Communication FUNdamentals

Jun. 10, 2008

A Day Without Communication is like...IMPOSSIBLE-#4: Learning Skills

Continuing this week with my series, A Day Without Communication is like...IMPOSSIBLE!  You may be able to get through our entire life without ever having to make a speech but you can't get through one single day without communicating something some somebody!  Last week I talked about how important communication skills are in defending and sharing our faith.  This week I would like to share with you why communication skills are so vital in learning. 4. The Communication of Learning When I first start talking about communication skills, I get initial agreement that communication is important. I think most know it's important, even vital, but many a strange look comes my way when I assert that it affects learning.  Ok, I'll buy 87% of all we do all day is communication relation, JoJo, but what does communication skills have to do with taking in information?  What indeed!  Take a look at the findings:  According to numerous studies, our listening memory range is usually 20-30%.  Students will typically remember only about 25% of what they hear in a class session after 48 hours, but in order to pass a test, you need to remember at least 70%!  "Students with ineffective listening skills fail to absorb much of the material to which they are exposed.  Their problems are intensified when they respond incorrectly or inappropriately because of poor speaking skills."  -National Communication Association study on Why Communication is Important Students who ask questions and discuss ideas learn more than those who just take in the information.  Questions and discussion begin the thinking process and oral questions double your ability to remember the information.  According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, our learning is enhanced if we have opportunities to express our ideas and get feedback.  A study by the National Research Academy found that, as we discuss or argue our points in a small group (family, co op or classroom) interaction, we increase our understanding of these concepts.  Listening is a skill...a COMMUNICATION skill.  The more active a listener your student is, the more he or she will retain.  The more active your student is within the learning process, the more your student will learn.  Active participation involves speaking skills.  So the more effective your student is at listening and speaking, the more your student will retain/learn.  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it is her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer.  Her articles appear in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula.  You can also find JoJo on web sites such as Crosswalk.com and Dr.Laura.com.  For more information on communication FUNdamentals and Christian-based communication skills for the whole family, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ From JoJo's Purple Crayon... Did you find FIMM this week?  Foot in Mouth Man is hiding somewhere on the Art of Eloquence website.  Play "Where's FIMM?"  Enter each week for a chance to win a free Art of Eloquence product!

• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!

Comments