Leaning into Communication Styles

We all have those students in class who seem to be the only ones talking on any given day, constantly sharing their opinion and talking over others. And we all have the students who sit back quietly, leaving us wondering if they are actually taking in anything being said.

Teaching communications this term for the first time, I decided to do an activity with the students to help them (and me) explore and consider the type of communicator they are in comparison to their peers. I originally got the idea from this document of communications activities by Peter Garber, which has been a life saver for the class!

After reading his idea, I added a bit onto it to make it fit my teaching style and get the kids practicing their communication skills. The purpose of the assignment was to get students to think about how not everyone communicates the way they do and to show them the importance of considering alternate perspectives.

I began the lesson by posting a question on Google Classroom asking students to choose the style of communication they believed fit them best: outspoken and direct, quiet and reserved, thoughtful and analytical, or friendly and unassuming.

The students selected their answer without talking to others in the class so not to be influenced by their peers. Then, I looked at the students in each category and placed them into groups of 3-4 students. And yes, I was very nervous about having a group of ALL students together that identified as outspoken and direct, fearing that they would be a rambunctious group and be off-task, but they proved me wrong. Both of the groups covering outspoken and direct actually finished before any of the other groups!

Once in their groups, they started working on their assignment. Each group was given a poster paper, and they had to include the following on it:

1. Type of Communicator

2. Traits of Communication Style

3. Common Misunderstandings

4. Advantages

5. Disadvantages

Most groups were easily able to identify their traits, but they struggled with the other areas. I loved this activity because it gave them time to talk with people similar to themselves AND it gave me a chance to sit with each group and get to know them better. Below are some questions I would ask students to inspire ideas:

1. When you think of how you communicate, how do people often misinterpret what you mean or who you are?

2. Because you're quiet and reserved/outspoken and direct in class, what wrong opinions do your teachers usually have about you?

3. How does your communication style affect the relationships you build?

4. How might your communication style impact your career or being hired for a position?

5. Why do you or don't you like the type of communicator you are?

6. Do people ever think you are ________________________?

Once I posed these questions, I was able to hear the groups talk with each other about their answers and it allowed me to get to know them a little better. In one group, I asked if being quiet and reserved made it difficult to open up to people, and it surprised me to see the students who agreed.

After they finished their posters, they presented them to the class. They were assessed on their ability to collaborate with a group, make strategic use of digital media, and present findings to the class.

I'm not sure if the students enjoyed is at much as I did, but it's an assignment I would consider doing with any new group of kiddos coming in! It's a great way to assess who works well together, to identify how students perceive themselves, and to spend time chatting with each group.

Let me know if you try it!

Until next time,

Paige