Module 3: Communication and Classroom Interaction

3.1 Communication- Concept

Communication is sharing of feelings, ideas and opinions with others. This

can be intellectual, personal, spoken or written in nature. Communication
motivates, informs, suggests, warns, orders, changes behavior, and establishes
better relationships, to make interaction meaningful and make oneself understood.
In a classroom, the meaning of communication is related to the messages, and
counter-messages, which constitute the teaching-learning process. This involves
initiation, reception and responds that serve as feedback. In teaching-learning
process communication plays an effective and essential role. In many ways,
teaching is communicating and in this sense good teachers are always good
communicators. It is also equally true for the learners. The process of
communication involves a two-way interaction between the teacher and the taught.

The word communication is derived from the Latin word „communis‟ which
means „common‟, i.e., to share, exchange, send, transmit, write, relate and
communicate. The other etymological source mentions that „communication‟ is
derived from the Latin term „communicare‟ which means to impart or participate.

Definition

Edger Dale, “Communication is defined as the sharing of ideas and feelings in a

mood of mutuality”.

Keith Davis, “Communication is the process of passing information and

understanding from one person to another”.

Characteristics of Communincation

 It involves at least two persons

 In it message is a must
 It is written, oral or gestural
 It is a two way process
 Its primary purpose is to motivate a response.
 It flows up and down and also from side to side
 It is an integral part of the process of exchange

1. It involves at least two persons

It involves at least two persons, a sender and a receiver. The sender is

called communicator and the receiver of the message is known as
communicate. A person who speaks, writes or issues some
instructions is the sender and the person for whom the communication
is meant or who receives the message is the receiver or communicates.

2. In it message is a must

A message is the subject matter of communication i.e. the contents of

the letter or speech, order, instructions of the suggestions. A
communication must convey some message.

3. It is written, oral or gestural

Communication is generally understood as spoken or written words. It
includes everything that may be used to convey meaning from one
person to another i.e. movement of lips, or the wink of an eye or the
wave of hands may convey more meaning.

4. It is a two way process

It involves both information and understanding. Communication is not
complete unless the receiver has understood the message properly and
his reaction or response is known to the sender.

5. Its primary purpose is to motivate a response

The primary purpose of communication is to motivate a response or
influence human behavior.
 6. It flows up and down and also from side to side

Communication flows downward from a superior to subordinates and

upward from subordinate to a superior. It also flows between two or
more persons operating at the same level of authority.

7. It is an integral part of the process of exchange

It refers to the exchange of ideas, feelings, emotions and knowledge
and information between two or more persons.

Elements / Components of Communication

 The source or sender of communication (The communicator)

The process of communication essentially starts with a source of
communication. He is the person who sends the message. He make person who
sends the message. He makes use of words or symbols to transmit the ideas,
thoughts and feelings. He is the idea generating component in communication
process. Sender is a critical component in communication as his social background,
personality, status education etc. influence the quality of message.

 Message:- It is the key idea that sender wants to communicate. It must be

ensured that the main objective of the message is clear. It may be verbal or
non-verbal.
 Encoding:- The process of conversion of information into symbols such as
words, actions, pictures or gestures is called encoding.
 Decoding:- The process of translation of an encoded message into ordinary
understandable language. Receiver converts the words, symbols received
from the sender in order to understand the meaning of the message.
 Feedback:- The receiver sends his response to the sender of the message.
This response is known as feedback. It includes all those known as feedback.
It includes all those actions of receiver indicating that he has received and
understood message of sender.
 Receiver:- The persons who remains at the receiving end of the
communication. He is to receive the encoded intended message of the source
of communication, decode it, for its proper interpretation and must reach or
 produce a desired response (feedback) to the source / sender of
communication.
 Channel:- The channel means medium by which sender transmit the
message to the receiver. The channel include face to face conversation,
letters, e-mail, social media formats etc.

It is the means through which message is conveyed. The channels are

sense of perception which includes sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.

Communication Process/ Cycle

Communication Cycle

Communication is a process of exchanging verbal and non-verbal messages.

It is a communication process. This message must be conveyed through some
medium to the recipient. It is essential that this message must be understood by the
recipient in same terms as intended by the sender. He must respond within a time
frame. Thus, communication is a two way process and incomplete without a
feedback from the recipient to the sender on how well the message is understood
by him. Since it is a continuous process, it is cyclic in nature.
Types of Communication

I. Communication Types: Based on Style and Purpose

1. Formal Communication
2. Informal Communication

Formal Communication

Refers to official communication, which takes place through a chain of commands.

It is structured on the basis of hierarchy, authority and accountability. The formal
communication may be divided into 3 categories.

 Upward Communication- Sending of message from subordinates to superior

(Lower Level to Top Level).

e.g. Foreman to Manager

Manager to General Manager

This communication includes: Opinions, ideas, suggestions, complaints,

grievances, appeals, reports etc.

 Downward Communication- It is the flow of information from Superior to

Subordinate in the organizational hierarchy.

It consists of plans and policies, orders and instructions, procedures and rules etc.

 Horizontal Communication- The transmission of information and

understanding between people on the same level of organizational hierarchy
is called the horizontal communication.
It refers to the horizontal flow of message among colleagues.

Informal Communication

Informal Communication is relatively less structured and spontaneous

communication arising out of day to day routine and meetings among people.

Informal communication cuts through the formal organizational structure.

E.g. -People who know each other in the organization talk together
informally.
Intra-personal communication

 Is the kind of communication that occurs within us.

 It involves thoughts, feelings and the way we look at ourselves.
 Because, intra-personal communication is centered in the self, you are the
only sender-receiver.
 The message is made up of your thoughts and feelings.
 The channel is your brain, which processes what you are thinking and
feeling.
 There is feedback in the sense that you talk to yourself, or discard certain
ideas and replace them with others.

e.g. If you had a good day, you are likely to look at yourself in a positive way.
Or, if you had a fight with a fellow student you are likely to focus more on your
depression or anger.

So, it is an internal dialogue occurring within the mind of an individual. It may

be clear or confused depending upon the individual‟s state of mind.

Inter-Personal Communication

Interpersonal Communication is communication among 2 or more persons.

 It is usually in an informal, unstructured setting or comfortable settings.

e.g. Conversation between 2 friends, (each brings his or her background and
experience to the conversation).

 Their message consists of both verbal and non-verbal symbols.

 Each functions as a sender-receiver.
II. Types of Communication: Based on the Communication Channels
1. Verbal Communication (Oral and Written)
2. Non-Verbal Communication

Verbal Communication- is the use of sound and words to share information with
other people; it includes both spoken and written communication.
  Objectives of every communication are to have people understand what we
are trying to convey.
 Slogan of Verbal Communication is "Keep it short and simple"

So, verbal communication is the use of sounds and words to express yourself.

Verbal communication is further divided into,

1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication

Oral Communication

 Here, spoken words are used.

 It includes face-to-face conversations, speech, telephonic conversation,
video, radio, television etc.
 In Oral Communication, communication is influenced by pitch, volume,
speed and clarity of speaking.

Written Communication

 Here, written signs or symbols are used to communicate.

 A written message may be printed or hand written.
 Here, message can be transmitted via email, letter, report, memo etc.
 Message in written communication, is influenced by the vocabulary and
grammar used, writing style, precision and clarity of the language used.

e.g. Electronic mail, internet web sites, letters, proposals, telegrams, faxes,
postcards, advertisements, brochures and news releases are used in written
communication.

Non-Verbal Communication

Non-Verbal Communication is the transfer of information through the use of body

language including eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice etc.

e.g. Smiling- When you meet someone conveys friendliness, acceptance and
openness.

 It is the sending or receiving of wordless messages.

  It is all about the body language of speaker.

Factors affecting Communication

1. Status / Role (poor and rich, manager, worker)

The sender and receiver of a message may be of equal status within a hierarchy or
they may be at different levels, this difference in status sometimes affects the
effectiveness of the communication process.

2. Cultural Difference (Namaste - Hello)

Cultural difference, both within or outside the organization may, impede the
communication process.

3. Choice of communication channels

(e.g. modern communication means like touch phones may not be understood by
the parents)

Before you choose your communication channel you should ask yourself whether
the channel is appropriate for particular purpose and the person receiver you have
in mind.

4. Length of Communication (A man gets tired of the length of the message)

The length of the message also affects communication process. You need to be
sure that it serves the purpose and appropriate for the receiver.

5. Use of language (poor grammar)

Poor choice of words or weak sentence structure also pampers communication.

The same goes for inappropriate punctuation.

e.g. Q: Women, without her, man is nothing.

A: Women, without her man is nothing.

6. Disabilities (deaf and dump)

You may need to use hearing aids, sign languages, minifying systems and symbols
to alleviate problems caused by disabilities.
 7. Known or unknown receiver
 Whether the receiver is known or unknown to you also plays a major role in
determining the effectiveness of your communication.
 A known receiver may be better able to understand your message.
8. Individual Perception (small boy - lady)

Sometime the method of communication needs to take into consideration the

receivers personality traits, age and preferred style.

9. Atmosphere / Noise / Distraction

Our surroundings can sometimes pose as barriers to effective communication. A

noisy place usually puts strain on oral communication as both the sender and
receiver need to put extra effort to communicate.

10. Clarity of Message

Is the message conveyed in a clear or ambiguous manner?

11. Lack of feedback

Feedback is important as it enables confirmation of understanding to be made by

both parties.

Effective communication is giving, receiving or exchanging of information,

opinions or ideas, so that the message is completely understood by everybody
involved.

Barriers of Communication

Communication Barriers can be defined as the aspects or conditions that interfere

with effective exchange of ideas or thoughts.

A. Internal Barriers of Communication

 Poor physical health or illness.
 Poor background in terms of previous learning and general knowledge about
the subject of communication.
  Poor mental health and improper psychological makeup like affected with
prejudices, in attention, feelings or insecurity, anxiety, depression and
distress etc.
 Handicapped understands the symbolic expression, verbalism and graphical
representation etc.
B. External Barriers of Communication
 Noise and other similar distractors
 Polluted environment
 Invisibility
 Environment and physical discomfort
 Improper functioning of the communication channels involving audio-visual
materials and equipment
 Lack of proper motivation, incentives, zeal and enthusiasm needed to remain
active on the part of the sender and receivers in the process of
communication.

Types of Barrier

1. Physical Barrier
2. Cultural Barrier
3. Language Barrier
4. Emotional Barrier
5. Gender Barrier
6. Organizational Barrier
7. Perceptual Barrier

1. Physical Barrier

Relate to disturbance in the immediate situation, which can interface in the course
of an effective communication.

Factors causing Physical Barrier

 Defects in Media
 Distraction in environment
 Distance
  Ignorance of medium
 Physical disability

How to overcome?

 To be updated with latest technologies.

 Choosing a suitable environment.
 Removing obstacle.
 Making signs easier to read, example, you could supplement written signs
with pictures and visual signs.
 Self-motivation.

2. Cultural Barrier
 Cultures provide people ways of thinking, ways of seeing, hearing, and
interpreting the world.
 Similar words can mean different things to people from different cultures,
even when they talk the “same language".

Factors causing Cultural Barrier

 Diversified cultural background

 Language and Accent
 Behavior and Nature
 Religion

How to overcome?

 Cross culture environment

 Have a through knowledge of your counterpart‟s culture background.
 Conduct effective communication workshop.
 Work in groups and run frequent meeting.

3. Language Barrier
 Inability to converse in a language that is known by both the sender and
receiver is the greatest barrier to effective communication.
  When a person uses inappropriate words while conversing of writing, it
could lead to misunderstanding between the sender and receiver.

Factors causing Language Barrier

 Multi language
 Region
 Inadequate vocabulary
 Interpreting difference

How to overcome

 Speak slowly and clearly

 Ask for clarification
 Frequently check for understanding
 Be specific
 Choose your medium of communication effectively
 Be patient

4. Emotional Barrier (happy, sad, angry mood)

 The emotional state may influence your capacity to make yourself
understood and hamper your understanding of others.
 Many times, emotional barriers on your part or the part of the person you are
speaking which may inhibit your ability to communicate on an effective
level.

Factors causing Emotional Barrier

 Fear / insecurity
 Mistrust
 Stress

How to overcome?

 Motivation and commitment to change

 Peer or mentor support
 Practice expressing recognition
 5. Gender Barrier
 Relationships, respect, workplace authority and education are common ways
men and women are pitted against each other.
 Overcoming barriers in gender communication isn‟t simple but can be made
clear with a little patience and understanding.
 This barrier arises because men and women have different ways of thinking
and communication.

Factors causing Gender Barriers

 Fear and shy

 Environment
 Misunderstanding

How to overcome?

 The process of bridging the gap in Gender Communication requires the great
deal of patience and understanding that only time and attention will teach.

6. Organizational Barrier
 Organizational structure greatly affects the capability of the employees as far
as the communication is concerned . All the internal factors which stymie or
block the process of communication are known as organizational barriers.
Some such factors have already been discussed like restrictive environments,
deceptive tactics and communication network.

Factors causing Organizational Barriers

 Status relationship
 One way flow
 Organization structure

How to overcome?

 Poor structure to the communication

 A weak delivery
 The use of the wrong medium to deliver the communication
 7. Perceptual Barrier
 The most common problem is that the people have difference opinion
 The varied perceptions of every individual give rise to a need for effective
communication
 We all have our own preferences, values, attitudes, origins and life
experiences that act as „filters‟ on our experiences of people, events and
information

Factors causing Perceptual Barrier

 Difference in Understanding
 Difference in Perception of Reality
 Difference in values, attitudes and Opinions

How to overcome?

 Start by listening to others

 Clarify if there is confusion
 Stay calm and be positive