Self Reflection of Unit Concerning Communication of Various Types with Various People - Coursework Example

Self Reflection Assessment [Unit Name and Code] [Your Name] [Student Number] [Unit Completion Date] Introduction [Unit Outline] This unit is all about communication of various types with various people in different settings and situations. For example it features communication with the opposite gender, across cultures, online and communication with team members. Various types of messages were also taught. It is about the modes of communication and the right behavior in communication. Task(s) [Unit Tasks] On weekly basis we were supposed to hand in mini reports of our group work to show our progress. Assessment items included all the things we had learnt in the month including the practical activities. We were also expected to attend at least 3 workshops in the entire unit. Besides attending we had to participate actively in all of them so that we could master what we had been taught in class. Online lessons were also part of the unit. Learning activities [Activities and Processes] Week 1 We started with meetings online, technology and interpersonal communication We were exposed to a variety of theories, such as emotional intelligence (EI) and intelligence Quotient (IQ) (Buddy et al 2009, p.21). I read chapter 1 of the book, communication in business which explained what technology in communication is all about and its purposes. I also read about interpersonal communication through which I got to learn the importance of listening. In summary I learnt from Week 1 that technology can be combined with communication to solve problems in business (Buddy et al 2009, p.25). Week 2 Started with team work. I read chapter 1 of the book, communication in business which explained the advantages and disadvantages of teams, team communication and roles. I also read about conflicts in teams and groups. In summary I learnt from Week 1 that teams have their good and bad sides, communication is important in teams, roles should be understood and conflict is normal but too much of it is dangerous. Week 3 We started with oral and online presentations I read chapter 1 of the book, business communication which explained how to prepare oral presentations (Association for Business Communication 2011, p. 20). I also read about online presentations. In summary I learnt from Week 1 how to prepare and manage oral and online presentations. Week 4 We started with routine and positive messages I read chapter 1 of the book, business communication which explained the channels of communication I also read about the five Ss of goodwill messages In summary I learnt from Week 1 how to create positive and routine messages Week 5 Negative messages We were exposed to a variety of theory, such as BRBG I read chapter 1 of the journal, Association for business communication which explained the reasons for studying negative messages I also read on the ways of composing negative messages In summary I learnt from Week 1 how to communicate using negative messages Week 6 Persuasive messages We were exposed to a variety of theory, such as basic expectancy I read chapter 1 of the book, business communication which explained the importance of persuasive message skills (Dianne 2010, p. 81). I also read about understanding and using persuasion effectively In summary I learnt from Week 1 how to create and use a persuasive message Week 7 Report writing and poster development I read chapter 1 of the book, essentials of business communication which explained the way of communication through reports I also read about creating posters (Association for Business Communication 2011, p. 76) In summary I learnt from Week 1 how to make a poster and write reports Week 8 Conflict and negotiation I read chapter 1 of the book, communication in business which explained the reasons for studying conflict and negotiation (Dianne 2010, p. 71). I also read about the causes of conflicts In summary I learnt from Week 1 about conflicts and how to solve them through negotiation Week 9 Behavioural Protocols and Ethical Communication We were exposed to a variety of theories, such as, Darley’s Law (Dianne 2010, p. 75). I read chapter 1 of the book, business communication and its types which explained communication at the new place of work I also read about how to understand ethical behavior at the place of work In summary I learnt from Week 1 about ethical behavior when communicating Week 10 Intercultural communication We were exposed to a variety of theories, such as self reference criterion I read chapter 1 of the book, business communication which explained what culture is I also read about how to improve intercultural communication skills In summary I learnt from Week 1 how culture relates with communication and how business and personal communication is impacted by various cultural variables (Pawelski 2005, p. 57). Week 11 Emotional Intelligence and Gendered Communications We were exposed to a variety of theory, such as, Mayer and Salovey’s ability theory I read chapter 1 of the book, essentials of business communication which explained the meaning of intelligence and IQ I also read about why people with a high IQ do not succeed always In summary I learnt from Week 1 the importance of emotions and communication across gender Resources Bibliography/References I used the resources below in this unit. They include books, journals and websites. Adnan (2008), Business communication and its types; (Online) Available at: http://www.rizwanashraf.com/2008/02/04/business-communication-and-its-types/ Retrieved 29 May 2012. Association for Business Communication (2011). Journal of business communication. 2 (12) Sage. Buddy et al. (2009) Business communication (8th Ed. ed.). Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning.  Dianne S. (2010). Business communication (2 e[d]. ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Centage Learning. Guffey E.M, Loewy D. (2012). Essentials of business communication. Cengage Learning Noupe (2010) 12 secrets of effective business communication. (Online) Available at: http://www.noupe.com/how-tos/12-secrets-of-effective-business- communication.html Retrieved 29 May 2012. Pawelski B. (2005). Communication in business. Oldenbourg Verlag Self Evaluation [Self Evaluation] Team-based evaluation and reflection Martin was the most active of all the team members. He was a hands-on kind of person and was very ready to give guidance where the rest of the team members were lagging behind. His input enabled the team to complete the assignment in good time. Craig showed some interest at the beginning but later sat back. He was only active at the end of the work since he played a big role in compiling the final report. It looked like the only thing he understood best was how to deal with making reports. Nevertheless he was so encouraging and through his words he gave us morale to soldier on even when things seemed to get a bit tough (Guffey & Loewy 2012, p. 28). Maryline was hard working but would not volunteer to do some tasks without being called upon to do so by other team members. She always believed that there was another team member who knew more than what she knew. She was less confident with herself but her work proved to be good whenever she was called upon to step in. Nancy was so resourceful because she seemed to understand some of the difficult things that others failed to know. She knew of so many resources that we needed to refer to and she helped the team to find them. She also knew how to extract just the right information from these resources (Noupe 2012). Workshop evaluation and reflection (online and face-to-face as applicable) I attended the face to face workshops on communication ethics and writing reports My contribution at the workshops was to present a paper on the communication behavior at the place of work I learnt that ethical communication is very important in a new work place for various reasons I also got to learn that communication is very important in shaping relationships with the new colleagues. Individual evaluation and reflection Reflecting on my own experience and the skills that I have learnt, I discovered that I have gained a lot of information from this unit. I was particularly good at answering questions since I got to understand almost everything that we covered in the unit. Areas for improvement include maximum concentration since there were moments when I was carried away and failed to capture certain things I also need to improve on my note taking skills because I discovered that certain concepts were missing from my notes yet my friends had them (Adan 2008, p. 11) Online evaluation and reflection I was expected to attend online classes for a few hours every week during the course I found the online work was a bit hard because it required a lot of commitment I learnt the following: I need to discipline myself when it comes to online classes, I should try to cultivate a positive attitude towards these classes and I should work harder in them. Conclusion [Summary of what you have learnt] MMH299 is a unit that exposed us to many issues about communication. We were expected to attend classes, carry out team work and present reports, attend workshops, online classes, write assessment tests and finally sit exams. The assessments tested me on what I had learnt so far in the unit in the time period that had elapsed. I have learnt the importance of communication in business and how to communicate well. Read More