Week:3 Communications & Collaborations/ EDUC 6165

Based on what I have learned this week, I have shared three strategies I could use to help me communicate more effectively with the people in my community.  

The first strategy that I plan on using to help me communicate more successfully is applying effective listening skills.  Effective listening is a way of showing concern for others, and fosters collaborate bonds, commitment, and trust (Williams, S. n.d.). 

The second strategy that I plan on using to help me communicate more effectively is to accept differences and understand that individuals may think different from the way I do (Gonzalez-Mena, 2010, p.37).

 I must always try to look at what others are doing through their eyes instead of my own.  Try to withhold judgement and gain deep understanding.

The last strategy that I plan on using to help me communicate more effectively is to be more mindful of my own personal thoughts, actions, abilities, values, goals, and ideals.  

I have learned a great deal about the ability to be aware of 

what I say and how I say it.  I have learned that myself 

awareness powerfully shapes my communication with others. (O’Hair, Wiemann, Mullin, & Teven, 2015, p38). 

References:

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2010). 50 strategies for communicating and working with diverse families.

                  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. "Understanding and Appreciating Cultural Differences" (pp. 36–38)

O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J.  (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New             

            York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Williams, S. (n.d.). Listening effectively. Retrieved from http://www.wright.edu/~scott.williams/LeaderLetter/listening.htm

 

Week:2 Communication & Collaboration EDUC 6165

Blog Assignment; As we have been learning, communication is not always straightforward. Everyone, at some time or another, makes assumptions based on messages communicated through body language and facial expressions.

For this assignment

Record an episode of a television show you do not normally watch. 

Watch the show with the sound turned off.

The episode that I do not normally watch that I chose is:

Love Thy Neighbor, 

by producer Tyler Perry,&The Oprah Winfrey Network.

 I have never watched this show before so my presumptions are based off first time views.  I think that the characters non verbal communication actions are natural and genuine. I think because the environment is a home setting my guess would be that the characters are acting as close family, friends, or relatives.

 The feelings and emotions based on the nonverbal behaviors that I observed would be emotionally disturbed, upsetting, surprised, shocked, and even a form of deception.

Now, watch the show with the sound turned on.

https://youtu.be/PkFer8YK298?list=PLbiFeTQgpPOxOsg55AqpIi3IaesrY4lEZ

After watching the video I have come to discover that I have not made any wrong assumptions about the characters or the plot based on my interpretation.  In the episode, after discovering that it may be a "dead" man tied up, upstairs in the grandmother's bed room. The characters were indeed as I stated shocked, surprised, and disturbed.  This episode was a family comedy that I would never have guessed to be the scenario.   

I think that my assumption would have been better if I was watching a show that I have seen before because I would have known what to expect. However this was a very meaningful and interesting experience.  My "aha" moment would have been when I learn how we can say so much with very little words. 

I have gained great understanding to the statement, " actions speak louder than words".    

Episode;

Danny Makes a Critical Discovery | Tyler Perry’s Love Thy Neighbor | Oprah Winfrey Network

Retrieved from:

https://youtu.be/PkFer8YK298?list=PLbiFeTQgpPOxOsg55AqpIi3IaesrY4lEZ

Communication & Collaboration in Early Childhood EDUC 6165

Competent Communication Skills

The person whom I have chose that demonstrates competent communication would have to be my grandmother Valerie Jones.  My grandmother is 75 years old and the behaviors that she exhibits that makes her a effective communicator is her ability to be a great listener.  I can remember always talking to my grandmother as a child, she was like one of my closest friends.  My grandmother is very thoughtful, loving, and kind but always says what's on her mind.  She seem to understand almost every situations without judgement or scold. I feel really comfortable talking to my grandmother about anything, her inspiring words have always motivate me to feel better about any situation. I think it is a blessing to have had such a wise women to confide in and get advice from.  I would love to model some of my own communication behaviors after my grandmother because she is very effective, honest, and always give positive feedback.  I thank God for having such a supportive strong women in my life. 

I have learned that good communicators do more than just talk. They also listen effectively, hearing what others say, interpreting the message and repeating it back. By conveying other people’s messages accurately, effective communicators help put others at ease, making them more receptive to communication.

Reference:

Retrieved from; https://www.reference.com/business-finance/competent-communicator-f0c47c85b905ca30