Why do we communicate? This question looks quite simple, but it has more to it than meets the eyes. It is a question that many people would not sit down and ask themselves yet it is an activity that we indulge in on a daily basis. It just comes out as something that is obvious hence people do not take the initiative to ask themselves of what it is all about. Sometimes it is even an activity that we do in an unconscious state as the people around us can tell what we are thinking without even hearing any words from our mouth. Adler et al. (2014) have asserted that communication carries along varied meanings. This is to say that the term can be used to identify different things from presidential speeches to messages on T-shirts, from chimpanzee behavior to computer code among others. As a result, communication can be regarded as “the process of creating meaning through symbolic interaction” (Adler et al., 2014, p.5).

There are various aspects that push people to communicate. Some of these aspects are internal while others are externally instigated. This is because communication tends to satisfy varied needs that people possess (Adler et al., 2014). Among them are identity needs, physical needs, practical needs and social needs. On physical needs, studies have shown that the absence of satisfying communication can result in a deplorable life. When it comes to identity needs, people are able to understand whether they are attractive, smart, and skillful among other things by communicating with other people based on how they react. On the social needs aspect, communication helps people to interact with each other and derive the relevant satisfaction that comes with it. This goes on for the practical needs whereby people have the ability to tell what they want through communication like telling the doctor which part of the body is hurting.

Some people might ask what is the need of studying communication theory in a course that is focused on education. “Why do I need to take a communication theory class?” “Isn’t this course irrelevant and just a way of tutors trying to add to our workload?” These are questions I overheard two people asking each other last week as I was passing through the university premises. It got my attention since I was taking a similar class during this period. I was even amazed to find this question being included in the first lesson of the class. In my opinion, communication is something that is quite relevant to almost all the fields of study. When it comes to education courses, it is important for teachers to learn various communication skills. Lack of adequate communication skills will result in a negative impact on the teacher’s personal and professional life. This is because a teacher might have adequate knowledge regarding a certain topic, but how they present it determines whether the students will comprehend (Garcia, 2009). Students tend to have varying levels of weaknesses and strengths, and it is through favorable communications skills that a teacher can introduce effective and creative solutions to the problems that the students are encountering. A teacher that communicates effectively with the students can be an inspiration for them to participate and learn more in class. These aspects demonstrate why it is imperative to study communication theory even while undertaking an education core course.

With regards to education, “communicative competence” should be more about effective communication. It should be more of achieving an individual’s goals in a manner that enhances relationships within the contexts that they occur. An educator should have the knowledge that there is no an ideal way of communicating. This is because a given style of communication might be successful in a certain situation but colossal in another. There is also the need of understanding that competence in communication is both situational and relational. This is why there cannot be an establishment of a universal sense of communicative competence.

This lesson was very informative. It brings out communication as a complex concept than most of us would view it. The lesson probes various aspects of communication that leads to one thinking deeply regarding the concept. The lesson has also tried to bring out the fact that people can be effective communicators despite them using different communication mechanisms. It is more about the context at hand.

The videos included in this lesson are also very informative with regards to communication prospects. In the video “texting saves lives,” Nancy Lublin has brought out a communication mechanism that would fit in well with kids in the society. She advocates for texting since people within this age group are quite comfortable with the mechanism and are likely to open up and converse with ease. This is something that teachers and parents should consider in order to enhance effective communication with the relevant kids. Adopting what they feel comfortable with is likely to make them competent communicators. The video on “love letter to strangers” also plays a significant role in exploring communication prospects. When people try to communicate using letters in the digital era, it goes out to send a whole different message. It shows how they are into what they are trying to put across and it also shows their level of interest towards the other person. This is because of the time they have put into writing the letters and ensuring that they get to the desired parties. It is just a way of showing their positive feelings indirectly.

References

Adler, R., Rodman, G., & DuPré, A. (2014). Understanding human communication (12th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garcia, H. (2009). Power of Communication: Skills to Build Trust, Inspire Loyalty, and Lead Effectively. New Jersey: FT Press.

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