ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION FOR FORM SIX – FULL NOTES
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1. WRITING WITH APPROPRIATE GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY
2. INFERRING MEANINGS FROM VARIOUS TEXTS
3. MASTERING REPORT WRITING SKILLS
4. SPEAKING WITH CONFIDENCE AND CLARITY
5. CRAFTING CLEAR AND PROFESSIONAL MESSAGES
6. WRITING PROJECT PROPOSALS AND REPORTS
7. USING ICT FOR RESEARCH AND REFERENCING
8. PREPARING AND DELIVERING ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
9. INTERPRETING AND USING VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS
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Communication skills are most vital for interactions with students, because the act of teaching itself requires them. In your role, you are responsible for comprehending and breaking down complex information, conveying this information clearly to your students (both verbally and in written resources), presenting in a manner that sustains their attention, and listening to and resolving their questions or problems.
You are also required to adapt content for different learning styles, motivate students to learn, build supportive relationships using encouragement and empathy, manage the classroom, and give feedback – making your classroom a safe and supportive learning environment. All of these things require good communication skills.
The better your communication skills, the more effectively you can perform these tasks. In turn, your students will make more academic progress. Studies have found that the success of students is directly related to interactive, engaging teaching environments formed by able teachers (see Mashburn et al., 2008). Additionally, the way that you communicate with your students can positively affect their perceptions of school, their role in the classroom, themselves and their abilities, and their motivation to succeed (see Dobbs & Arnold, 2009).
Online courses create unique challenges when it comes to communicating and building relationships with students. With the growing prevalence of online learning, understanding how teachers communicate and connect with students in these environments is more critical than ever. Our research focused on identifying the methods, frequency, and reasons teachers and students communicate and what relationship-building practices teachers use, particularly within the first four weeks of a course. Our research also focused on determining if the frequency of teacher-student communication correlates with students’ final course grades.
What were the key findings from your research specific to online teacher-student communication?
We found that during the first four weeks of an online course, teachers primarily relied on BrightSpace (Michigan Virtual’s LMS or learning management system), the Student Learning Portal (SLP), and email to communicate with students. The SLP was a particularly effective communication tool, because students have to log in here before accessing their courses, so this ensures that messages are seen. While most students communicated through the SLP, email, or text, teachers highlighted the importance of adapting to student preferences.
Most teachers surveyed reported that they communicated daily with individual students, and sent out course-wide communications once a week. Teachers sent an average of two messages per student during this four-week time period. When teachers communicated with students, it was primarily to provide reminders, answer student-initiated communications, or provide feedback. Teachers emphasized that they took care to ensure their communications were timely and had a welcoming and compassionate tone to help build positive relationships, with some incorporating personal details—students’ preferred names or references to aforementioned hobbies—and using tools like Grammarly to ensure their messages have the desired tone.
Though the study showed no statistically significant link between the number of messages students receive and their final course grade, the consistency in teacher communication practices suggests teachers were already following best practices and using effective communication strategies.
Effective communication between students and teachers is the foundation of a productive learning environment. Clear communication, whether in the classroom or in virtual settings, can make a significant difference in a student’s academic journey. A well-implemented school management system can further enhance this communication by providing streamlined channels for interaction and feedback. In this blog, we will look at the importance of student communication, how it influences learning, and techniques for improving communication between students and teachers.
Why Does Effective Student Communication Matter in Education?
Student communication is essential for creating the entire learning experience. When kids can interact freely with their professors, they feel more confident, supported, and understood. This communication increases clarity, eliminates misconceptions, and boosts classroom participation. In contrast, poor communication can create barriers, making it harder for pupils to express themselves or ask questions.
Strong communication between students and teachers has an impact on their emotional well-being. When students understand that they may approach their teachers with questions or concerns, they are less likely to feel alone or confused about the material. This trust promotes a collaborative and supportive learning atmosphere in which students feel appreciated and encouraged to contribute.
The Influence of Communication on Academic Performance
One of the most significant advantages of clear student communication is increased academic performance. Students who feel comfortable asking questions or requesting clarification are more likely to understand the topic. This leads to increased comprehension and retention, leading in improved marks and a more in-depth understanding of the subject.
In addition, excellent student-teacher communication enables teachers to identify areas where students may be suffering. This early detection enables teachers to provide individualized support, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. For example, if a student is struggling with a certain idea, open communication allows the teacher to step in with extra resources, explanations, or one-on-one tutoring to resolve the issue.
