CO 301 Grantham University Communicating Effectively in Groups and Teams Discussion

CO301 Intro to Communication Theory
Week 1-8 Discussions
Each week, you will be asked to respond to the prompt or prompts in the discussion forum.
Your initial post should be 75-150 words in length, and is due on Sunday. By Tuesday, you
should respond to two additional posts from your peers. If you have not done so lately, please
review the Rules of Discussion.
Week 1
Managing Identity
Question A
Please introduce yourself to the class. How would you rate yourself as a communicator on a
scale of 1-10? Remember, “communication” includes both oral and written communication.
Question B
How do you alter your behavior to manage your identity? Do you have one “face” or identity
for communicating with family members, another for the workplace or for hanging out with
friends, and one for a romantic relationship? What is unique about each of these identities?
What are you managing by changing your “face” for each type of communication? Do those
faces represent different aspects of your self-concept?
In your replies to others, compare the “face” that is used in the initial response with the “face”
you might choose in similar circumstances. Why would you choose that “face”? What does
that tell you about your own self-concept?
View your discussion rubric.
Week 2
If you have not already, watch the Week 2 MindTap video “Reflecting on Nonverbal
Communication.” You can access the video through the Weekly Content for Week 2.
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id=_63051_1&content_id=_5282
488_1
Reflecting on the video, how do the nonverbal messages (for example, gestures, facial
expressions, body movements, nonverbal cues) of the people in this scenario affect the way in
which their messages are received? How could changing specific nonverbal messages have
altered the outcome? How does your interpretation affect your perception of the
interaction? Be specific in your response.
In replies to others, examine the specific choices made to change nonverbal messages and
compare and contrast them to choices you might have made.
View your discussion rubric.
Week 3
Texting in Language
Watch the John McWhorter Ted Talk Video “Txtng is killing language. Jk!!!”
What do you think of Mr. McWhorter’s view of language, and the place of texting in
language? How has texting changed the way you communicate—or do you text at all? On
balance, do you see texting as positive or negative? Is texting a benefit to interpersonal
communication or a barrier?
In replies to others, compare your views on texting with the initial responder’s. What do you
see as positives and negatives of texting?
View your discussion rubric.
Week 4
Reflecting on Listening
If you have not already, watch the Week 4 MindTap video “Reflecting on Listening.” You can
access the video through the Weekly Content for Week 4.
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id=_63051_1&content_id=_5282
504_1
By objectively listening with his eyes and ears, Randall has been able to provide useful
information to Jacob. Using terminology from the text, explain what each of the gentlemen did
well or not so well when it came to listening. What lessons can you draw from this
conversation for your own listening behaviors? How have your listening behaviors in the past
been barriers to effective communication?
In responding to others, consider how your own approach to listening affects your
interpretation of the effectiveness of the examples, and compare that to what the initial
responder discovered.
View your discussion rubric.
Week 5 Discussion
Relationships
Think about two relationships in your life, one long-term and one more recent. What rules
apply in each relationship? Have the rules evolved over time in that relationship? What is
different about the longer-term relationship compared to the more recent one? Consider
levels of self-disclosure in each relationship. Are they the same, or are there different levels
based on the length of the relationship?
In responding to others, compare the rules in your own relationships with those of the initial
response. Do your rules lead to altered relationships?
View your discussion rubric.
Week 6 Discussion
Conflict Resolution
View the William Ury video “The walk from ‘no’ to ‘yes’”.
What are two principles of conflict resolution you can take from this video? How do they relate
to the principles from the text? Provide an example of where you might have used one or both
of these principles to have gained a better result in a conflict you experienced in the past.
In replies to others, consider whether you might have used the same approach to conflict
resolution as in the example, or whether another approach would better fit your personal
approach to conflict.
View your discussion rubric.
Week 7 Discussion
Group Experiences
View the Mariano Sigman video “How can groups make good decisions?”
Think about the groups you have been a part of. Which of the problems Sigman pointed out were present in
groups? What could you, as a group member, have done differently to improve the result for the group?
In replies to others, compare your group experiences with those in the initial response. Be specific about pro
and solutions you experienced.
View your discussion rubric.
Week 8 Discussion
Reflecting on Communicating Effectively in Groups and Teams
If you have not already, watch the Week 8 MindTap video “Reflecting on Communicating
Effectively in Groups and Teams.” You can access the video through the Weekly Content for
Week 8.
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id=_63051_1&content_id=_5282
534_1
There are many benefits to working in groups. Consider your last group experience. What were
the benefits of working with others? Drawbacks? What role did the leader play? Having the
knowledge you now possess about groups, how might things have turned out differently had
you applied concepts covered in this chapter? Be specific in your explanation.
In responding to others’ postings, consider whether there were other ways the situation might
have been approached which might have yielded different results.
View your discussion rubric.
CO301 Intro to Communication Theory
Week 1-8 Reading & Lectures
Week1
https://ng.cengage.com/static/nb/ui/evo/index.html?deploymentId=549801193452312685594249
8803&eISBN=9781305505292&id=600263116&snapshotId=1390149&
W1 Reading: Chapter 1
W1 Reading: Chapter 2
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/05/why-self-compassion-works-better-thanself-esteem/481473/
•
•
•
•
•
Please select the links below to open and watch your Week 1 video lectures.
Modeling the Communication Process
Communication and Self
The argument culture
Perception and reality
Interpersonal communication – Perception of self and others
Week 2 Info
W2 Reading: Chapter 3
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id=_63051_1&content_id=_528
2485_1
•
•
•
•
Please select the links below to open and watch your Week 2 video lectures.
Nonverbal Communication
Your body language shapes who you are
A fun guide to nonverbal communication
How to read anyone instantly – 18 psychological tips
Week 3
Week 3 – Language
Chapter 4
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id =_63051_1&content_id=_528
2493_1
•
•
•
•
•
Please select the links below to open and view this week’s lectures:
What Dialect do you speak? A map of American English
Blurring the line between language and culture
Please select the link below to open and watch your Week 3 video lecture.
Language
How language shapes the way we think
Mapping how Americans talk – Soda vs. pop vs. Coke
Week 4
Week 4 – Listening
Chapter 5
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id=_63051_1&content_id=_528
2500_1
Please select the links below to open and view this week’s lectures:
•
•
•
Active Listening: Hear what people are really saying
Listening activities for the workplace
•
•
•
•
Please select the links below to open and watch your Week 4 video lectures.
Listening
The listening bias
5 ways to listen better
Take the brief quiz at Mind Tools, “How good are your listening skills? Understanding
someone’s entire message,” to evaluate yourself as a listener.
Week 5
Week 5 – Relationships
Chapter 6
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id =_63051_1&content_id=_528
2510_1
•
•
•
Please select the links below to open and view this week’s lectures:
Is it lust or love? How to tell and how you can have both at once.
Self-disclosures increase attraction
Social penetration theory
•
•
•
•
•
Please select the link below to open and watch your Week 5 video lecture.
Interpersonal Relationships
Review Reflect, Interpersonal communication: Self-disclosure
The Johari Window model – Explained with Sheldon Cooper
Week 6
Week 6 – Conflict
Chapter 7
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id =_63051_1&content_id=_528
2517_1
•
•
•
•
•
Please select the link below to open and view this week’s lecture:
Differences
“Masculine” and “feminine” styles of handling conflict
Generational difference in the workplace
Cultural communication barriers in the workplace
Gender barriers to communication
Please select the links below to open and watch your Week 6 video lectures.
•
•
•
The walk from “no” to “yes”
Conflict Resolution Techniques
How men & women communicate differently
Week 7
Week 7 – Group Communication
Chapter 8
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id =_63051_1&content_id=_528
2524_1
•
•
•
Please select the link below to open and view this week’s lecture:
Characteristics of good work team members
Please select the links below to open and watch your Week 7 video lectures.
Fundamentals of Group Communication
Teams versus groups
How to speak like a leader
Small group roles: Breakdown
5 different types of leadership styles
•
•
•
•
•
Week 8
Week 8 – Productivity in Groups and Teams
Chapter 9
https://lms.grantham.edu/webapps/bbgs-mindlinksBBLEARN/app/launch?destination=mindlinks_launch&course_id =_63051_1&content_id=_528
2531_1
•
Select the links below to open and view your weekly lectures.
Some characteristics of effective work groups
•
•
6 ways successful teams are built to last
•
•
•
•
•
Select the links below to view your weekly video lectures.
Enhancing Group Processes
How to turn a group of strangers into a team
Dare to Disagree
Eight Characteristics of Effective Teams