Lesson 1 Communications What is communication?

? Communication is the sharing of information between two or more individuals or groups to reach a common understanding. The most important part of this definition is that the information or ideas conveyed must be understood. To see what this definition means in practice, consider giving or receiving incomplete information. With only a partial understanding, problems will occur. Good communication is often incorrectly defined by the communicator as agreement instead of clarity of understanding. If someone disagrees with us, we may often assume the person just did not fully understand our position; but a person can clearly understand us and simply not agree. In fact, when a manager concludes that a lack of communication must exist because a conflict between two employees has continued for a long time, a closer look often reveals that, to the contrary, plenty of effective communication is going on. Each fully understands the other's position, but their communication does not necessarily produce agreement. What is workplace information? Workplace information is one of an organisations most important assets. Every business transaction must be evidenced by a record to support both internal and external accountability requirements. Therefore, careful planning and controls need to be implemented to ensure the efficient management of this resource. Businesses must establish a quality information management system to suit their individual needs with consideration being given to capturing adequate metadata and developing legally sound policies for document management from creation to archiving. Technology is assisting in this process though the development of software packages designed specifically for information management. Information managers ensure the security of data is maintained and that a recovery procedure is in place that allows for the resumption of normal operations should any disaster occur. As part of managing workplace information, organisations may outsource certain aspects of their business operations. Five basic types of questions: 1. Factual - Soliciting reasonably simple, straight forward answers based on obvious facts or awareness. These are usually at the lowest level of cognitive or affective processes and answers are frequently either right or wrong. Example: What is the name the Shakespeare play about the Prince of Denmark?

2. Convergent - Answers to these types of questions are usually within a very finite range of acceptable accuracy. These may be at several different levels of cognition -- comprehension, application, analysis, or ones where the answerer makes inferences or conjectures based on personal awareness, or on material read, presented or known. Example: On reflecting over the entirety of the play Hamlet, what were the main reasons why Ophelia went mad? (This is not specifically stated in one direct statement in the text of Hamlet. Here the reader must make simple inferences as to why she committed suicide.) 3. Divergent - These questions allow students to explore different avenues and create many different variations and alternative answers or scenarios. Correctness may be based on logical projections, may be contextual, or arrived at through basic knowledge, conjecture, inference, projection, creation, intuition, or imagination. These types of questions often require students to analyze, synthesize, or evaluate a knowledge base and then project or predict different outcomes. Answering divergent questions may be aided by higher levels of affective functions. Answers to these types of questions generally fall into a wide range of acceptability. Often correctness is determined subjectively based on the possibility or probability. Frequently the intention of these types of divergent questions is to stimulate imaginative and creative thought, or investigate cause and effect relationships, or provoke deeper thought or extensive investigations. And, one needs to be prepared for the fact that there may not be right or definitely correct answers to these questions. Divergent questions may also serve as larger contexts for directing inquiries, and as such may become what are know as "essential" questions that frame the content of an entire course. Example: In the love relationship of Hamlet and Ophelia, what might have happened to their relationship and their lives if Hamlet had not been so obsessed with the revenge of his father's death? Example of divergent questions that are both essential and divergent: Like many authors throughout time, Shakespeare dwells partly on the pain of love in Hamlet. Why is painful love so often intertwined with good literature. What is its never ending appeal to readers? 4. Evaluative - These types of questions usually require sophisticated levels of cognitive and/or emotional judgment. In attempting to answer evaluative questions, students may be combining multiple logical and/or affective thinking process, or comparative frameworks. Often an answer is analyzed at multiple levels and from different perspectives before the answerer arrives at newly synthesized information or conclusions. Examples:

a. What are the similarities and differences between the deaths of Ophelia when compared to that of Juliet? b. What are the similarities and differences between Roman gladiatorial games and modern football? c. Why and how might the concept of Piagetian schema be related to the concepts presented in Jungian personality theory, and why might this be important to consider in teaching and learning? 5. Combinations - These are questions that blend any combination of the above. What is meeting? In a meeting, two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics, often in a formal setting. What Is Parliamentary Procedure? It is a set of rules for conduct at meetings, that allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion. Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important? Because it's a time tested method of conducting business at meetings and public gatherings. It can be adapted to fit the needs of any organization. Today, Robert's Rules of Order newly revised is the basic handbook of operation for most clubs, organizations and other groups. So it's important that everyone know these basic rules! Organizations using parliamentary procedure usually follow a fixed order of business. Below is a typical example: Call to order. Roll call of members present. Reading of minutes of last meeting. Officers reports. Committee reports. Special orders --- Important business previously designated for consideration at this meeting.

Unfinished business. New business. Announcements. Adjournment. The method used by members to express themselves is in the form of moving motions. A motion is a proposal that the entire membership take action or a stand on an issue. Individual members can: Call to order. Second motions. Debate motions. Vote on motions. Characteristics of a Good Discussion The Basic Mechanics A. The Physical Environment - Be aware of the fact that the seating arrangement can influence an attempted discussion. B. Involvement - Try to involve everyone in the discussion, but at the same time realize that this may be threatening to some of the shy students. Asking Good Questions Questions are a fundamental part of discussion groups. Good discussions usually stem from asking quality questions. Questions can enhance the discussion, stifle interaction and even change the atmosphere of the group itself. Filling out relevant work related documents: Forms as work related document are filled out completely. Forms are accomplished with accuracy, neatness and courteousness