8.3: Effective Communication
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Many of the challenges that students face in group projects relate to breakdowns in communication. To be successful as a group, you will need to use effective communication. Having regular opportunities for the group to share thoughts, ideas, and challenges is important. The group should strive to create an environment where each group member feels comfortable discussing feelings.
Communication involves both speaking and listening. In order to become a good communicator, you must first understand what the other person is saying. Active listening is paying close attention to what you are hearing in order to focus on the person’s message. When practicing active listening, turn off all distractions and give the speaker your full attention. Put aside your own emotions as well as any assumptions you have about what the person is going to say. Avoid thinking of responses while the other person is speaking and resist the urge to interrupt. We lose focus when we worry about what we are going to say next instead of concentrating on what is being said to us. Sometimes a person may simply want to be heard and not hear advice or action. When the person has finished speaking, take a moment to summarize and repeat to them what they said. You could say something like “what I hear you saying is...” This statement shows the speaker that you understand their message and allows them to clarify any points. By practicing active listening, you can avoid misunderstandings and help members of the group to feel respected and heard.
Effective communicators:
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Listen carefully
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Communicate with purpose
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Are able to express their emotions in an honest but non-threatening way
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Pay attention to others’ emotions
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Ask questions
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Are able to give and receive constructive criticism
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Are self-reflective
Create a group communication plan: Before you get started on a project, take time to discuss the ways you will be working together. Creating a communication plan can be very helpful in keeping the group on task with each person clearly understanding what is expected. The following questions are a starting point to creating a plan with your group.
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How often will you communicate?
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Develop a schedule for regular meetings.
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Will you be meeting once a week?
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During specific parts of the project?
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Have quick check-ins between meetings?
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How are you communicating?
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Determine within your group what method you will be using to communicate.
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Will you exchange phone numbers? Communicate via text?
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Have in person or zoom meetings? Use course discussion boards?
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Consider both the benefits and challenges of different methods of communication.
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How will you share work with another?
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There are many collaborative tools such as Google Docs, Drive and Slides that allow synchronous or asynchronous collaboration.
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How are you going to work on parts of the project?
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Some students prefer to break up tasks, complete them independently and then check-in to share progress. Other students prefer to work collaboratively on tasks. How will your group function?
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What are the expectations?
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Make sure everyone understands their role and what is expected. When creating tasks, be specific.
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For example: “By the end of this week we will each have posted our top three topic choices, and then we will meet via zoom to determine a research topic and assign responsibilities.”
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What are your objectives?
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Take time at the beginning of each meeting to discuss the objectives and what you hope to accomplish during the session.
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