Noise in the Communication Process
By Rosie Bunnow
In this activity, students practice recognizing the different types of noise in the communication process.
Introducing Your Speech
By Dr. Rose Marie Mastricola
In this learning activity you'll analyze an introduction and determine whether or not it was effective. You'll also gain an understanding of what makes an effective introduction.
Developing the Central Idea
In this learning activity you'll apply techniques for identifying a central idea to a practice exercise.
Plagiarism
By David Wehmeyer
Students read an explanation of plagiarism. They then read examples of student papers and decide if an original work was plagiarized.
Barriers to Critical Thinking: Basic Human Limitations
By Therese Nemec
Learners examine seven basic human limitations that prevent people from seeing or understanding the world with total clarity. In an interactive exercise, learners identify ways to overcome those barriers to critical thinking.
Determining the Specific Purpose of Your Speech Pt. 2
In this learning activity you'll review the general principles speakers use to create a specific purpose statement.
Concluding Your Speech
In this learning activity you'll review a conclusion and decide how effectively it summarized a speech. You'll also gain some tips for writing your own speech conclusion.
Listening Practice
By Dr. Cynthia Ellenbecker
This activity is cognitive. Learners will actively listen to a story activated by the computer. Then learners will take a quiz on their comprehension. Lastly, learners will compare their chosen answers against the answer key to determine how well they really did "actively" listen. (Credit given to Tom E. Wirkus, University Of Wisconsin-LaCrosse for this activity.)
Creating and Formatting a Memo
By Deborah Seline
In this learning activity you'll explore different reasons to write a memo and how to create it.
Overview: Writing Clear "How To" Instructions
By Sandy Eyler
In this learning activity you'll apply directions to follow when writing clear "how-to" instructions.
What's the Context?
In this learning activity you'll differentiate between the five contexts affecting communication.
Mechanism Description: Can Opener
By Bev Paulick
In this learning activity you'll write a description of a can opener.
Overcoming Barriers to Critical Thinking: Being Human
The learner will identify ways to overcome barriers to critical thinking and problem-solving including false memories, personal biases and prejudices, and physical and emotional hindrances.
Writing Instructions/Directions
The student watches a car move through a city and writes directions based on the car's route.
Creating Effective Technical Descriptions
In this learning activity you'll review an introduction and samples of description worksheets. You'll then select an object and complete your own description.
Listening for Details Self-Assessment
In this learning activity you'll use active listening skills to answer 10 questions based on a story.
Audience Characteristics Chart
By Terri Langan
In this learning object you'll review information for layman, executive, expert, technician and operator audiences for writing technical publications.
Transactional Communication Model: Assessment Activity
By Mary Brignall
In this learning activity you'll outline a conversation using the transactional communication model. The print and Email function has been disabled. You may take a screenshot of the last screen if needed.
Tricky Communication Situations: Analyzing the Situation
By Marilyn Carien
In this learning activity you'll examine strategies to help you deal with tricky personal and business communication situations.
Barriers to Critical Thinking: Use of Language
Learners examine how language can interfere with clear communication. They select examples of ambiguity, assuring expressions, doublespeak euphemisms, jargon, emotive content, false implications, meaningless comparisons, and vagueness. In an interactive exercise, learners identify ways to overcome these barriers.
The Johari Window (Screencast)
By Kathy Henning
In this screencast, you will see how the Johari Window works when determining a relationship with someone.
Nonverbal Communication
By Barbara Liang, Andrea Krabbe
Learners read about nonverbal communication. In a drag-and-drop exercise, they evaluate photos of people interacting and determine if the behaviors shown interfere with communication or enhance it.
Conflict: Assessing Levels of Power
In this learning activity you'll explore five types of power: legitimate, referent, coercive, reward, and expert.
Logical Reasoning in Speeches - Research
In this learning activity you'll explore the differences between primary and secondary research.
Tricky Communication Situations: Magic Secret Formulas
In this learning activity you'll create strategies for sending and receiving complaints and requests.