Judith Dutill discusses communication literacy in the age of AI, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal skills in everyday situations. She explores using interviews for assessment, cultural mishaps, and staying inspired in teaching. The podcast also highlights the value of improv for communication and student engagement.
Emphasizing interpersonal communication skills is crucial for students' success in the professional world.
Universities should expand communication literacy to include various contexts beyond public speaking.
Deep dives
Importance of Interpersonal Communication Skills for Students
Emphasizing the significance of interpersonal communication and conversation skills for students, the podcast highlights a real-life scenario where a student faced challenges in engaging in a simple conversation. This event underscored the importance of students being proficient in communication skills, especially in the professional world where employers prioritize effective communication abilities.
Relevance of Communication Literacy in Higher Education Curriculum
Exploring the role of communication literacy, the podcast delves into how universities have traditionally emphasized formal types of communication like public speaking. It discusses the need to expand the definition of communication literacy to include various contexts such as interpersonal communication, small group communication, and business communication, aligning with the evolving needs of students and employers.
Encouraging Adaptability and Relevance in Communication Teaching
Encouraging adaptability and relevance in teaching communication skills, the podcast highlights the necessity to align curriculum with changing communication trends. It stresses the importance of responding to cultural shifts and technological advancements, advocating for a more inclusive and dynamic approach to teaching communication that prepares students for diverse communication scenarios.
Promoting Confidence and Effective Communication Through Interactive Teaching Methods
Promoting confidence and effective communication, the podcast suggests interactive teaching methods to enhance students' communication skills. This involves engaging students in conversational exercises, encouraging risk-taking, and fostering a supportive learning environment. By incorporating improvisational activities and encouraging students to step out of their comfort zones, educators can help students develop vital communication skills.
Judith Dutill talks about communication literacy in the age of AI on episode 523 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
In the college classroom, we don’t often emphasize that type of communication as a skill that’s worth teaching, talking about, assessing, and we focus instead on more formal types of communication.
-Judith Dutill
Communication is a very subjective thing, but I think there is a common definition that we could all agree on that effective communication is creating meaning and being understood.
-Judith Dutill
As we develop in higher education, many of us believe in multiple literacies.
-Judith Dutill
If your discipline involves speaking and listening, communication is at the center of it.
-Judith Dutill