Introduction:
Welcome to Module 1
We learn to communicate through practice, and through coming to an understanding of
barriers to effective communication in ourselves and in others. In general, we are less likely
to misinterpret the words and actions of people who share similar experience, history and
cultural backgrounds. This might include people of our own age or those who have had
similar experiences. If we are in an online environment, people who play similar games,
belong to similar groups and are familiar with particular digital media platforms will
communicate in a similar manner, using shared shorthand and idioms. In order to
comprehend people who are less similar to us we must consciously develop a set of skills and
ways of making sense of their ideas and actions.
As you progress through the course you will first of all develop a better understanding of
your own communication styles, strengths and weaknesses. You will learn micro-skills that
enhance your ability to give full attention to another person, to reflect meaning and feeling
and to challenge and apologise appropriately.
Non-verbal cues contribute enormously to understanding providing context and extra layers
of significance that maybe lost, hidden or obfuscated in situations where you are not in face
to face contact with another person or people. Digital environments are places in which nonverbal cues are typically compromised.
This subject is designed to enhance your ability to take notice of subtleties in communication,
imagery and metaphor, the ways in which you make meaning and the means by which you
reframe, normalise, challenge, question and develop empathy. The subject also covers key
skills such as tentativeness and the ability to differentiate between the content of the story
you are hearing and the accompanying feelings in order to help you develop meaningful
conversations.
In therapeutic communication, you can often encounter resistance, avoidance, hostility and
anger. These points of conflict, may be barriers to effective communication, however they
also offer an opportunity to help people work through communication processes that occur in
other areas of their everyday lives. An understanding of conflict resolution provides the
professional with tools to work effectively in these more challenging circumstances.
You can develop a skill set that will help you in your communication practice but an
understanding of the wider social and global context is also necessary. Anti-oppressive
practice, for example, requires an understanding of the historical, socio-political, and
environmental forces at work in a society. An understanding of power in the therapeutic
relationship, where the therapist is usually the person in the position of power, is also a key.
Taking the social and global context into consideration you will consider the ethics of
professional practice. Can you confidently promise confidentiality? How do you establish and
maintain professional boundaries?
In this module you will:





Develop our understanding of the subjective nature of perception in communication
Examine barriers to communication
Consider the challenges of electronically mediated communication
Be introduced to the concepts of power in the therapeutic relationship, confidentiality,
professional boundaries and diversity
Reflect on your own communication styles and plan for change.
This Module will help you achieve the following outcomes:
1. b) Demonstrate a critical awareness of barriers to verbal and non‐verbal
communication in oneself and others
2. d) Critically reflect on personal interactive styles and plan strategies to improve
interpersonal communication
Time Management:
Your workload expectation is 10 hours for this module (week).


Facilitated study: 3 hours. This consists of attending class, responding to facilitator
feedback.
Personal Study: 7 hours. This includes essential time spent on pre-reading and
viewing materials, assessment progression and learning activities.
Assessment Progression:
Assessment 1 is due at the end of Module 6 (Please refer to the assessment briefs in the
assessment area for more detail).
Tasks to undertake in this module to prepare for Assessment 1 include readings, tasks, and
activities 1.1-1.3.
You can prepare for this assessment by utilising the learning resources of this module, which
include readings, videos, and learning activities to enhance your understanding of the key
concepts.
The work you undertake in the discussion forums and in your personal reflective journal will
provide you with materials to complete this assessment.
Class Expectation:


You are expected to have worked through the essential learning resources and
activities for this module before attending the facilitated session (face-to-face or
online session) – this enables informed discussion and full participation in learning
activities.
Participate in all scheduled facilitated sessions.
o This time is intended to be used by you and your learning facilitator to work
through activities and engage in discussion about the module content.
o These sessions provide a space for you to raise questions about the module
content and seek guidance on writing your assessments.
o You will review, explore and discuss more deeply the information presented in
the learning resources.
Summary of Module Content:
This popular quote by Alan Greenspan sums up the content that has been have this week
nicely, 'I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I'm not sure you
realize that what you heard is not what I meant' (Keyes, 2006). Communication is a
subjective process, as we often have an idea in our heads about what we think others intend to
say, which can be mediated through our own internal filters. The activities and readings this
week and in the following four weeks are designed to facilitate your own understanding and
development of your personal communication style. They relate specifically to assessment
one and are the foundation for your understanding of topics covered later in the subject.
Keyes, R. (2006). The quote verifier. The Antioch Review, 64(2), 256-266.
https://lesa.on.worldcat.org/oclc/5543707302
Additional Learning Resources:
Please watch the one minute video located at the bottom of this web page http://www.cultureat-work.com/perception.html
Reference:
Beer, J.E. (2003) Perception in communication. {Video file] Retrieved from
http://www.culture-at-work.com/perception.html