Communication in

Microteaching

What is Communication?

Communication originates from the Greek (Latin) root communis, meaning ‘to make common’.

It is described as a process of interaction of ideas between the communicator and the receiver to arrive at a common understanding for mutual benefit (Berlo, 1960),

a process of transmitting information and common understanding from one person to another (Keyton, 2011).

What is Communication (2)?

It is a process of generating meaning by sending and receiving verbal and nonverbal symbols and signs.

Communication is a two way interactive process of: Communicating TO others and learning how to interpret the

information received FROM others. It is a process of transmitting and

receiving messages (verbal and non-verbal).

Types of Communication

Communication can be classified as and non-verbal Verbal: Communication by word, mouth,

or pieces of writing. Verbal communication deals with the use of spoken language to transmit information. It refers to the use of sounds and language to relay a message.

Non Verbal: Communication through sending and receiving wordless messages. They are all intentional and unintentional messages that are not written or spoken in the classroom.

Verbal Communication

Verbal communication can be trifurcated into: Verbal: The meaning attached to the

spoken word Vocal/paralinguistic/

paralanguage: Concerned with the vocalization or how words are spoken.

Written: Written communications are printed messages like textbooks, training manuals, handout, etc.

Verbal Communication (2)

Verbal Deals with the meaning and the

grammar of the words used by the teacher.

Word choice is very important in communication.

Teachers should speak words that people understand, and do not be offensive.

Correctness important

Verbal Communication (2)

Vocal / Paralanguage / ParalinguisticDeals with the vocalization which focuses on “How” a word is spoken than “What” : spoken, like speaking rate, volume, pitch, tone, accent, intonation, stress on a particular word,

Verbal Communication (2)

Written Verbal communication which are printed

messages like textbooks, training manuals, handout, etc.

They may be printed on paper, handwritten, or displayed on the screen.

While oral communication takes place in real time (synchronous):

Written communication can be asynchronous (occurring at different times) or

synchronous - real time (teacher’s writing on the board).

It is a “one-to-many” communication process.

Non-Verbal Communication

This is communication through sending and receiving wordless messages.

They are all intentional and unintentional messages that are not written or spoken in the classroom.

The saying “Actions speak louder than words” shows the essence of non-verbal communication.

Non-Verbal Communication (2)

The non-spoken or written aspect of communication can be taken in by our five senses.

Research has established that although what you say is important in communication, however, what you don’t say or what you do can be even more important,

Can be used to communicate attitudes or other shades of meaning.

What do studies say about communication of messages?

Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

Complement verbal message by adding to its meaning,

Regulate verbal communication, Can substitute for verbal messages,

and Accent what you are saying. Be used as follow up and reiterate

verbal messages. Emphasize parts of verbal messages. Contradict verbal messages.

Types of Non-Verbal Communication

Body movements, Posture, Gesture, Eye communication/occulesics Facial communication, Touch/Haptics communication, Teachers’ movement/Proxemics/spatial

messages Clothing is one of the most common

forms of non-verbal communication

Non-Verbal Communication (Body Movement)

Emblems: Body movements that have specific verbal translations.

Illustrators: They are non-verbal sketches or pictures that accent emphasize or reinforce words.

Affect displays: Facial expressions that communicate emotional reactions to a message.

Regulators: They control interaction as each culture develops its own rules for the regulation to monitor maintain, or control the speaking of another individual.

Adaptors: They are unconscious movement of the body that originate from the nervous state of our mind.

Non-Verbal Communication (Posture & Gestures)

Posture: Can be used to determine: participants degree of attention or

involvement Difference in status between communicators, Level of fondness a person has for the other

communicators. Posture is understood through such

indicators as direction of lean body orientation, arm position, and body openness.

Gesture: Non-vocal bodily movement intended to express meaning, through hands, arms or body.

Non-Verbal Communication (Eyes/Occulesics)

Science of the movement grammar of our eyes and of facial expressions. Eye avoidance:

Allow others to maintain their privacy. Can also signal lack of interest in a person, a

conversation, or some visual stimulus. Eye Grammar - Staring eyes:

Too much eye contact either shows superiority or lack of interest a threatening attitude or a wish to insult.

Too little eye contact: it has multiple interpretations. The gesture indicates dishonesty, impoliteness, insincerity, and also shyness.

Withdrawal of eye contact: This is considered as a sign of submission.

Non-Verbal Communication (Facial & Touch)

Facial communication• Facial movements may communicate at

least the following eight emotions.• Happiness, surprise, fear, anger,

sadness, disgust, contempt, and interest.

Touch/Haptics communication• Physical contact with others is the most

basic form of communication and a lack of touch in certain situations often communicates that there is a problem.

Non-Verbal Communication (Media)

Mainly used as channels.AudioAudio VisualMultimedia

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Mudasiru Olalere Yusuf (PhD)

Department of Educational Technology,University of Ilorin, Nigeria

E-mail: moyusuf@unilorin.edu.ng; lereyusuf@yahoo.com;

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mudasiruoyTwittter: @moyusuf

Blog: http://wordpress.com/#!/my-blogs/

(2013)