As I prepare to move on into another course, I would like to take a minute to thank you all,my colleagues, for all of the support. We have came a long way, and for most of us we are almost at the finish line. I wish you the best in your fields and specializations of choice. Lets all remember what we learned from this course, and continue to make a difference in our communities. We made it!
Respectfully,
Ashley Wilkins-Miller
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work......wk6
"This week you read about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in which you have been involved. Think about which aspects of the groups made for the hardest good-bye. Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? Groups with the clearest established norms? Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced? How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?"
When I think about the groups that I was in that was hard to leave, I think about the key things that grew our bond. Most of which was because we built a personal tie to one another. We understood each other, and we respected one another. There was one group that I did not like, but we worked well together, and honestly I wanted a great grade. So, I sucked up my emotional feelings and pushed through. For the groups that I participated in and found it hard to leave we would usually do something to commemorate our time together. Whether we had dinner, a party, or some kind of outing. Working with an online community is a bit different. We have not met personally, and honestly for me I have to physically meet someone to form a tie with them. Adjourning is an essential part of teamwork, because it places a conclusion to the experience. It gives the team members closure on a chapter in their lives.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Conflict Resolution Week 5
For Week 5, we discussed conflict resolution. We were asked
"Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?
Also, if appropriate, ask your colleagues for their input and advice regarding, if not specific problems, how they have learned to be more effective communicators as it relates to conflict resolution skills."
I would suggest that you take on a viewpoint of "how does this conflict affect the other person". When you do that, you will automatically have more understanding view point. I have also learned that each conflict is different, and must be treated as such. A compromise is not effective in a conflict that is about morals, or religious beliefs (in some cases. I have learned to not be so emotional when in the middle of a conflict, because it clouds judgement, creates impulsive descisions, and makes the person selfish. I could most likely use all of the skills learned this week, but the key is to know when to use certain ones.
"Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?
Also, if appropriate, ask your colleagues for their input and advice regarding, if not specific problems, how they have learned to be more effective communicators as it relates to conflict resolution skills."
I would suggest that you take on a viewpoint of "how does this conflict affect the other person". When you do that, you will automatically have more understanding view point. I have also learned that each conflict is different, and must be treated as such. A compromise is not effective in a conflict that is about morals, or religious beliefs (in some cases. I have learned to not be so emotional when in the middle of a conflict, because it clouds judgement, creates impulsive descisions, and makes the person selfish. I could most likely use all of the skills learned this week, but the key is to know when to use certain ones.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Communication Skills vs Perception WK4
Hello all. This week we were asked
"For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life."
My mother's perception of my comunication skills.'
" I believe that you have great communication skills. You are a great speaker, and you are attentive to others opinion. You do, at times talk over some people, but I do not believe that it is on purpose. You are a passionate person. I believe that it is purely excitement."
My teacher's perception of my communication skills.
" You have a way with words. You can get your point across without raising your voice. You care about others, and it shows when you speak with them."
My perception.....
I believe that I have some great communication skills, but I also have a lot to learn. As my mother stated, I do at times speak over people when i am extremely excited.
I have learned that true communication is a two way street. Listening is just as important, if not more, than speaking. I have learned that communication is not fully reliant on words, but on body language as well. Knowing this will prepare me for so many opportunities.
"For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life."
My mother's perception of my comunication skills.'
" I believe that you have great communication skills. You are a great speaker, and you are attentive to others opinion. You do, at times talk over some people, but I do not believe that it is on purpose. You are a passionate person. I believe that it is purely excitement."
My teacher's perception of my communication skills.
" You have a way with words. You can get your point across without raising your voice. You care about others, and it shows when you speak with them."
My perception.....
I believe that I have some great communication skills, but I also have a lot to learn. As my mother stated, I do at times speak over people when i am extremely excited.
I have learned that true communication is a two way street. Listening is just as important, if not more, than speaking. I have learned that communication is not fully reliant on words, but on body language as well. Knowing this will prepare me for so many opportunities.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Communicating Effectively......
This week we were asked to
"For your blog this week, complete the following activity:
Think about the cultural diversity you see in your colleagues at school, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, and also, possibly, within your family. Consider all the aspects that make up culture, including race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, varying abilities, and so on.
Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?
Based on what you have learned this week, share at least three strategies you could use to help you communicate more effectively with the people or groups you have identified."
My family is made up of different races, nationalities, and cultures. There is African American, Caucasian, Native American, Caribbean,and Hawaiian. My childhood was full of learning different cultures, recipes, and etc. Because of this I am open and welcoming to different cultures.
To answer these questions, I do not find myself communicating differently with people from different groups or cultures. I believe that one way that people could communicate more effectively is to treat others the way they would like to be treated.
"For your blog this week, complete the following activity:
Think about the cultural diversity you see in your colleagues at school, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, and also, possibly, within your family. Consider all the aspects that make up culture, including race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, varying abilities, and so on.
Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?
Based on what you have learned this week, share at least three strategies you could use to help you communicate more effectively with the people or groups you have identified."
My family is made up of different races, nationalities, and cultures. There is African American, Caucasian, Native American, Caribbean,and Hawaiian. My childhood was full of learning different cultures, recipes, and etc. Because of this I am open and welcoming to different cultures.
To answer these questions, I do not find myself communicating differently with people from different groups or cultures. I believe that one way that people could communicate more effectively is to treat others the way they would like to be treated.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
A world with and without Verbal Communication
This week we were told to :
"As you have been learning, communication is not always straightforward. Everyone, at some time or another, makes assumptions based on messages communicated through body language and facial expressions.
For this assignment, again consider what you have been learning about communication skills and styles. Then record an episode of a television show you do not normally watch. Watch the show with the sound turned off.
What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?
What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?
Now, watch the show with the sound turned on.
What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?
Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?
Write about your experience in your blog, including what you learned about communication from this experience and insights or "aha" moments you believe would be helpful to your colleagues.
(Adapted from O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 154)
For this activity, I used Frasier. I have watched this shows for years, and it was interesting to see what I discovered. With the sound off I noticed that the father seemed more aggressive, but with the sound on it was undeniable Fraiser. The entire crew wears their heart on their sleeves. All of the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating. Niles is completely in love with daphne, and he expressed this love non-verbally at first. I realized that most people do not communicate their true feelings, and that we have learned to "mask" them through false smiles.
"As you have been learning, communication is not always straightforward. Everyone, at some time or another, makes assumptions based on messages communicated through body language and facial expressions.
For this assignment, again consider what you have been learning about communication skills and styles. Then record an episode of a television show you do not normally watch. Watch the show with the sound turned off.
What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?
What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?
Now, watch the show with the sound turned on.
What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?
Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?
Write about your experience in your blog, including what you learned about communication from this experience and insights or "aha" moments you believe would be helpful to your colleagues.
(Adapted from O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 154)
For this activity, I used Frasier. I have watched this shows for years, and it was interesting to see what I discovered. With the sound off I noticed that the father seemed more aggressive, but with the sound on it was undeniable Fraiser. The entire crew wears their heart on their sleeves. All of the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating. Niles is completely in love with daphne, and he expressed this love non-verbally at first. I realized that most people do not communicate their true feelings, and that we have learned to "mask" them through false smiles.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Competent Communication
Hello all, and thank you for reading my post!
This week, we were asked to
"What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?:
I chose my mother for this activity. I chose her because she is a great listener and communicator. Often ask my mother how she could have a conversation with someone that is offending her without showing any emotion. It amazes me how she maintains her tone, and overall calm demeanor while this is happening. My mother works for the hospital, and she comes into contact with a lot of people ( patents and corporate) that can have horrible attitudes. She handles it with grace and intellect.
I model many of my behavior after my mother. Mainly because she is the first example of how a lady should conduct herself. I am still working on some of the communication skills that my mother has mastered. One of my flaws is my temper. I wear it on my face even when I do not say a word. When I feel offended, I usually go silent to not show anger. I take some time to myself, and then I come back to the conversation. Some would say that this is a great characteristic, but I would like to have complete control over my body language and my emotions when angry or hurt. I want to seem calm,cool, and collected like my mother. I guess that comes with maturity and growth.
Thanks for reading!
ADWM
This week, we were asked to
"What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?:
I chose my mother for this activity. I chose her because she is a great listener and communicator. Often ask my mother how she could have a conversation with someone that is offending her without showing any emotion. It amazes me how she maintains her tone, and overall calm demeanor while this is happening. My mother works for the hospital, and she comes into contact with a lot of people ( patents and corporate) that can have horrible attitudes. She handles it with grace and intellect.
I model many of my behavior after my mother. Mainly because she is the first example of how a lady should conduct herself. I am still working on some of the communication skills that my mother has mastered. One of my flaws is my temper. I wear it on my face even when I do not say a word. When I feel offended, I usually go silent to not show anger. I take some time to myself, and then I come back to the conversation. Some would say that this is a great characteristic, but I would like to have complete control over my body language and my emotions when angry or hurt. I want to seem calm,cool, and collected like my mother. I guess that comes with maturity and growth.
Thanks for reading!
ADWM
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