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Welcome to the University of

Embu where Knowledge
Transforms and more specifically
to the 1st Semester of
2024/2025 Academic Year

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 The Word of God for Students
Proverbs 18:15
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge

Opening Prayer

Amen

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 CCS 101: Communication Skills

Learning notes

1st Semester (Sep – Dec) 2024

Resource Persons:
Dr. Lillian Omoke – Chairman, Humanities Dep.
Carolyne Manyeki
Catherine Munyi
Hezron Mogaka
Rosalind Nyaga
Lydia Muriithi
Victor Saoke
Rose Burugu
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Library Staff 4
 LAYING THE GROUND RULES & FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The purpose of University Education

To equip students with skills to

adapt to different sets of
environment. University learning
should prepare students
adequately on how to familiarize
themselves with the challenges
that the country/world is facing
and the existing opportunities.
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 Our expectations from the students

1) Be punctual for all planned lessons which start exactly at 7:00

to 8:00 am for Group 1, 8:00 – 9:00 am Group 2 and and 9:00
– 10:00 am Group 3. Similarly face-to face classes as per the
timetable
2) Be attentive and actively participate particularly for tutorials
3) Be in a learning mood at all times
4) Dress neatly & decently even when learning from home
5) Observe decorum at all times
6) Read instructions and understand them before attempting
questions
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Be team players 6
 Purpose of the Unit
Overall unit objective:

To help learners develop a

deeper understanding,
appreciation and application of
various communication
principles, pathways, approaches
and foundations

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 Expected unit outcome
Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, learners are expected to:

Ø To articulate key communication principles and approaches.

Ø To develop short comprehensible notes capturing particular

moments.

Ø To develop short scientific notes on particular issues of interest.

Ø To draft logical speeches on matters of interest.

Ø To monitor and assess the effectiveness of communication

approaches adopted.
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 Unit delivery approach/Mechanism
ü Interactive lectures – to effectively achieve the objectives
of the Unit, it is critical that students participate during the
entire learning process

ü Individual and group presentations on take home

assignments and other related exercises including the e-
tivities – marks to constitute part of the CAT marks

ü Weekly group-based tutorials –learners to take lead

ü Assessment on students’ appreciation and understanding of

the Unit objectives, principles and application. This will be
achieved through Continuous Assessment Tests (CATS – 30
marks) and main examination (70 marks)
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 UNIT DESCRIPTION/TEACHING PLAN

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 CCS 101: Communication Skills Teaching Plan
Date Activity Lecturer
02/09/2024 Opening prayer and Introduction of the Unit Mogaka H.
02/09/2024 Topic 1: Fundamentals of Communication and Collaboration Mogaka H.
9/09/2024 Topic 2: Listening and Note Taking Victor S.
16/09/2024 Topic 3: Information Literacy and Ethics Library Staff
30/09/2024 Topic 4: Oral Skills: Public Speaking Carolyne M.
07/10/2024 CAT 1 – 7:30 – 8:30 am (students to be allocated venues) All
14/10/2024 Topic 5: Study skills Peris M.
21/10/2024 Topic 6: Collaboration, Inter-personal Skills, & Collaborative Rose B.
writing
28/10/2024 Topic 7: Reading Skills Catherine M
04/11/2024 Topic 8: Academic Writing 1 (Introduction) - how to write, Rosalind N.
sentence to verb agreement, writing exams, grammar
11/11/2024 Topic 9: Academic Writing: The Paragraph and the Essay Rosalind N.
18/11/2024 Topic 10: Acknowledging Sources: References and Lydia M.
Referencing
02/09/24 Revision for exams 11
 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of
Communication and Collaboration

02 September, 2024
7:00 – 10:00 am
(Virtual)

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Assignment 1:
The Chairman of your department intends to recruit a
communications expert to draft and disseminate
departmental activities. You have been asked to be the
Secretary to the recruitment panel. In preparation for
the exercise, prepare structured interview points the
panelists should consider in selecting the most suitable
candidate.

Assignment to be presented during the tutorial

sessions as per the instructions from your respective
unit facilitators
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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Lesson Objectives:
1) To enable the learners think through on what
constitutes effective communication and why
collaboration is important in academic and general
life
2) To enable the learners reflect on the principles of
communication
3) To create a deeper understanding on the part of the
learners on the various types of communication
4) To enable the learners reflect on the barriers to
effective communication
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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Expected Lesson Outcomes:
1) Learners who are able to articulate what constitutes
effective communication and its relevance in life
2) Learners who are able to explain the importance of
effective communication in academics and in life in
general
3) Learners who are able to articulate the principles of
communication
4) Learners who are able to discuss the various types of
communication

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Flow of the lesson:
1) Definition of communication
2) Why study communication
3) Key elements of communication
4) Principles of communication
5) Relevance of communication in academic life + life in general
6) Types of communication
7) Communication pathways
8) Barriers to effective communication
9) The role of collaboration in enhancing effective communication

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
What is communication:
§ Communication is a process by which meaning is exchanged
between individuals or an individual and a group through a
common system of symbols, signs and behavior.
§ Sending, giving, or exchanging information and ideas, which is
often expressed non-verbally and verbally
§ Communication is also a process of sharing or exchanging ideas,
information, knowledge, attitude or feelings through certain signs,
symbols and behavior. Therefore;
§ Communication is more than transfer of ideas and thoughts, it is a
dynamic process of action and interaction towards desired goals.

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
What is communication: Summary
§ It is a process
§ It involves more than one entity
§ There is something to be exchanged or shared
§ It is aimed at achieving specific goal(s)
§ May take place using different approaches – verbal, non-verbal,
symbols, signs or behavior;

NOTE
Even animals in the wild do communicate using different approaches

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Topic 1/11: Fundamentals
of Communication and
Collaboration
An elephant can recognize
the calls of hundreds of
other elephants from a half-
mile away. That
famous shrill trumpet call is
the one we most often
associate with elephants,
but these animals can also
squeal, cry, scream, roar,
snort, rumble, and groan to
get their point across. They
may use low or high
frequencies, may use
gestures too.
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Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of
Communication and
Collaboration

Rats communicate with

each other by means of
pheromones and
(ultrasonic) vocalizations.
Of the sounds they
produce, a frequency of
~20kHz is associated with
pain or discomfort, and a
frequency of ~50kHz with
increased well-being

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration

Why study communication?

1) We are social beings and communication is central in shaping our

relations and interactions

2) It helps in understanding and gaining insight of oneself and others –

intrapersonal & interpersonal communication

3) It helps us build self esteem and self-confidence – through the

various messages one receives from others about self.

4) Studying communication and using it effectively can lead to more

positive feelings of ourselves, helps in character management,
image safe guarding
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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Why study communication? Cont’d

5) It increases our knowledge about human relationships because

studying communication includes learning about how people
relate with one another and about what communication is
appropriate for a given situation.

6) Enables us to acquire life and survival skills – public speaking,

strategic decision-making, interactions
7) Contributes to professional growth – ability to listen and analyze
messages
8) Poor communication may lead to misunderstanding, frustration,
being ignored by others, unsuccessful careers, among, many other
negative consequences
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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Six Key elements of communication

1) People § Participants in the process

§ May be the sources of the messages (conceive,
packages, encodes and disseminate)
§ Receivers of the messages (decodes, comprehends,
attaches meaning,
Factors that influence how messages are communicated:
knowledge, interest and emotional state

2) Message This is the verbal or non-verbal form of idea, thought or

feeling that one person (source) wishes to communicate to
a group of people (receivers) – the content
3) Channel This is the means by which a message moves from a source
to a receiver. It is also called the medium of transmission.
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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Key elements of communication – Cont’d

4) Feedback This is the receiver's verbal, non-verbal or written

response to the message from the source

5) Code This is the systematic arrangement of symbols used

by the source or receiver to create meaning in the
mind of another person(s) or receiver(s) – words,
non-verbal, grammar, expressions

6) Encoding Encoding is the act of putting ideas and thoughts

and into a code, while decoding is interpreting/making
decoding sense of those ideas or thoughts.

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Six Principles/Properties of communication
1) Communication Communication is always occurring in human life at
is inescapable various levels, for
instance, at the intra-personal level when you are
thinking, planning, meditating, observing, gathering
information and making conclusions. It also occurs at
the interpersonal level
as you interact with one another

2) Communication Cannot take back something once it is communicated

is irreversible

3) Communication Always changing, or taking place

is dynamic
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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Six Principles/Properties of communication
4) Communication Communication takes place in a given space -
is contextual psychological context (personality, value),
situational context (time and place),
environmental context (physical features –
noise level

5) Communication It involves making several choices.

is complicated

6) Communication Always changing, or taking place

is dynamic

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Types of communication
Communication can be categorized in two ways.
A. By the number of people involved in the communication process/
Levels of communication
B. By the channel or medium used in the communication process

A: By the number of people involved:

(i) Intrapersonal communication
(ii) Inter-personal communication – dyadic and small group
communication
(iii) Public communication – an individual communicating to many
people
(iv) Mass communication
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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Types of communication
B. By the channel or medium used in the communication process
i. Verbal communication - oral-auditory signal for
communication
ii. Graphic communication - visual communication e.g., graphs,
cartoons, models
iii. Written communication
iv. Non-verbal communication – paralinguistic communication
and would include facial expressions, postures, gestures

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration
Barriers to communication
i. Differences in opinion
ii. Jumping into conclusions
iii. Stereotyping – treating people as though they are the same
iv. Lack of knowledge
v. Lack of interest
vi. Difficult with expression
vii. Emotions
viii. Personality
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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and
Collaboration

The 7Cs of effective communication

i. Clarity – be clear and not vague

ii. Completeness – ensure all necessary parts of what is intended to

be communicated
iii. Concise – brief but comprehensive
iv. Consistency – harmony, no contradiction
v. Correctness – accuracy, no errors

vi. Consideration – careful thought

vii. Courtesy – polite behavior towards others

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 Words of advice & encouragement

Successful and
unsuccessful people do
not vary greatly in their
abilities. They vary in
their desires to reach
their potential.” – John
Maxwell

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 Topic 1/11: Fundamentals of Communication and Collaboration
Key references
1) "Communication and Collaboration" by Caroline R. Crawford (2017)
§ This book delves into the principles of communication and collaboration, exploring both
theoretical and practical aspects. It is especially useful for understanding how communication
strategies can be developed and enhanced in various professional settings.
2) "The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication" by Scott A. Myers and Carolyn M. Anderson
(2008)
§ This textbook focuses on the dynamics of communication within small groups, offering insights
into how collaboration can be fostered through effective communication strategies.
3) "Interpersonal Communication: A Goals-Based Approach" by Charles R. Berger (2020)
§ This text takes a deep dive into interpersonal communication, providing a framework for
understanding how communication goals influence interactions and collaborations in both
personal and professional contexts.
4) "Collaboration: How Leaders Avoid the Traps, Create Unity, and Reap Big Results" by Morten T.
Hansen (2009)
§ While not a traditional textbook, this book provides a strong foundation in understanding
collaboration from a leadership perspective, discussing how effective communication plays a
crucial role in successful collaboration.

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 Topic 2/11: Listening and Note Taking

09 September, 2024
GROUP 1: 7:00 – 8:00
GROUP 2: 8:00 – 9:00
GROUP 3: 9:00 - 10:00
(Virtual)

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