Communication
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During the course Educational Technology and Communication, we looked at a vast number of communication theories and their implications in the real-world. According to Dean C. Barnlund communication is defined as "a word that describes the process of creating a meaning." (Barnlund, 1962). The way we learn to communicate is crucial especially since technology is changing the way we send and receive messages. I think that learning about various communication theories will allow us to determine how to communicate effectively as well as what barriers are put forth by technology. As a teacher, this will help me to use different strategies and tools to communicate with my students in a way that they are able to decode the message that I am sending out and successfully provide feedback. Throughout my M.Ed. I have used a variety of technological tools such as WebCT, Blackboard, e-mail and Adobe Connect to communicate with my peers and professors. This type of communication is called computer-mediated communication (CMC). Through my personal experience with using different modes of communications and learning about communication theories, I have learned about how technology is transforming the world in terms of the way we communicate. Barnlund called this the "global village" where through technology we are becoming closer because of how easily we can send and receive messages. (Samovar, L., Porter, R., Barnlund, D.,1988).
A Transational Model of Communication
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The Transactional Model of Communication proposed by Barnlund states that giving and receiving messages is reciprocal (Barnlund, 1962). This means that both communicators (the sender and the receiver) are responsible of the effect and effectiveness of the communication. People do not simply send meaning from one to the other then back again. They need to build a shared meaning of the message. In addition, both verbal and non-verbal behavioural cues, the environmental and noise are a part of the message. Barnlund broke down communication into two types: interpersonal (encoding and decoding messages withing one's self) and intrapersonal (encoding and decoding messages with another). Furthermore, he established seven communication postulates.
Communication Postulates:
Communication Postulates:
- Communication describes the evolution of meaning
- Communication is dynamic
- Communication is continuous
- Communication is circular
- Communication is unrepeatable
- Communication is complex
- Communication is irreversible
Artifact 1
This artifact was a presentation that my group and I completed for our Educational Technology and Communication class. We thoroughly researched Barnlund's Transactional Communication Theory and created a powerpoint presentation which we presented to the class. The presentation includes definitions, intra-personal and inter-personal communication, communication in terms of a "global village" and implications to learning environments.
Artifact 2
This second artifact was completed in the same group as the Transactional Communication Theory presentation. For this assignment, we were to apply Barnlund's theory to a real-life situation. The case study that we created was based on outsourcing and the communication barriers felt by a difference in cultures. In addition, we also applied Barnlund's theory to an educational setting where there is a misunderstanding due to cultural cues. This artifact was important to include because as a teacher, I could apply Barnlund's theory to students who have come to Canada from a different country. It would be beneficial to me to see how they would perceive the verbal and non-verbal messages that I am sending out. This would help in lowering communication barriers.
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References
Barnlund,D. (1962). Toward A Meaning-Centered Philosophy Of Communication. Journal of Communication.12.4 197-211.
Samovar, L., Porter, R., Barnlund, D. (1988). Communication in a Global Village. Intercultural Communication: A Reader. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 5-14.
Samovar, L., Porter, R., Barnlund, D. (1988). Communication in a Global Village. Intercultural Communication: A Reader. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 5-14.