Effective Public Communication (EPC)

Effective Public Communication (EPC) is one of the subjects we were required to take in Semester 2 of FNBE. Basically, The module introduces and delves into the basic concepts and principles in the daily application of interpersonal and group communication skills both for personal and professional development. Course components include models and concepts within interpersonal, group and organisational communication such as perception, listening, group decision making, leadership and conflict. This module was guided by our lecturer, Mr. Woon, we were given few tasks to complete the module. We had a class test, individual essay and group project.

All these tasks had specific learning outcomes which we were able to achieve after completing it. For instance, the class test was to examine of the understanding of the students were able to develop after covering the chapters throughout the semester. It also tests how much the students were able to master in terms of concepts of communication, both verbal and nonverbal communication and how people behave and communicate in different situations. The individual essay, on the other hand, taught us on how to explain the basic ideas of a chosen topic with reference to the related theories learned in the subject. It also tested us to prove our mastery of the topic and ability to express it in the form of an academic essay with proper citations and referencing. The group project's main objective was to see whether we could apply the principles of communication at individual and group level in the best way possible. Mastery of these concepts were to be shown by translating selected concepts to the medium of a dialogue script or through graphics.

Task A:

Class Test

AIMS:

The learning outcome of this test is to understand and apply all the concepts learned through daily observations and real occurrences. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In this test, we were required to study on Chapter 1-5 from the textbook , 'Human Communication' by Pearson et alia, as well as Chapter 6 on Conflict and Negotiation from the reference book, 'Human Communication' by Tubbs and Moss. In addition, we need to have watched: ANY of the following options.a) one of these two movies 'The Joy Luck Club' OR b) 'The Bridget Jones Diary' 

OR

c) 'The Secrets of Body Language' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQENwD-QlRA ORd)

These three video clips on controversial 'Listen, Listen, Listen' episode in YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CflYB49Z6fo 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3w5qAx6eL0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9qWJsySWZ8 
OR

e) the Video clip by William Mury on Negotiation -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xCkhV7zhuw.

The class tests allows us to bring in notes that we read in the textbook and the original textbook only.This test basically will examine our understanding of chapters covered throughout the semester in class and test mastery of concepts of communication, both verbal and nonverbal and how people behave and communicate in different situations.

The EPC class test was on Week 11,  Thursday 10th Oct 2013. The venue was LT 8.00 and it was from 7.00 to 9.00 p.m.

REFLECTION:

Throughout the class test, I realised it is indeed important to understand and apply all the concepts learned through daily observations and real occurrences. I am very much appreciated that Mr. Woon had provided us with powerpoint slides and notes, also complete guidance of each chapters in class that is really did helped me in understanding and scoring better in the class test. The text book 'Human Communication' had been of such a real help as well since it was simple and easy to understand. I did not study much for the class test as I did paid attention in each classes so I just roughly read through before sitting for the class test. Of course, I have also watched all the videos link and movies that Mr. Woon had shown us and provide us in the brief. I had a better understanding after watching them as I able to relate all the concepts in the text book with the movie altogether. However, I am more determined to do better in the other tasks.

Assignment 1: Individual Essay

Individual Essay - Effective Public Communication

AIMS:

The learning outcomes of this assignment is to be able to explain the basic ideas of each chosen topic with reference to the related theories learned in this course. Next, the outcome is to prove mastery of the topic and ability to express this in the form of an academic essay with proper APA citations and referencing. The aims is to understand the basic ideas in the chosen topic and relate it to the respective theories associated with the topic as taught in the course with reference to the texts listed below and to express this understanding clearly and accurately in the form of an academic essay with the relevant citations necessary.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In this assignment, we need to select the topic and check with the lecturer–in-charge to determine if it has been taken. Each topic may only be attempted by a maximum of 8 students from any class. We were required to look at other reference texts on Human Communication which mentioned in the suggested references. At last, we need to produce an academic essay of between 800-1000 words with the standard FNBE cover page.The due date was 8th of November 2013 and I managed to hand in before the due date and time.

REFLECTION

For this individual essay, I chose the third topic which is 'Sometimes our self gets in the way of effective listening.' I need to explain the concepts of egocentrism, defensiveness, experiential superiority, and personal bias by telling how each obstructs effective listening and provide examples for each. I did not find this task as hard as I thought it would be as this topic is something I could easily relate to so I very much enjoy writing it. Most of the examples I had given were things that I had known from experience and observation. I have also looked up for references from the library and online resourses which I could cite in the essay. Not only did my documentation skills were improved through this assignment, my writing skills are also been further improved. Thankfully enough, I was able to get the essay done before time.

Group project: Illustrations or drama scripts.

AIMS:

The learning outcomes intended for this assignment were to apply the principles of small group communication. We able to explain the basic ideas of each chosen topic. We use new examples and situations relevant to the topic in the form of dialogues and graphics. We prove mastery of the topic by the compilation of knowledge through graphics and scripts. Finally, we were to communicate the relevant ideas in a clear, logical and appropriate academic English.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In a group of 5, we created a 3 A3 size comic strip and the story line was based on the topic 'nonverbal communication'. We started to understand the basic ideas in the chosen topic- nonverbal communication beforehand and came out with ideas that would be able to express this understanding clearly and creatively by translating the concepts involved into either a graphic format or in the form of dialogue script. 

REFLECTION:

For the group project, my group consisted of Nicole Hooi, Claire Zhuang, Tan Jou Wen, Bernard Ting and I. We have chose to do comic strips instead as we were all very keen on illustrating. Throughout this project, we have divided out parts to conduct this assignment successfully due to the time restrictions. Me, Claire Zhuang and Nicole Hooi did the storyline together as Bernard Ting and Jou Wen did the drawing part. We were able to understand the topic better and we worked better as a group where everyone had their specific parts done well and on time to compile everything. Throughout this whole group project, I appreciate the importance of teamwork where all of us displayed different skills and able to complete our project on time.

Task B:

Overall, with the effective class lessons that Mr. Woon provide us, followed by class test, individual assignment, as well as group project allowed me to be able to understand more on the issues related with communication. I have struggle in between conducting one of the assignments where I find it hard to apply the concepts properly and provide references for it at the same time. However, I did not struggle with the words limit as I able to provide relevant examples through class lessons. In the mean time, I have also realised my strengths and weaknesses while conducting each assignments where it helped me sharpen my skills and guide me better to achieve better. All in all, I enjoy learning this module and subject as it's an incredible and fun experience for me and I'm thankful that I had been able to gain knowledge from everything I do.

TEXT BOOK

REFERENCES

Batson, T. (2002, December). The Electronic Portfolio Boom: What's it All About? Syllabus. Retrieved fromhttp://www.campus-technology.com/article.asp?id=6984

Downes, S. (2004, July 16). Creation of a Learning Landscape: Weblogging and Social Networking in the Context of E-Portfolios. OLDaily. Retrieved fromhttp://www.downes.ca/archive/04/07_16_news_OLDaily.htm

ePortfolio Australia (n.d.). What is an ePortfolio. Retrieved fromhttp://www.eportfolio.editaustralia.com.au/