11 th July 2012 Are you communicating effectively? LO : To recap on verbal and non verbal communication. To practice our group communication skills and reflect on barriers to communication. To start Task 1 & 2. Starter - Read the following: “Abigail Smith was found alive today in a dimly lit cellar she had been imprisoned by her husband Sam for 9 years. Sources say he was jealous of other men speaking to his wife so he kept her away from all human contact.” Q – What short term and long term effects do you think this will have on Abigail eg how will she be able to cope with communicating with others ?

Teaching Practice... Some of you are going to have a chance at playing teacher on a subject of your choice today ( pairs allowed) and I want you to work not only what you say and how you say but also on your body language in order to get all pupils focussed and listening to your every word. Remember: Starter first to focus then your teaching bit and if time a plenary activity eg questions to check the pupils understanding. You are not allowed to read anything from a piece of paper but you can glance at notes. But first a quick recap:

Non verbal Communication Posture & proximity – the way you are standing or sitting and how close or far? Eyes – are you looking at them? The face & appearance – facial expressions or do you look flustered?. Hands – gestures with hands/ arms etc Touch – to help people feel at ease Signs, symbols & pictures Angle of the head – Are you facing them? Muscle tension - eg relaxed looking, tense or nervous? Voice tone - low, loud, sharp, friendly, severe? Body Movement - How you walk, sit, cross your legs, your arms etc.....

Verbal Communication skills Listening – this is paramount to good communication Clarifying - eg explanation Open questions - eg not just yes and no answers. Closed questions – can be useful at times eg yes and no answers. Paraphrasing – saying things in a different way so they are more easily understood. Summarising - ensuring you have summed up what has been discussed at the end of the conversation.

Barriers to Communication Sensory deprivation - eg a visual or hearing disability will need special aids to communicate Foreign language – so may need an interpreter. Jargon –technical language eg a new pupils to chaucer would not know what a safe seat is. Hospitals regularly use lots of technical language. Slang – would a visitor understand local slang? Dialect – would you understand everything if you visited Glasgow? Acronyms – PSM, H&SC, CAB, NHS, NEETs Distress – distressed people often find it hard to communicate. Emotional difficulties – again like above. Health issues – some illnesses can get in the way of effective communication. Cultural difficulties – eg some cultures view eye contact as essential in communication and others not. Environmental problems- eg a dimly lit room will be a barrier to a person with poor eyesight. Misinterpretation – if someone reads a persons body language wrongly then the communication cycle is broken.

Overcoming barriers Adapting the environment eg lighting or background noise, special lifts, ramps. Lower furniture. Understanding language needs and preferences eg adapt their language, non verbal, communicator or interpreter. Using individual preferred language eg Braille, sign language Timing – choosing the most appropriate time.

Aggression & Assertion Aggression is behaviour that is unpleasant, frightening or intimidating. It cab be physical, mental or verbal and causes physical pain and emotional harm to those it is directed to. Aggression is a serious barrier to communication as it is an emotion that is out of control. Assertion is the skill of being calm and firm but not aggressive in the way you communicate with others. It helps you communicate your thoughts, needs & feelings in a clear and confident way. While taking into account the feelings of others and respecting their right of opinion as well.

Technological Aids to communication Hearing devises Mobile phones Computers Voice box Other important aids to communication are Braille for the blind, guide dogs, sign language etc. Can you think of any more?

Task – Scenario: You are working in a local care organisation. The manager provides work experience opportunities for young people from the local schools and college. She is concerned that the learners do not have sufficient experience in using effective communication skills within a care environment and asks you to produce training materials that can be used during the work experience induction session. Task 1 (P1) Imagine that you are working in a health centre on a work placement and have been asked to produce clear and easily understandable information poster for people who need technological aids. The poster should explain what technological aids are (include diagrams) how they work and how they will help to improve communication. Task 2 (P1, M1) Clearly explain and describe (with images) what is meant by and give examples of: Verbal Communication Non Verbal communication Written Communication Technological aids

Plenary 1 Do you think you have good communication skills? Explain strengths & weaknesses. 2 Did you teach to the class – if so has it helped you reflect on your communication skills? 3 What did you find most useful today in class? 4 How far have you got with your tasks? Have you met your LO? Are you communicating effectively? LO : To recap on verbal and non verbal communication. To practice our group communication skills and reflect on barriers to communication. To start Task 1 & 2.