EDUC: Blog Wk. 8

I would like to thank my fellow classmates and Dr. Pickens for making these last 8 weeks so much fun and interesting. I really enjoyed reading your discussions and blog posts. I loved being able to read everyone’s different takes on the same subject and questions. I have really learned a lot from this course and I know I will utilize this new knowledge about communication in future endeavors. I wish everyone luck as they continue on their journeys for their Master’s Degrees and hope to see you all in future courses.

Thank you again for making this course so enjoyable,

Brandie

EDUC: 6165 Week 6

For your blog this week, complete the following activity:

This week you read about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in which you have been involved. Think about which aspects of the groups made for the hardest good-bye. Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? Groups with the clearest established norms? Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced? How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

            I think the hardest groups to leave are the ones with the clearest established norms. The groups that I participated in that were the hardest to leave were the groups that I really connected with the group members. During the forming, storming, norming, and performing stages we cohesively worked together to complete our goal and when we reached the adjourning stage it was bitter sweat. “In the "adjourning" stage the project is coming to an end and the team members are moving off into different directions. This stage looks at the team from the perspective of the well-being of the team rather than from the perspective of managing a team through the original four stages of team growth” (Abudi, 2010, p. 4). People who reach stage four usually end up becoming friends and staying in touch even though the project has ended.

            One of the hardest groups that I had end that we made it through to the fourth stage was when I joined a Relay for Life Team. It was such a wonderful experience and the lady’s that were on my team we are still friends to this day. We all instantly clicked. We met at least once a month to go over our strategies for raising money for such a wonderful cause and set goals for ourselves to reach, we had such fun doing it. It also had one of the best closing rituals every. For relay we raise money throughout the months and the final meeting is an event where we as a team decorate a popup tent with the theme and we walk the track. The event goes from 6pm Friday to noon on Saturday and the goal is to have at least one team member walking the track for the whole event. They had themed laps and gave prizes to motivate you to continue walking throughout the night. For my team we decided we all would stay up all night walking the track. We had fun laughing, crying and at times just being silly. It was the perfect ending to our hard work and we made plans to do it again the following year.

            I think that I will be happy when I adjourn from the group of colleagues I have formed while working on my master's degree in this program because I will have completed my goal of earning my Master’s Degree. I will also be sad and more than likely a little lost because I have become so a customized to “meeting” with my colleagues every week. The adjourning stage is essential stage of teamwork because it gives everyone closure. It gives everyone a chance to say good bye to everyone. With the closure it allows people to feel the work they were on was completed and lets them feel open to pursue other projects.

Brandie

References

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.php

EDUC: 6165 Week 5

Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?


Two strategies that I have learned about this week that might help me manage or resolve a conflict more productively is to use some of the principles of nonviolent communication. "Nonviolent Communication skills emphasize personal responsibility for our actions and the choices we make when we respond to others, as well as how to contribute to relationships based in cooperation and collaboration" (The Center for Nonviolent Communication, n.d, pg. 1).  It is important when in a disagreement to remember why and what you are disagreeing about, not bring in personal issues in to the argument. It is vital to remember that your actions and words have consequences. 
Nonviolent communication is about learning "to hear our own deeper needs and those of others, and to identify and clearly articulate what 'is alive in us'. When we focus on clarifying what is being observed, felt, needed, and wanted, rather than on diagnosing and judging, we discover the depth of our own compassion. Through its emphasis on deep listening—to ourselves as well as others—NVC fosters respect, attentiveness and empathy, and engenders a mutual desire to give from the heart" (CNVC, n.d., pg. 2). When in an argument or disagreement it is important to remember that being right is not the answer. It is crucial to think of the other person, why are they arguing. It is important not to judge and really listen to what the other person is trying to say.
Brandie

Resources
The Center for Nonviolent Communication.[CNVC] (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/

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