Start your study of communication with a look at the basic physiology and functions of the brain, focusing on key regions and the roles they play. This biological overview ties closely to neuroandragogy: the study of how adults learn and retain information. By better understanding this field, you will get a clearer picture of communication and how to best apply its key principles to your own life.
Memory is a key component of communication. Discover how memory works by looking at the regions of the brain that help us create both short- and long-term memories and better understand how emotion can be key to creating and retaining them. You will also consider common miscommunication issues and memory tools like mnemonic devices.
How do you engage the attention of others to maximize successful communication? And why are we so determined to multitask, even though the mind isn’t suited to juggling various activities? In this lesson, Professor Friederichs looks at how attention works and then offers strategies you can apply to overcome the many distractions that can interfere with our attempts to share and process information.
Learn invaluable strategies that can lead to fewer miscommunications by harnessing the power of previous experience. As you will see, asking questions of your audience to better understand their experience can help you craft an approach—including analogies and other tools—that creates a bridge between what they already know and what you are trying to communicate.
We don’t communicate in a vacuum and our communications are often affected by what is happening around us. Here, you will learn how use an array of tools and techniques to enrich your communication strategy, cut down on distraction, and help others connect with the information you are sharing in a variety of scenarios.
The course comes to a close with a look at common issues that can hinder successful communication and different strategies you can use to overcome them. Whether you need to overcome anxiety or get past the roadblock of entrenched bias, these tools will help you better connect with the people around you in every facet of your life.
