Page 328 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

Communication Skills

“There is more than a verbal tie between the words common, community, and
communication.... Try the experiment of communicating, with fullness and

accuracy, some experience to another, especially if it be somewhat complicated,
and you will find your own attitude toward your experience changing.”

John Dewey, American philosopher and writer

Recall that the communication process involves transmitting information between a source and an audi-
ence; something we all do regularly as part of our everyday lives. Yet for as much as we communicate,
poor skills and ineffective use of the communication process contribute significantly to the problems that
occur in professional as well as personal relationships.

In other words, it’s wrong to assume that just because we communicate so regularly, we have all developed
into skilled communicators. Growth of a set of skills, associated with a process such as communication, is
minimal without critical thought, a good model or a methodology to follow, and assessment.

The table below lists the specific skills that are associated with the communication process.

Table 12.4 Communication Skills Effective Use of Form
Creating the Message Presenting the Message Receiving the Message
conversing
articulating an idea selecting the attending debating
defining the purpose appropriate time rephrasing informing
defining outcomes checking perception persuading
choosing the medium selecting the reading body language public speaking
generating credibility appropriate place retaining writing with
structuring the message providing feedback technical detail
using appropriate
verbal elements

using appropriate
non-verbal elements

using graphics effectively

Communication skills can be separated into four areas.

The first two areas, creating and sending the message, are skill sets from the perspective of the sender of
a message or information. The first set of specific skills deals with putting together the message and takes
into account the purpose and intended outcomes. The second set of skills pertains to how the message is
presented.

The third area lists skills from the perspective of the receiver of a message. These skills help the receiver
better understand the message.

The last area identifies different forms of oral and written communication, each having a different intent
or purpose.

The Foundations of Learning Resources web site contains links to information about various forms of
communication including debating and body language.

322 Foundations of Learning