Communication Online Tutoring Training Workshop

The Learning CenterThe University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Listening

A Skill Critical to Success: Communication

Much of the information that you receive while you attend college will be provided to you in the lecture format.

Cultivating and improving your communication skills will assist you in understanding the lecture, taking accurate notes, participating in class discussions, and communicating with your instructors and peers.

The Differences Between Listening and Hearing

Listening is a learned, voluntary activity just like driving a car, painting a picture, or playing the piano.

Good listening takes practice, time, guidance, and active participation before you can become an active listener.

The Differences Between Listening and Hearing continued….

Hearing is not learned. It is automatic and involuntary.

Just because we hear a sound does not guarantee that we know what the sound was, or from where it came from.

What does it mean?

Listening with a purpose Different situations have different

listening styles Listening objectively

Open mind Listening constructively

“How can this be helpful to my life or education”

Obstacles to Listening

Prejudging

Talking

Bringing your emotions to the table

Speaking

Types of Speaking Opportunities

Addressing a class formally Delivering a carefully researched

position Giving an extemporaneous speech

about a topic you are handed just moments before

Expressive reading through the dramatic works of others

Group speaking projects: panel discussions or debate

Asking questions in class

Public Speaking Need Not Be Scary

Keep in mind… Anxiety usually

decreases when you begin speaking. Link to anxiety issues

Your listeners generally aren’t aware of your anxiety.

Some anxiety can be beneficial.

Practice makes perfect.

Good Speaking

Following directions

Selecting a topic of interest

Choosing a title Rehearsing

Opening Building Closing Handling audience

response Evaluating your

work

GUIDE Checklist

Get your audience’s attention You – don’t forget yourself Ideas, Ideas, Ideas Develop an organizational structure Exit gracefully and memorably

Using Your Voice and Body Language

Don’t hide behind the lectern Make eye contact Pay attention to volume, pitch

and speed of your voice Enunciate Consider your appearance

Writing

College Writing In almost every course you will

take in college, you are going to be asked to present your understanding of the course using the written word in tests, essays etc.

It is of paramount importance to your success at college that you master the skill of effective writing…

Writing: A Basic Skill That . . . allows you to get ideas on

paper, even if you don’t think you know the concepts.

enables you to see relationships between ideas.

requires you to organize your thoughts.

inspires creativity. enables you to share your

ideas.

Good idea!Write it down for posterity.

Five Steps to Better Writing

1. Pre-write to generate ideas. Brainstorm, listing, free-writing

2. Organize your ideas in an outline or essay map

3. Write or draft to develop a structure for your ideas as you put them on paper.

4. Rewrite or revise to polish your work.

5. Proofread for errors, then submit it.

Use your campus Writing Center or smartthinking.com for help with final

drafts.

Process those words!

Prewriting, Writing, & Rewriting Process Prewriting: The Idea Stage—

preparing to write by filling your mind with info from other sources

Writing: The Beginning of Organization—exploratory writing becomes a rough explanatory draft

Rewriting: The Polishing Stage—polish your work until you consider it ready for your public

Prepare Before You Write

Clarify your goalDefine your purposeSelect a topicNarrow your topicDevelop a working thesis

Master the Library

Become familiar with your library’s resources so you can locate information quickly.

Take a tour with a librarian, and get to know someone who can help you find what you need.

Your assignment may or may not specify which types of sources you can use.

Most instructors prefer that you read original sources to support your ideas.

They are also more impressed by journal articles that are peer reviewed —critically analyzed by experts in the field.

Use the Internet

Make use of the internet for your research projects, but do so with caution.

Don’t assume internet sources will be acceptable. Look for the following: Articles written by a recognized authority

in the field. A site that is supported by a reputable

host group. Articles that are peer reviewed.

Most instructors still favor library research that will help you locate printed publications and peer-reviewed sources.

However, cruising the net may help you narrow or broaden your topic.

Follow the Rules

Good grammar and spelling are the essential elements of a successful paper.

Instructors vary in how much they care about whether you follow specific guidelines (like those of the MLA or APA). Be clear as to the expectations of your instructor.

Keep in mind that mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation weaken the quality of formal writing.

Learn From Feedback

Read feedback from your instructor carefully so you can learn things that will help you in future assignments.

If you’re faced with lots of red ink take some time to recover before trying to learn allow yourself to be disappointed return to it with the intention of learning

If you only receive a grade, ask for more feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your paper.

Exercise Your Creativity

Consider a different slant for the project.

Do something other than the typical approach.

Create an engaging title. Use a thesaurus to expand

your word choice. Add interesting quotations.

Stay on Course

Don’t procrastinate Start writing from day one Write a little each day Make an outline Consider your project as a series of small tasks that

must be accomplished once over the course of a particular period of time.

Avoid writer’s block Reward yourself

Understand Plagiarism

Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s words or ideas as your own.

It is a serious academic offense. Instructors are very adept at noticing

plagiarism, both intentional or careless. Always make a conscious effort to translate

information into your own words and describe it based on your understanding.

Also, many instructors frown on being given a paper you wrote for an assignment in a different class.

Tips for Becoming a Better Writer (and Thinker!)

Write something every day. Dig for ideas and reject nothing at

first. Read good writing. Practice, practice, practice!

Communicating With Your Instructor & Class

Collaborative Learning Teams

Learners learn from one another as well as from instructors

Collaborative learning is by its very nature active – increase learning by involving you more actively

Two heads are better than one – more ideas, alternatives, new perspectives, better solutions

Smaller groups have better communication and better ideas

Develop stronger bonds with fellow students

Positive competition

Leadership skills developed

Learn to work with others

Making Learning Teams Productive Learning teams are more than study

groups

When forming – seek students who will contribute quality and diversity to the group

Keep the group small (4-6)

Hold individual team members personally accountable for their own learning and for contributing to the learning of teammates

The Many Uses of Learning Teams

Note taking teams Immediately after class share notes

Reading teams Compare highlighted or outlines notes

Library research teams Locate and share information

Team/instructor conferences Visit the instructor together to seek further

information

Team test results review Help identify sources of their mistakes and

identify correct answers

Using Study Groups in Math & Science

Compare lecture notes Teach each other Prepare for Tests Provide Makeup Notes Ask the Right Questions

Working with Your College Teachers

Make it a point to attend class regularly and on time

Save your cuts for emergencies

Sit near the front and speak up

See your instructor outside class when you need help

Share one or more “one minute papers” with your instructor

If Things Go Wrong Between You and a Teacher

Can’t tolerate an instructor Get to know the teacher as a person – set up a meeting Check the drop/add date If the situation is not resolved and you can’t drop see the

department head Move up the chain if this does not work Never let a bad instructor deter you from college

Disagree with grade Make an appointment with the instructor Never insist on a grade change Ask for clarification in incorrect answers Ask for a redo

Sexual harassment or sexism See your department head (dean of students) if an

instructor makes an inappropriate or threatening remarks

Roadways to Success by James C. Williamson, Debra A. McCandrew, and Charles T. Muse, Sr., Pearson Education

Focus on College Success by Constance Staley, Wadsworth Cengage Learning

References

Take the Quiz!To receive Tutor Training credit for your CRLA certification requirements, please

complete the Quiz via the link below, and sign, print and bring the completed form to

The Learning Center coordinator - Lee 204b

COMMUNICATION QUIZ