Understanding Communication

• Communication has progressed in the last five years, advancing with innovations in technology and social media
• Communication is central to life and culture, and is key for building and strengthening relationships
• Effective communication depends on the ability to communicate effectively
• The purpose of this lesson is to understand the key ideas in communication

Communication Process Components

• Source: The sender who thoughtfully creates the message
• In mass communication, sources can be influencers, gatekeepers, or agenda-setters
• Message: The ideas or thoughts conveyed by the sender to influence their audience
• Messages can be simple or complex
• Channel: The medium through which the message is conveyed
• It is the responsibility of the sender and/or receiver to choose the best channel
• Receiver: The recipient or target of the message
• Receivers are expected to be influenced by the source/sender
• Feedback: The receiver's reaction and/or response to the message
• Environment: The place, feeling, mood, mindset, and condition of both sender and receiver
• Includes the physical setup, space, time, and circumstances
• Context: The sender's "constructed reality" determining how the message is packaged for the receiver
• The goal is to ensure the message is agreeable to the target audience
• Interference: Barriers or difficulties preventing effective communication
• Includes issues, states, or nature of sender and receiver's physical, psychological, cultural, social, economic, and political character, as well as linguistic competencies

Types of Communication

• Communication is classified according to mode, context, purpose, and style

Communication Mode

• Effective communication blends verbal and nonverbal elements
• Verbal communication uses words to interchange information through speech or writing
• Offers clear understanding and immediate feedback
• Nonverbal communication communicates without words through body language, facial expressions, sign language and symbols
• Visual Communication uses visuals to convey information
• Includes signs, symbols, imagery, maps, and graphics
• Interpretation of visuals is crucial

Communication Context

• Intrapersonal Communication: Talking to oneself (inner talk, monologue, or dialogue)
• Aids in practicing what to say
• Interpersonal Communication: Interactive exchange between people
• Extended Communication: Using electronic media for participation despite distance
• Transmits messages quickly
• Organizational Communication: Focuses on communication's role in organizational contexts
• Systems of communication should be created
• Rules or standards for communication protocol should be made clear
• Intercultural Communication: Communication between people with different linguistic, religious, ethnic, social, and professional backgrounds

Purpose and Style

• Formal Communication (Official): Communication in which the sender follows a pre-defined channel
• Employs formal language orally or in writing
• Aims to inform, persuade, or entertain
• Informal Communication (Grapevine): Communication in which the sender doesn't follow pre-defined channels
• Does not employ formal language
• Involves personal and ordinary conversations

Modes of Communication

• Refers to the channel through which one expresses their communicative intent and conveys thoughts/feelings
• Modes include face-to-face, video, audio, or text-based

Face-to-Face

• Preferred mode because it is effective
• Informal or casual conversation between people
• Consider how to speak, what to speak, when to speak, and to whom
• Can note visual cues through facial expressions

Video

• Cameras used to communicate online
• Used with Messenger, Facetime, Skype, and Google Meet
• Convenient for connecting with individuals or groups despite distance
• Regional time differences pose challenges

Audio

• The speaker's voice is heard
• Listening to English native speaker may be challenging
• Can't see physical or body language

Text-based

• Wider reach, quickly disseminates information to a bigger audience
• Does not necessarily take place in real time
• Examples include e-mails, chat, and forums
• Explore various modes to improve message delivery