Basic and key communication skills 2025 (1) (copy)

• Page 1: Basic Communication Skills

• Medicine and Health Sciences

• Focus on basic and key communication skills.

• Instruction to watch slideshows in presentation mode for enhanced understanding.

Page 2: Revisiting Key Concepts

• Topics discussed:

  • Knowledge

  • Memory

  • Learning

  • Reflective learning

  • Metacognition

  • Learning preferences

Page 3: Learning Outcomes

• Explore the importance of effective communication skills.

• Define the concept of communication.

• Insight into cultural differences’ influence on communication.

• Explain communication processes.

• Describe different communication styles.

• Discuss factors impacting effective communication.

• Identify qualities of good communication.

• Explain principles of good netiquette.

Page 4: Importance of Effective Communication

• Effective communication aids students in thriving in academic environments.

• Impact of behavior in lectures:

  • Interaction with lecturers, tutors, and peers crucial for academic success.

• Positive environment fosters communication skills development.

• Poor communication can lead to confusions, hurt, and violence.

• Profound effects on personal, work and digital life.

Page 5: Definition of Communication

• Communication: mutual interaction involving two or more individuals.

• Origin of 'communicate': Latin "communicare", meaning 'to give' or 'to share'.

• Elements involved in communication:

  • Sender

  • Message

  • Receiver

  • Channel

  • Feedback

  • Repetition to reinforce understanding.

Page 6: Cultural Influences on Communication

• Students’ interpretation of situations shaped by personal backgrounds.

• Cultural awareness promotes sensitivity to differing values.

• Cultural humility involves adapting communication styles based on knowledge of cultural differences and power imbalances.

Page 7: The Process of Communication

• Successful communication determined by:

  • Internal factors

  • Interactional factors

  • External factors

  • Distinction between intentional and unintentional messaging.

• Constant interpretation of messages enhances understanding.

• Non-verbal cues often overshadow verbal content in importance.

• Attention to these factors improves communication quality.

Page 8: Communication Styles Overview

• Overview of different communication styles and their characteristics.

• Passive-Aggressive Style

  • Avoids direct expression; prioritizes pleasing others.

  • Experiences feelings of being misunderstood and guilt.

• Aggressive Style

  • Dominates conversations, disregards others' feelings.

Page 9: Further Exploration of Communication Styles

• Assertive Style

  • Encourages clear, appropriate communication.

  • Empowers individuals to express needs while respecting others.

• Negative words can damage self-esteem; communication should focus on positive, supportive language.

Page 10: Communication Style Examples

• Examples of positive versus negative language in conversations.

• Importance of tone and approach in fostering trust and respect.

Page 11: Basic Methods to Improve Communication Skills

• Show genuine interest; listen without interruption.

• Importance of eye contact, body language, and expressive language.

• Engage in active listening and provide constructive feedback.

Page 12: Verbal Communication Methods

• Types of verbal communication:

  • Public speaking, presentations, discussions.

• Barriers to effective verbal communication:

  • Emotional states, performance anxiety.

• Recommendations for improvement include practice and feedback.

Page 13: Non-Verbal Communication Methods

• Elements of non-verbal communication:

  • Body language, eye contact, tone variation.

• Misinterpretations may arise from non-verbal cues.

• Suggestions for improvement include roleplay and observation of non-verbal cues.

Page 14: Written Communication Methods

• Types of written communication:

  • Emails, memos, assignments.

• Barriers include spelling and grammar mistakes.

• Improving skills by practicing writing and focusing on clarity.

Page 15: Active Listening Techniques

• Active listening involves reflecting on the speaker's message.

• Barriers such as distractions or preoccupation hinder effective listening.

• Enhancing listening skills through self-awareness and minimizing distractions.

Page 16: Guidelines for Asking Good Questions

• Encourage open-ended questions for detailed responses.

• Stay on topic and provide clarity when questioning.

• Ensure information is well-informed before raising questions.

Page 17: Netiquette Considerations

• Adhere to politeness and professionalism online.

• Importance of tone, privacy, and respectful opinions.

Page 18: Netiquette for Online Lectures

• Guidelines for participating in online lectures:

  • Maintain a quiet space, keep microphones muted when not speaking.

  • Use professional usernames and manage background visuals.

Page 19: Resources to Enhance Communication Skills

• Recommended resources include:

  • Websites offering lessons on speaking and listening.

  • Tools for writing improvement and language skills development.

  • Workshops focusing on academic writing skills.

Basic Communication Skills

Medicine and Health Sciences

• Focus on understanding and mastering basic and key communication skills that are essential for effective interaction in both academic and professional settings.

• Instruction to watch slideshows in presentation mode for enhanced understanding and retention of communication concepts.

Revisiting Key Concepts

Topics discussed:

• Knowledge: Understanding the foundational principles of communication.

• Memory: The role of memory in effective communication.

• Learning: How communication improves learning outcomes.

• Reflective learning: Encouraging students to analyze their own communication practices to foster growth.

• Metacognition: Awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes in communication.

• Learning preferences: Recognizing individual differences in learning and communication styles.

Learning Outcomes

• Explore the importance of effective communication skills in various domains, including personal, academic, and professional life.

• Define the concept of communication as a multifaceted process encompassing various methods and styles.

• Insight into how cultural differences can significantly influence communication dynamics between individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Explain the communication processes, emphasizing the roles played by sender, message, receiver, channel, and feedback.

• Describe different communication styles, including assertive, passive-aggressive, and aggressive styles, and their impacts on interactions.

• Discuss factors that impact effective communication such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and active listening.

• Identify qualities of good communication, such as clarity, conciseness, and coherence.

• Explain principles of good netiquette to promote positive interactions in digital communication.

Importance of Effective Communication

• Effective communication is vital for students to thrive academically and socially in their educational environments. It encourages collaboration, builds relationships, and enhances overall learning experiences.

• Impact of behavior in lectures:

  • Interaction with lecturers, tutors, and peers is crucial for academic success and engagement in learning activities.

  • A positive environment fosters communication skills development through active participation.

  • In contrast, poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and negative outcomes such as violence, affecting personal, work, and digital life.

Definition of Communication

• Communication: A mutual interaction involving two or more individuals, where information and feelings are exchanged to achieve understanding.

• Origin of 'communicate': The Latin term "communicare", meaning 'to give' or 'to share', emphasizes the importance of sharing information and ideas.

• Elements involved in communication include:

  • Sender: The individual delivering the message.

  • Message: The information being conveyed.

  • Receiver: The individual interpreting the message.

  • Channel: The medium through which the message is sent (e.g., verbal, written, non-verbal).

  • Feedback: The response from the receiver that indicates the message was understood.

• Importance of repetition to reinforce understanding and retention of information throughout communication.

Cultural Influences on Communication

• Students’ interpretation of situations is significantly shaped by personal and cultural backgrounds, including language, values, and norms.

• Cultural awareness promotes sensitivity to differing values and enhances communication effectiveness across diverse groups.

• Cultural humility involves adapting communication styles based on knowledge of cultural differences and recognizing power imbalances during interactions.

The Process of Communication

• Successful communication is determined by various factors including:

  • Internal factors: Personal beliefs, biases, and emotional states that affect the encoding and decoding of messages.

  • Interactional factors: Dynamics between individuals, including non-verbal cues and responsiveness.

  • External factors: Environmental elements such as noise and distractions.

• Distinction between intentional and unintentional messaging is crucial in understanding the full scope of communication.

• Constant interpretation of messages enhances mutual understanding and collaboration.

• Non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice often overshadow verbal content in importance, affecting perceptions and emotions. Attention to these factors will improve communication quality and reduce misinterpretations.

Communication Styles Overview

• Overview of different communication styles and their characteristics:

  • Passive-Aggressive Style: Avoids direct expression; prioritizes pleasing others while harbouring feelings of being misunderstood and guilt; often results in indirect conflict.

  • Aggressive Style: Dominates conversations, disregards others' feelings; can lead to hostility and conflict;

  • Assertive Style: Encourages clear, appropriate communication; empowers individuals to express needs while respecting others; promotes open dialogue and trust.

Further Exploration of Communication Styles

• Importance of positive language: Negative words can damage self-esteem and trust; thus communication should focus on supportive and constructive language to foster relationship growth and collaboration.

Communication Style Examples

• Importance of tone and approach in fostering trust and respect during conversations, illustrating positive versus negative language choices.

Basic Methods to Improve Communication Skills

• Show genuine interest in others; listen without interruption to encourage open dialogue.

• Importance of maintaining eye contact, utilizing body language, and practicing expressive language to convey engagement and understanding.

• Engage in active listening by summarizing and reflecting back what has been said, as well as providing constructive feedback to promote clarity.

Verbal Communication Methods

• Types of verbal communication include public speaking, presentations, and discussions, essential for effective sharing of information.

• Barriers to effective verbal communication may include emotional states and performance anxiety, which hinder clear expression.

• Recommendations for improvement include practicing speaking skills and seeking feedback from peers to identify areas for growth.

Non-Verbal Communication Methods

• Elements of non-verbal communication encompass body language, eye contact, and tone variation, each playing a critical role in conveying messages beyond spoken words.

• Misinterpretations may arise from non-verbal cues, necessitating attentiveness and clarity in body language.

• Suggestions for improvement include engaging in roleplay and careful observation of non-verbal interactions to enhance understanding.

Written Communication Methods

• Types of written communication include emails, memos, assignments, and reports, each requiring clarity and coherence.

• Common barriers consist of spelling and grammar mistakes that can lead to misunderstandings; therefore, attention to detail is essential.

• Improving writing communication skills can be achieved by practicing writing and focusing on both clarity and structure to enhance readability.

Active Listening Techniques

• Active listening involves reflecting on the speaker's message, confirming understanding, and responding appropriately.

• Common barriers such as distractions or preoccupation can hinder effective listening; thus self-awareness and minimizing distractions are crucial.

• Enhancing listening skills requires continuous practice and engagement in attentive listening exercises.

Guidelines for Asking Good Questions

• Encourage the use of open-ended questions to elicit detailed responses that foster deeper understanding.

• Importance of staying on topic and providing clarity when questioning to avoid confusion and ensure valuable dialogue.

• Ensure information is well-informed before raising questions to enhance the quality and relevance of inquiries.

Netiquette Considerations

• Adhere to politeness and professionalism in online communication.

• Importance of tone, privacy, and respectful opinions; maintaining these elements contributes to a positive online environment.

Netiquette for Online Lectures

• Guidelines for participating in online lectures: maintain a quiet space, turn off microphones when not speaking to minimize interruptions, and respect fellow participants.

• Use professional usernames and manage background visuals to create a conducive learning environment.

Resources to Enhance Communication Skills

• Recommended resources include websites offering lessons on speaking and listening, tools for writing improvement, and platforms for language skills development.

• Workshops focusing on academic writing skills and practical communication exercises can further enhance overall communication proficiency.