The Effects of Ism"s

“ The impact of race and racism continues to powerfully influence the life prospects of America’s children” (Derman-Sparks, 2010, p. 77). In my opinion, I think that Tina’s family was the one to influence her about the type of children she can and cannot play with and of course Tina did not come to realize this until later on in life. Tina’s parents did not want her playing with anyone of color, which I did not agree with because I think Tina should be allowed to pick her own friends regardless of their skin color. Also, I did not like the idea that Tina’s parents would treat her brothers better than they would her. I think when a parent has more than one child in the family all of them should be treated equally.  My personal experience with racism happened when I was 10. My uncle is black and his wife is white. So my cousin is of mixed raced. I was walking home with my cousin when we started talking about how the other children in her class had singled her out and made her feel bad about the color of her skin. She no longer wanted to be mixed, she wanted to be white. I said "You do know that you father is black don’t you?" She did not reply. I went home and cried because she made me feel bad about just the color of our skin, and how she let the other children get to her. My father wanted to go to the school to address this issue with the teacher and the children but I told him not to. My cousin later on told me that over one night she had realized that racism was wrong and that I was her best friend.   And at the end of the day, I always have to ask myself, why does race really matter? We are all humans, born to live and die, laugh and love. Be who we are and no one else. And that is what I am living now. Luckily I have never been racist though. Racism is stupid and useless. The most important thing to have is an open mind and an open heart. Color is irrelevant and does not define anyone.       Resources   Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

COLLEAGUE COMMUNICATION

What a wonderful course! This course on communication has been magnificent and with all the assistance I have had from each of my colleagues. One thing for sure that I found out about effective communication is it involves more than one person and my colleagues has showed that by responding to my blog assignments and my discussion posts. I have also had many encounters with classmates discussing the application assignments that have helped me gain a better understanding of what the assignment was all about. We worked together many times during the discussion posts, collaborating on answers and supporting each other with thoughtful comments.

Dr. Darragh, thank you so much for all the help and wonderful feedback you have shown throughout this course. You were brilliant!

I look forward to seeing many of you in our other courses as we continue on our journey.

Best of luck to you all!!!

Tracey

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Team Building and Collaboration

The adjourning phase of a team is that separation phase signaling the end of the project. At this phase the group usually reflects on its accomplishments as well as shortcomings towards the attainment of the goals (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009). The hardest thing that I found out during the adjourning phase of my group was to leave the ones that I had established a trustful relationship with. In our group, there were several who had established supportive relationships to our advantage. As a group, we were there to support and to respect each other opinion and differences as we strive to accomplish our goal

High performing groups are usually difficult to leave because there is so much happening. Group members feel a great sense of satisfaction and eagerly look forward to making a difference. They are highly passionate about what they do so their contribution extends well beyond the allotted time for meetings. They have clearly established norm and the leader will remind members of these rules should there be any violation of these rules.

In our closing ritual, we would end with a social evening where we would bring along a dish and all members would partake. Also, small rewards will be giving to the group to show their hard work and appreciation

In my opinion, I believe adjourning stage is essential stage of collaboration and teamwork because it gives us the opportunity to reflect in order grow academically.

Resources:

O'Hair, & Wiemann, (2009). Real Communication. An Introduction.

Bedford/St. Martin's

Evaluation of the Communicator

According to O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009.  As a communicator I am influenced by both cognition and behavior. Cognition refers to those thoughts which I possess about myself and others whereas behaviors refer to the verbal and non-verbal messages and it affects behavior.

In my opinion, I think all three assessments produced the same categories of results. The similarity in the results was shocking to me. The two people who evaluated me was my sister who is an hair stylist and the other one was a co-worker. However, the two do possess a clear idea of my strengths and my weaknesses. They are fully aware of my reactions to various situations. While they were completing the assessments they both agree on the same thing pertaining me and also it made so much easier for them two to provide such similar assessment.

 One difference I observed was the variance on the continuum. According to my sister’s assessment of me and assessment on the Communication Anxiety Inventory (CAI) were both on the lower side of the scale with a difference of 1. My co-worker assessment of me on the CAI was towards the higher end of the continuum when I compare my co-worker assessment to mine on the CAI there was a notable difference of 6 (Rubin, Palmgreen & Sypher, 2009).

The two insights I have gained throughout this week about communication are:

1.      Self-Presentation requires communicators to find the appropriate level of self-monitoring for the situation and the people involved in order to communicate successfully. Being aware of this on a professional and personal basis will always help me to monitor the signals from the communicators so that interest is sustained in order for the desired objectives will be achieved.

2.      Self-Disclosure refers to the amount of information one share with others. It can be considered tool for confirming our self-concept or improving or self-esteem (O’Hair Wiemann, 2009 cited Miller, Cooke, Tsang & Morgan 1992). Both on a personal level and a professional level care must be exercised in terms of the quality and quantity of information that is shared because one can lose the respect of others should the lines become blurred and that can be very dangerous.

As a teacher and a communicator, I will work hard toward the areas of strengthening my weaknesses so that I will be a better communicator.

References:

O Hair, D, Friedrich, G. W., & Dixon, L. D. (2011). Strategic communication in business and the professions, Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Ruibin, R. B., Palmgreen., P., & Sypher, H. E. (Eds.) (2009). Communication research measures: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge

Week 3

As I think about other cultures and groups, I do find myself communicating differently both verbally and non-verbally. When using verbal words I find myself speaking louder, in a clear tone pronouncing words carefully. When it comes to my non-verbal communication in regards to others of different groups and cultures I find myself smiling more, and alternating between eye contact and no eye contact. I will use what their non verbal language is saying and seemingly mimic their movements.

I was aware of the speaking clearly and louder, but not of my non-verbal interactions until I really focused on my interactions this week.

In my school we have a family who is from Spain and we will try to use clearer words, I also found myself avoiding any slang that Americans use as to convey the wrong message about their child's day.

I also find myself becoming very aware of my own difference. I notice any words I think I say differently then others I work with, and how I hold myself in the classroom; such as the placement of my arms when I am talking. I found that I seem to not know what to really do with my arms when I am interacting with other cultures. The unsure feeling makes me want to cross them across my chest, but I know this would seem negative and possibly send a message that I was uninterested in their family. I also utilize active listening, restating what they asked in or said to me back to them with my own words added.

O'Hair, & Wiemann. (2009) Real Communication: An Introduction. Bedford, St. Martin

Communicating Skills and Styles

I had a chance to look at Basketball Wives because my friend told me it would be something interesting to watch.

What do you think the characters’ relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?
After watching the show, I can tell there is something going on between the women right off the back. Shauna seems nice but always crying and at times acts like she is really bad with the rolling of her neck and her tone of voice. All the basketball wives in this reality show look mean but they all are very verbal.

What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing? Some of the wives seem to be expressing anger by throwing up their hands, pointing their fingers in each other faces, crying, and hurting each other feelings. Shauna, which is Shaq’s wife, always seems to be the one who has the big head and is so quick to catch an attitude. She’s always the first one to cry and the one who would use bad language.

What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed? Looking at this program the women are very loud, back stabbers, and even not so friendly towards one another. The women do not know how to communicate very well because there is too much mess and no one is really listening to one another and the only way they seem to get their point across is by cussing one another or even word bashing each other. The women in this show are very hostile.

Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well? No because some of the shows I watch they communicate by using their words not throwing punches, or even bashing one another, and if they say something that will hurt another person feelings, the characters try to come back and apologize and try to figure out a way in which they can communicate better.

With my experience in communication, a person has to be careful how they say things because people can take things the way they want to.