This term I have learned there are several ways in which we communicate. From saying hello to people on the street, to texting our friends about our day, communication is inevitable. In the text Communication in a Changing World, these different ways of communicating are called channels.
‘Channels are the mediums that carry messages between communicators. ” (Dobkin & Pace, pg 15). Until taking this class, I have never really realized the intricacy of the communication process. The amount of information regarding how we communicate each day is astounding.
We can all improve the way we communicate, especially if we understand more about the process. I am writing this essay to show why both face-to-face and online communication are important in my personal and academic life and to show ways in which I hope to improve these communication skills. In this essay, I will analyze my face-to-face and online communication skills and find ways in which I can improve them. I will explain why each channel of communication is important to me personally and academically.
I will describe my strengths and weaknesses with each, and how I can improve them.Face-to-face communication is important to me in my personal life, especially with my close friends and family. Other forms of communicating lack the richness of being face-to-face. “Richness refers to the number of verbal and non-verbal cues or modes of communication a channel carries. ” (Dobkin & Pace, pg 16).
I feel it is important in relationships to have as many cues as possible in order to interpret the other person correctly and avoid miscommunication. Cues can include “words, vocal inflection, touch, eye contact, hand gestures, and even smell. ” (Dobkin &Pace, pg 16).It is important to me, particularly in the relationships I’m most invested in, to communicate in the richest channel available to ensure as little miscommunication as possible.
This will help avoid conflict and keep relationships strong. In an academic setting, face-to-face communication is less important to me. Although there are benefits such as having the instructor verbally and visually go over the material, it is not critical for my learning style. I think it is important that individuals that learn better in a traditional classroom setting have that option available.Communication settings influence the way people learn and communicate. Communication settings “refer to the number of communicators, the type of relationship, and the nature of the interaction.
Communication varies from one setting to the next. ” (Dobkin & Pace, pg 20). Online learning is not for everyone. It requires a lot of self-discipline and organization.
Some student just do better in the classroom setting. They may find it easier to concentrate, especially with the instructor right there, vying for their attention. People have different learning styles.Learning outside of the classroom can be difficult. It is a challenge to totally ignore external noise. “External noise is anything disruptive in the environment that competes for your attention.
” (Dobkin & Pace, pg 18). In the classroom, I feel it is easier to keep these distractions at bay. For example, I have a roommate that cooks, cleans, plays music, all while I’m studying and doing my schoolwork. I am able to dismiss this and be productive, while others may not. As a result of taking this course, I am much more aware of my strengths and weaknesses in my face-to-face communication.I feel my strengths are active listening.
When you actively listen, you “focus on the moment, are aware of interactions as they unfold, respond appropriately, and are aware of distractions. ” (Dobkin & Pace, pg 97). I think I have always been one to give whomever I’m speaking to my full attention. I have been in a situation where someone was not really listening to what I had to say. This was disappointing.
What I was talking about was important to me. It can be interpreted as rude or hurtful. I have always tried to avoid this situation in my face-to-face communication.I feel empathetic listening is another one of my strong points. “Empathetic listening establishes a common ground between people by acknowledging the legitimacy of feelings.
” (Dobkin &Pace, pg 107). I try to do this every day with all of my patients. Knowing that someone validates your fears and genuinely cares for your well-being can ease a patients worries. It is important to ease the patients mind and make them as comfortable as possible.
My weaknesses in face-to-face communication would be some of my preconceived attitudes and beliefs.In the text Communication in a Changing World on page 102, it is stated that these preconceived attitudes and beliefs “often interfere with our listening effectiveness by leading us to categorize messages before fully understanding them. ” I have experienced this in my job. There are a large number of patients that are considered “drug-seekers”. They are documented as returning to the ER claiming they have uncontrollable pain in order to get narcotics.
With these patients, it is easy to assume their pain is not real due to many past experiences.It is important to remember, that these patients CAN develop serious illnesses at any time, regardless of their drug seeking history. I have actually seen a patient come in with pain and be treated differently because of drug seeking in the past. The patient turned out to have appendicitis. This is a great example of how we cannot let our preconceived attitudes about a person or situation influence the current method of treatment. I try to remember this every day.
It is a challenge I am still working on. Online communication is a large part of how people interact today. It is considered mediated communication.Mediated communication is when you communicate using some sort of technology, including the internet. (Dobkin & Pace, pg 22). Online communication is important in my personal life because I use social networking almost daily to stay connected with friends and family that live far away.
Although geographically they are at quite a distance away, their updates and pictures make them seem closer. Academically, online communication is important to me because it is allowing me to further my education. I would not be possible for me to do traditional classes due to my work schedule. Online classes are ideal.I am able to communicate online with my instructor and classmates.
I feel my strengths in online communication are appropriateness and feedback. “Appropriateness is responding in a way that fits the communication context. ” (Dobkin & Pace, pg 29). For example, when emailing friends, I am much more lax in my communication. I am less concerned about grammar, and often use abbreviations I know they will understand easily. When communication with my instructors at school, this would not be appropriate.
I am much more concerned that the message is grammatically correct and free of spelling errors.I ensure that it presented in a more scholarly tone. My other strength, feedback, is a “response or reaction to a message. ” (Dobkin & Pace, pg 18).
I think it is very easy to misinterpret written communication such as emails. Feedback allows for clarification to ensure that the correct meaning and intent in the message is understood. This is helpful in avoiding conflict due to miscommunication. One of my weaknesses in online communication is difficulty in interpreting messages.
Especially in the online channel, it can be difficult to gauge emotion. Interpretation is the stage in the perception process in which we determine the meaning of an event or interaction. ” (Dobkin & Pace, pg 79). Because of the lack of richness in online communication, messages can easily be misinterpreted. I have mistaken someone for being angry with me when they have given me a short answer to a question, when they have, in fact, just been busy and wanted to give a quick answer to not be rude.
This is another reason feedback is important. Also, a weakness in online communication is that I’m not technically savvy.My classes at Walden have been a great learning experience in this area. Although it’s still a challenge, with each class, and continued exposure, I hope to keep improving. In this essay I have shared why face-to-face and online communication are important to me.
I have also analyzed my strengths and weaknesses in both areas. Taking the knowledge I have gained during this course, I will continually try to improve my communication skills in each. There are many facets of communication. Understanding the process and its limitations will no doubt help me to be a more effective communicator in the future.
