of the show with the gestures and nonverbal ques without sound. It was a very fun assignment and a great learning experience. It made me really watch what the characters were doing and what was going on around them. My daughter and I had fun laughing and trying to figure out what was happening in the show. We were pretty close on when we watched the show with sound. I am planning on trying this again on an “adult” show to see how it compares to the children’s show and how well we were able to figure out what was happening.

It was so interesting to learn about nonverbal communication. I really never thought about how unplanned and spontaneous it really was. "Many times nonverbal communication is spontaneous and unintentional. We roll our eyes, laugh, slouch, or blush without meaning to. And our nonverbal behaviors can send powerful, unintended messages without us having much time to think through them" (O’Hair, Wiemann, Mullin, & Teven, 2015, p. 95). You really don’t think I’m going to laugh now or give that person a hug. It is something that you just do. It is vital to pay attention not only what people are saying but also what they are not saying, their nonverbal cues.

Brandie

References

O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J. (2015). Real communication an introduction (3 ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

EDUC: 6165 Blog Week 1

For your blog this week, think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?

When I think of someone who is demonstrates competent communication within a particular context it is my mom, she can talk to comfortable and respectful to anybody. What I believe makes her so effective is she really listens and makes eye contact when she speaks to someone. She listens and repeats back what they have been saying when she responds. She has a way of making you feel comfortable and before you know it you have shared your whole life story with her:o) I would love to model some of my own communication behaviors after my mom. I get nervous when I have to speak to a person I do not know and I really do not like speaking in front of a large crowd. I do it on a semi-regular basis being the PTA president at my sons elementary school. I would like to be able to communicate with others with the ease that she does. Competent communication is vital when working with children and families, you need to not only communicate effectively with parents and children but also with your colleagues. 

 My husband, mom, and nieces getting ready to watch a movie!

Brandie