Evaluating Communication

The similarities between how I evaluated myself as a communicator and how my husband and co worker evaluated me as a communicator was surprising because they both knew me so well. The scores in each category were very similar to my own evaluation. They both knew my weaknesses and what I needed to work on.  As we discuss their score and my own score they were amaze at the similarities.

The two insights I gained about communication this week is First, the communication anxiety inventory gave me a explanation on why I feel a bit uneasy in some communication situation Second, the evaluation made me take a good look at the many things I need to work on as it relates to communication.

Communicating Differently

I haven’t had much experience with communicating with people of different cultures. I look forward to get the opportunity to work with people of different cultures in the very near future.

The three strategies that I will use when I get the opportunity to work with people of different cultures are:

1. Consider asking more question than I normally would if I were interacting face to face to clarify meanings and the interpretation of message

2. Use “small talk” and comments about the weather, what your typical day is like, and other low-level disclosures to build a relationship. Then look for reciprocal responses from your communication partner that indicate a relationship is naturally evolving.

3. I will summarize and paraphrase messages that you receive more often than you might normally, in order to increase the accuracy of message content.

Reference

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Blog Assignment: Week Two

The show I watched was Psych on the USA television network.

Watching the show without sound:

The relationship between the characters watching the show without the sound on seems to show that the two main characters were partners. One of the main characters through the body language seems to be the one doing all the talking. They were always together. One of the main characters seems confused about the statements the other one made from his facial expression. It seems through the non-verbal communication without the sound on that they had a great working relationship.

Watching the show with the sound on:

The two main characters were indeed partners. The main character Shawn was the one doing the most of the talking because he was a so-called psychic and he thought he had all the answers.  Gus was not confused but always gave funny facial expressions when Shawn spoke. Because Shawn and Gus were partners, they were always together. Watching the show with sounds, I observed even though one of main character talked constantly they had a great working relationship.

The assumptions I made was about the main character Gus who’s facial expressions seem to show he was confused about what his partner was saying. What I found interesting when watching the show with the sound on was that facial expression can mean many different things. That why people should never make assumption about what someone is saying because their facial expression may mean one thing but really mean something very different.

I think it would not have been fair to do a show you watch often. You know how the characters interact with one another. Therefore, with or without verbal communication you could figure out what is going on.

I learn through this assignment that you may or may not be able to read facial expressions, hand gestures, or other forms of non-verbal communication. This was a great experience. I enjoyed trying to figure out what the characters were saying without the sound on. I was amazed that I was able to figure some of the non-verbal communication when the sound was off and on.

Reference

Adapted from O’Hair & Wisemann, 2009. Real Communication. p.128.

Blog Assignment Week One

One of my undergraduate professors Dr. Oliver demonstrated competent communication within several courses I took under him. Dr. Oliver had a way of getting your attention and keeping it. He was passionate about his work and he loved lecturing. I always enjoyed his classes. Even though his class was a 6:00 to 9:30 evening class, I did not mind going because he kept my attention throughout the entire class. It was a joy listening to his lectures. Dr. Oliver successfully uses symbols, signs, and behaviors to exchange information to engage his students to want more and learn more (Hair & Wiemann, 20). Because of his effective communication as professor, he made me want to work harder and to become effective communicator who is able to reach other.

Reference

O’Hair, D, & Wiemann,  M. (2009). Real communication. New  York: Bedford/St. Martins.

            pp. 3-28.

: Professional Hopes and Goals

Blog Assignment:  Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds

One hope that I have when thinking about working with children and families who come from diverse background is that children and families want have to worry about being accepted in society as well as in the classroom. Another hope is when children enter into the classroom there are programs and training prepared for them to help with the changes they will face in a different environment.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field as it relates to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to prepare educators, children and families before they enter the classroom. As the professional stated in video, “ you may not have all the answers, its important to know what direction one needs to go in.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues and Profess Morgan for a great class experience. I have enjoyed the discussions and blog assignments. I hope to get the opportunity to take others courses with you all.

Happy Holidays to You All:

Tonetta Bogard- Marion

: Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of “my” family’s country of origin is

Africa

Five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1.  Research is the key. If my family is coming from Africa it is important for me as the educator to know all there is to know about what part of Africa there from and learn about their culture and belief.   Ask the family question about their expectation for the program and how we can meet those expectations.

2.  Develop tools to address difficult issues of discrimination and oppression and always respect the individual child.

3. As a early childhood educator it’s important to make sure that the program is rooted in children needs and experiences.

4.  Always encourage children to discuss their family heritage to encourage self- knowledge and a positive self-concept.

5.  Widen the friend and colleagues acquaintances and make sure it includes people of different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

Brief statement describing in what ways I hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

It is so important to make sure you learn as much as possible about children and families of diver culture in order to meet their needs. In order to meet their needs I must get pass the discrimination and oppression and make sure all children are being respected. This can be done when children are encouraged to discuss their family heritage. As an early childhood educator it is important to continue training and surround myself with friends and colleagues that can help with the learning process as it relates to backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of the children and families I will one day serve.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

The memory, I experience with biases was at a childcare center I worked at. One my co worker and I were discussing her wedding. She went into details about the wedding at a chapel in the casino. She went on to say we only had one problem I asked her what was the problem? My co worker stated the only problem was my husband did not want to be married by a colored man. I sat there trying to process the words that just came out of her mouth.

My first reactions are you really seriously using the word colored man? At that very moment I was floored about her statement. I could not believe that anyone especially someone is their early twenties would use colored man. The only word that would describe my feeling at that moment was surprise.

I handle the situation by explaining to my co-worker that her statement was inappropriate. I let her know that not all people would have taken the comment she made in a good way. She thanked me for letting her know that what she said was so inappropriate. I feel that some people are ignorant to the affects of their words and actions.