Effective Communication: Key to Successful Teaching & Learning - Essay Sample

Introduction

According to Wilson (2014, p. 72), effective communication is one of the most critical strategies that contemporary educators rely on to ensure proper teaching and assessment of their children. In education, communication entails sharing of information between different stakeholders, including teachers, students, the government, parents, and the community to achieve improved learning. Therefore, ineffective communication can not only lead to conflicts in learning institutions but also contribute to poor knowledge acquisition among learners (Machin 2016, p. 102; Ruler, 2018, p. 367). This paper provides a detailed discussion and analysis of different communication theories, principles, and models and how to apply them.

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Analysis

The first model of communication, the engineering model or the mathematical communication theory, was conceptualized and developed by Shannon and Weaver 1949 (Al-Fedaghi, 2012, p. 12; (Moulana, 2018, p. 3). This model gives the most appropriate techniques that educators can use to convey information to students through a predetermined channel. The model played a crucial role in ensuring that all communication occurred in an efficient way. In 1960, David Berlo's research led to the expansion of this conventional engineering model by establishing the infamous sender-message-channel-receiver communication theory. This model is a simple and straight-forward application of individual-based communication, which includes the source of information, its encoder, the message shared across, the channel used, and the receiver. Berlo also outlined some key factors that affect the process of sharing information between two individuals (Wilson, 2014, p. 74; Machin 2016, p. 102). Such variables include communication skills, level of awareness, attitude, social system, and cultural system.

On the other hand, Eric Berne, a famous Canadian psychiatrist developed the theory of transactional analysis as a strategic aim towards explaining how humans behave (Al-Fedaghi, 2012, p. 14; Ruler, 2018, p. 369). Berne's theory resembled that of Sigmund Freud but mirrored some predetermined distinctions. Freud emphasized on the use of talk therapy as a way of understanding an individual's personality while Bern believed that the best way to discover insight was by assessing and analyzing a person's social interactions. Conversely, Wilbur Schramm developed his model in 1954, depicting a two-way circular form of communication between a sender and a receiver (Machin 2016, p. 104; Ruler, 2018, p. 372). . Schramm emphasized the process of encoding and decoding a message.

How to Put Different Communication Models, Principles, and Theories Into Practice

According to Wilson (2014, p. 77), different communication models and theories can be practiced in various ways. Teachers in the school setting can make effective use of Shannon and Weaver's model of communication by ensuring that they use the best channels to relay information to a large group of students. Social media platforms such as Facebook, school official websites, Twitter, Youtube, and Instagram are increasingly becoming the best learning sites that teachers can use to enhance student's understanding. Additionally, using tools such as cameras and microphones in the classroom is critical in ensuring that students grasp the concepts being shared across by their teachers. On the other hand, teachers can apply Berlo's communication model by enhancing one-on-one communication with their students (Al-Fedaghi, 2012, p. 17; Moulana, 2018, p.10). This approach is critical in generating a comprehensive understanding of the students' strengths and weakness before developing key strategies to address associated challenges.

However, teachers should enhance student's communication skills, increase their overall level of awareness on what they are going to teach, and create a positive learning attitude to effectively apply Berlo's model (Machin 2016, p. 107; Ruler, 2018, p. 375). Consequently, the best way of practicing the principles outlined in Berne's model is by combining the talk approach with social interactions. This approach is also critical in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of learners by giving them adequate time to attend lectures while participating in group discussions at the same time. However, emphasizing on the significance of group discussions could embody Bern's principles more than concentrating on the talking approach. Lastly, educators can apply Schramm's model not only in intrapersonal but also interpersonal communication. Teachers should, therefore, consider communication to be a continuous process consisting of messages and feedbacks. Consequently, both the student and the teacher need to be a sender and a receiver (Al-Fedaghi, 2012, p. 19; Moulana, 2018, p.10). As a result, issuing oral assignments and tests to gauge student's performance after a lesson is an effective strategy towards practicing the ideas outlined in Schramm's model of communication.

Conclusion

There are different communication models, principles, and theories. These models are commonly used by contemporary educational stakeholders to enhance students' learning processes. However, the choice of the model depends on the user and the intended purpose. Each model has its benefits and setbacks, which must be considered before deciding on the most appropriate one as discussed in this paper.

References

Al-Fedaghi, S. 2012, A Conceptual Foundation for the Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication. International Journal of Soft Computing, 7(1), 12-19.

Machin, L. 2016. A Complete Guide to the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training. UK: Critical Publishing.

Moulana, H. 2018. Human communication theory: a five-dimensional model. Journal of International Communication, 25(4), 3-33.

Ruler, B. V. 2018. Communication Theory: An Underrated Pillar on Which Strategic Communication Rests. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 12(4), 367-381.

Wilson, L. 2014. Practical Teaching - A Guide to Teaching in the Education and Training Sector. UK: Cengage.