This document discusses strategies for effective classroom communication. It emphasizes the importance of communication for student learning and motivation. It provides tips for preparing effective presentations and engaging students. These include practicing presentations, getting feedback, and using various techniques like mini-lectures and multimedia. The document also discusses strategies for responding to students, including evaluating communication dynamics, establishing guidelines, and using technology to enhance interaction.

1. Classroom Communication Professor. P. IBRAHIM

2. Main Topics The Importance of Classroom Communication Strategies to Prepare for Classroom Communication Strategies for Responding to Classroom Communication Strategies to Specific Communication Situations

3. The Importance of Classroom Communication How effective we are as teachers is directly related to how effectively we communicate.

4. In struction depends upon communication Communicating effectively can help instructors have a “presence” in the classroom that motivates students and facilitates learning

5. Instruction depends upon communication We may send unintentional messages if we are unaware of our body language

6. Instruction depends upon communication New technologies present new opportunities for communicating with students.

7. Students value learning with their communication strengths While technology can make communication easier and more convenient, students generally value the opportunity for personal contact and conversation with the instructor as well.

8. When Communication is Effective… Learning is easier Goals are more likely to be met Opportunities emerge for expanded learning Students and faculty connect better More positive perceptions influence the overall school/college experience

9. The Challenge To create a classroom environment where communication issues are openly recognized and managed in a way that promotes learning.

10. Strategies to Prepare for Classroom Communication Tips for Effective Presentations Plan ahead. Be well organized & prepared Observe the teachers you admire. Know your audience. Express ideas clearly & explicitly Gain & keep attention. Remember messages are verbal, visual and vocal

11. Plan mini lectures rather than full length of a period or an hour. First 5 min. ____ ____ ____ Conclusion

12. Strategy 1: Assess and develop your own communication skills and knowledge Plan ahead. To convey ideas or concepts effectively to your students, you need to have a clear goal for each class and a plan for how to reach that goal. Rehearse it well in advance. Spoken language proficiency Ability to adapt written language to promote student learning Knowledge of audio visual teaching aids and latest technology

13. Strategy 2: Practice. Practice. Practice. You may feel awkward talking to yourself in front of the mirror or reciting your lecture in the shower. Yet the best presentations are the result of disciplined practice. Professors who have been teaching for 30 years still set aside two hours just before class to practice their lecture, mastering the ideas and the gestures before they enter the classroom.

14. Strategy 3: Observe and Talk with teachers you respect. Typically, we learn to teach by watching those around us. Watch carefully the instructors you regard as exemplary. What do they do that makes them so good? Seek them out and speak with them about how they prepare and the techniques that work best for them.

15. Strategy 4: Be observed or Get yourself recorded on video. Feedback is essential to continuous improvement; even seasoned teachers benefit from having a colleague watch them teach and offer feed back. Particularly if you are new, it can be helpful to practice your presentation ahead of time with a trusted friend and get feedback from him or her. As you progress, have them come to your class, or tape yourself and analyze the results later.

16. Strategies for Responding to Classroom Communication Engaging your Audience Plan mini-lectures rather than lecturing for the full class. Use multiple presentation techniques. You should know your students’ capabilities. Frequently check the understanding of your audience. Avoid reading your presentation. Ask your students to frame questions. Moving around the class room can convey energy and enthusiasm on your part. Use your sense of humour.

17. Strategy 1: Begin each course with a preliminary plan for communication success Base the plan on your preliminary knowledge of students’ communication skills and needs

18. Strategy 2: Informally evaluate classroom communication dynamics Look for communication similarities and diversity among students Determine if your preliminary understandings of students were accurate Determine if student patterns appear to be assets and/or challenges

19. Strategy 3: Evaluate writing samples Collect academic writing and informal writing (e-mail.) Compare written communication clarity with other communication modes Determine if writing tutoring or other support is needed

20. Strategy 4: Ask the students to describe communication Use questionnaires for self-description of communication strengths and needs Ask students what they are seeing in the classroom dynamics Ask students what they would like to do to make communication more effective

21. Strategy 5: Adjust the classroom environment as needed Adjust lighting, seating, acoustics, etc. Adapt visual presentation.

22. Strategy 6: Establish communication rules and guidelines Remind everyone that communication is highly valued in the classroom Explain how rules can help students learn together Use group discussion to develop communication guidelines Set limits on rules and accommodations as needed Periodically ask students to assess communication and adapt guidelines as needed

23. Strategy 7: Use technology to support communication In-class media E-mail and other computerized interaction (student-student and student-faculty)

24. Strategy 8: Make other special accommodations Allow more time on task Meet with students individually Refer students to tutoring and other support activities

25. Applying Strategies to Specific Communication Situations Using Technology to Communicate E-mails. Group SMS. Electronic Bulletin Boards. Discussion Groups.

26. Electronic Bulletin Boards & Discussion Groups. You and the students are able to follow discussions on various topics more easily because the conversations are organized by theme. Students may be encouraged to participate in discussions on-line because they can choose those areas that are most interesting to them or most helpful to their learning.

27. Using Technology to Communicate Use e-mail to interact with students. E-mail is among the most basic of technologies used to communicate with students, and it has at least two benefits. Students may find it helpful to write carefully and think-through a question rather than ask you directly in class or office hours – and they can do so at any time of day or night. Written communications with students provide you with a record of interactions, something that can be useful if you are having problems with students.

28. Limitations Of course, technology does not address all communication needs. Students value opportunities to have personal interactions with their teachers. And to be an effective teacher, you must be skilled at communicating in many different ways. However, when used properly, technology can augment what you do in the classroom to enhance communication.

29. Final Project You can go for frequent self assessments

30. Project Item 1 List 4 ways in which communication can be improved in classrooms. Describe how this can be both a value and a challenge. 1_______ Value? Challenge? 2 3 4

31. Project Item 2 Describe 2 things you would like to do differently in the management of communication in your courses. 1 2

32. Project Item 3 Develop a personal plan for improving your communication management in one of your courses. You may use the outline (handout) as an optional guide. Exchange your project report with your trusted colleagues for mutual evaluation.

33. Guide to Developing a Communication Management Plan What do I need to do differently? How will these changes benefit: My students? My school/college/program/department? Me?

34. Guide to Developing a Communication Management Plan (2) To make these changes, what do I need to learn: From students? From the literature? From other faculty? From my administration? Other?

35. Guide to Developing a Communication Management Plan (3) To make these changes, what resources will I need? Budget Materials Others’ expertise Any Other

36. Guide to Developing a Communication Management Plan (4) What steps will I take to implement the changes? When will I implement the changes? How will I evaluate the effectiveness of the changes?

37. I wish you great success in your future classroom communication. Thank you for learning with me in this workshop. P. Ibrahim [email_address]