What would teachers out there suggest I cover in a basic Communications class?

Question

Please only teachers answer me, I am looking for content as I have no book to use in teaching this course. This is a nine week course. I was thinking about three 3-week units. Interpersonal communications, mass media (including internet communications), public speaking, newspaper...that kind of thing....what are some resources (online and print) that you have used that have worked in your classes......please help me out if you have advice.....thank you

Answer 1

The 3 week module premise sounds good - a textbook can be a drawback when teaching communication - here are some basic ideas that can be modified/developed to suit your aims.

A basic warm up - to get people thinking about effective communication is to put people into pairs and ask one to teach the other to complete a task (example: how to put on a tie) without using gesture.

Group activity (looking at verbal & written communication) -
divide into small groups (pairs can work if the group is small)
Group 1: Given written instructions on how to (do origami - a crane is always a good one). The instructions include no diagrams.
Group 2: Given instructions with only pictures.
Group 3: Given a combination of written & drawn instuctions
Group 4: The teacher shows them.
Groups feedback on challenges faced & discuss effective communication.

Throughout the course - you could also focus on body languge, intonation and language choice.

Try www.businessballs.com for presentation tips and different forms of communication.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Text: Icebreaker: A Manual for Public Speaking

First week

The Speech Process- Calming your anxieties, meet the class, ideas on selecting a good subject; planning and preparing a speech. Go over Audience Analysis.

Have in class impromptu
Watch Famous Speeches
Teach class how to prepare an outline

Week 2

Prepare First Extemporaneous Speech
and write a critique
Explain the use of Visual Aids
Prepare for Demonstration Speech

Week 3

Give Demonstration Speech
and write a critique

Prepare for Persuasive Speech
Explain the methods of Persuasion.

Week 4

Give Persuasive Speech
and write a critique



This might help

Answer 3

I agree with basic personal communications. I sound like a frustrated teacher when I say kids don't know how to listen, but many honestly were raised in a family where every talked over everyone else and they're not used to professional communication (not interrupting, being diplomatic even when they hear something offensive...)
I would also show them lots of fake news/websites so that they don't believe everything they see/read. The site to ban dihydrogen monoxide (aka water) is great, as well as other sites like the washington tree octopus (or something like that). They look so real and have active links, yet the kids will learn they are not real.

Answer 4

Ask the person next to you "was that you?" what ever you do don't turn around and walk back in to it. But act as if you did just walk through it and say dang that stunk or something like that. Unless it smells like heaven and its not then own up to it. Also say the fart poem "a fart is a chemical substance it comes from a place called bum it penetrates through the trousers and lands with a musical hum. Tis fart Tis Fart for it gives the body ease it warms the blankets on cold winter nights and suffocates all the flea's

Answer 5

I am an elementar school teacher and I think you should cover how to listen to others. I guess face to face personal communication is becoming a lost art and needs to be taught.