Effective Communication

Task

Describe effective communication practices as an educator.

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Use the information on the slides below and the following questions to help you.

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1. How can we communicate a good first impression?
2. How else can we improve communication?
3. Consider how planning and relationship building techniques could help.

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You may also choose to discuss your response with a colleague or as part of a team meeting or CPD session.

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First impressions

• Dress appropriately
• Be on time
• Be prepared (both the learning environment
• and the teaching materials)
• Smile, open body language, eye contact
• Respond to questions

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Planning and Communication

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If a session has been well planned, then it is easier to make sure that the message is clearly communicated.

• Use simple language to explain what learners are expected to achieve
• Explain any jargon or technical terms, and check learners understand
• Provide opportunities for learners to get clarification by asking questions
• Write well-defined learning objectives on the board for all to see
• Give examples and SHORT, vocational anecdotes to contextualise and embed meaning.

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Personal Impact

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Amy Cuddy demonstrates the use of power posing to increase your positive personal impact.

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Techniques like this help us appear more confident. This can help educators new to teaching to find their feet.

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Building Relationships

Getting to know your students as individuals and encouraging them to get to know each other is crucial to fostering a supportive and successful learning environment.

• Fun icebreaker activities can help bond a group of learners. They are also useful for giving educators an early insight into learners’ personalities.

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• Have high expectations of your learners and give them a clear indication of how they should behave in your sessions.

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• Using learners’ names early will help them feel relaxed and welcomed.

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Getting to know the educator

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• Use a photo in your user profile
• Share personal & professional interests
• Post a short video introducing yourself

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Go Further

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• Collaborative Classroom. (n.d.) Lowering the Affective Filter for English Language Learners Facilitates Successful Language Acquisition. Available at https://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/blog/lowering-the-affective-filter-for-english-language-learners-facilitates-successful-language-acquisition/
• Cuddy. A. (2014) Amy Cuddy: 30 Seconds on Power Poses. Available at:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=C4ACeoqEjeA&feature=emb_logo
• Unsplash (2022) Copyright free images. Available at https://unsplash.com/

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This slide deck is licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0. This means that you are free to reuse, adapt or change the contents for your own use, including commercial use. All you need to do is credit City of Glasgow College, as this is a requirement of the license.

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This slide deck is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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