In thinking about how I communicate in my culture, I realize that I do communicate differently when I am talking with my home girls on the phone and when I am talking with business colleagues. I have been told that I sound "white" on the phone when I answer it at work. What that means I am unsure but I am simply speaking in a professional manner. It is professional to answer the phone and to speak clearly and state the business with my name. I hope that I am respecting the other person on the phone by following the "Platinum Rule".
The 3 strategies that I could use to communicate effectively with people are:
1) To speak using correct grammar
2) To speak clearly and concise
3) To listen with respect and respond with respect
These 3 strategies will be effective with all cultures because it is not based on the culture but on the person. I want them to understand what I am saying and I want to understand what they are saying. These strategies apply to written and verbal communication. I enjoy conversing with others but I know that my non-verbal communication effectivness is just as important as the verbal. All must be taken into account.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Communication
My assignment for this blog was to watch an unfamiliar TV show with the sound off to watch the non-verbal communications and then with the sound on to see if any assumptions that I made were valid.
I chose the MTV game show called "The Substitute" where a substitute teacher is placed in a high school classroom where he turns the classroom into a game show. Upon entering the classroom I noticed the students with puzzle looks on their faces, some had grins on their faces and my assumptions led me to believe they were saying to their friends, "who is this person". The teacher also appeared to have a stern look on his face when he entered the room. When he wrote his name on the board I assumed that the students laughed at him and that he would scold the students for doing so but he did not and even joked about his name. As the game began and the teacher called 2 students up to play, they appeared to be apprehensive about what question they would be asked. As the game proceeded, the students appeared to be more comfortable when they approached the game buzzer to answer questions. What started as faces of questions ended with faces of enjoyment. At the end of the game, the student that won appeared elated but the other students did not jump up and down.
The assumptions that I had made with the sound off were part correct. The students didn't say "who is this" but some did say "yeah" which indicated to me they were glad their teacher wasn't there. Some did laugh when the teacher wrote his name but he laughed also. Students would say "what" or "let's do this" when their names were called to participate. The students did enjoy participating in the game as it moved from round 1 to round 2 and then the $5000 round. The student that won was very happy and the other students did clap for him and a few cheered.
My assumptions probably would have been the same if I had watched a familiar game show like the "Price is Right" or "Family Feud" because people will either be happy or not so happy. The non-verbal communication shows through in faces, body language, and jestures that are made when communicating with others. In a group of people it is interesting to watch all the non-verbal cues that are given without people realizing it. This has taught me to watch my body languge expressions especially when speaking with my student's parents.
I chose the MTV game show called "The Substitute" where a substitute teacher is placed in a high school classroom where he turns the classroom into a game show. Upon entering the classroom I noticed the students with puzzle looks on their faces, some had grins on their faces and my assumptions led me to believe they were saying to their friends, "who is this person". The teacher also appeared to have a stern look on his face when he entered the room. When he wrote his name on the board I assumed that the students laughed at him and that he would scold the students for doing so but he did not and even joked about his name. As the game began and the teacher called 2 students up to play, they appeared to be apprehensive about what question they would be asked. As the game proceeded, the students appeared to be more comfortable when they approached the game buzzer to answer questions. What started as faces of questions ended with faces of enjoyment. At the end of the game, the student that won appeared elated but the other students did not jump up and down.
The assumptions that I had made with the sound off were part correct. The students didn't say "who is this" but some did say "yeah" which indicated to me they were glad their teacher wasn't there. Some did laugh when the teacher wrote his name but he laughed also. Students would say "what" or "let's do this" when their names were called to participate. The students did enjoy participating in the game as it moved from round 1 to round 2 and then the $5000 round. The student that won was very happy and the other students did clap for him and a few cheered.
My assumptions probably would have been the same if I had watched a familiar game show like the "Price is Right" or "Family Feud" because people will either be happy or not so happy. The non-verbal communication shows through in faces, body language, and jestures that are made when communicating with others. In a group of people it is interesting to watch all the non-verbal cues that are given without people realizing it. This has taught me to watch my body languge expressions especially when speaking with my student's parents.
Friday, September 9, 2011
A Great Communicator
In our society today, I think President Barak Obama demonstrates a competent communicator. He demonstrated this during his 2008 presidentital debate where he exhibited a calm manner and effectively communicated his points. When he was being attacked, he calmly responded with intellecte and patience. During his speeches he is able to engage the audience by looking at them and speaking to them in venicular language that address all groups of people. He is an eloquent speaker and his Harvard education along with life skills has developed him into the communicator that he is. Not only is he effective when speaking but also in his written words. In his books he writes with compassion and paints a picture that places you at the scene he is speaking about.
I would like to model my communication behavior after him by being calm when I speak in public and engaging my audience with words that will motivate. I admire Pres. Obama that he thinks before he speaks. His critics will say that he moves to slow, but I like the fact that he will look at a situation and think what will be the best way to communicate it. I realize that in my work with young children that I must listen more than speak and give the children and their family the opportunity to communicate their needs. President Obama inspires me and that is what I want to do is inspire others to give quality early childcare to children.
I would like to model my communication behavior after him by being calm when I speak in public and engaging my audience with words that will motivate. I admire Pres. Obama that he thinks before he speaks. His critics will say that he moves to slow, but I like the fact that he will look at a situation and think what will be the best way to communicate it. I realize that in my work with young children that I must listen more than speak and give the children and their family the opportunity to communicate their needs. President Obama inspires me and that is what I want to do is inspire others to give quality early childcare to children.
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