EDF4010

Developing effective communication skills ( 6 points, SCA Band 0, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Lecturer in charge (TBA)

Offered:
Not offered in 2005.

Synopsis: Effective communication is a fundamental teaching tool, therefore developing an appreciation of the ways in which communicative competence may be enhanced and utilised to greatest effect in an educational environment is crucial in the preparation for any beginning teacher. This unit caters for the communicative needs of all prospective teachers, especially students undertaking the following methods: Drama, English, ESL, LOTE and Psychology. For all teachers there is an imperative to understand and appreciate the purposes, for which we listen, speak, read, write, perform and create visual images, as well as acknowledge the effects of context, audience and cultural capital on communication.

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, students should have developed: an increased awareness of the manner in which they employ their existing communicative skills; the ability to astutely perceive the purpose of communication (their own and that of others); the ability to reflect on the purpose (direct and indirect) of communication; an appreciation that all communication is culturally contextualised, and the significance of culturally contextualised communication; an increased critical perception of the factors that act as determinants in the creation of effective communication; an understanding of the power of effective communication, and an appreciation that this power can be harnessed and utilised by the creator to affect the intended audience in overt and covert ways; an awareness that effective communication can produce a potentially powerful interactivity between the creator and audience; competence and facility in using a complex range of skills that enable effective communication; an appreciation that effective communication will affect every aspect of their professional lives; and effective communication skills that will serve them well in life.

Assessment: An analytic and creative written response to a non-dialogue video. (1000 words): 25% + Construction of a complementary visual and written narrative (1000 words using 5 - 10 visuals): 25% + Construction and performance of a scripted vignette (15 minutes, equiv. 1200 words): 30% + Journal: a developmental record of effective communicative competence (800 words): 20%

Contact Hours: 2 hours per week