Communication

So what does communication look like in the 21st century world… What did it look like the 20th century… What really changed… communicating with others or the tools that are being used?

My daughter sends a snap to her friend from her phone, who gets it on her watch, who uses Siri to send to another friend, who shares it on Insta with the rest of the high school student body…

My dad picks up his flip phone to call his friend to go fishing…

I saw my grandfather writing a letter the other day. Put it in an envelope with a stamp (gasp!!)…

A group email about changes to an upcoming baby shower…

A group chat that is mostly made up of insults and gifs (as all good sibling chats should be)…

I don’t think the art of communication has changed. We still expect manners and politeness but the way and how of those are a little different.

I remember my mom working with us on phone manners (before caller ID). I also remember her going from loudly correcting our wrong behavior to “Hello” very sweetly in a matter of 3 seconds. Being able to “May I speak to…” instead of “Let me talk to…” were important skills to learn. Even though, most of the time we know who we are speaking to before they answer, using kindness is still important. Sometimes the voice over the phone is the only impression you get if someone or some business. Caller ID has taken away the need to answer every phone call immediately (or correct the tone before answering…) Speaker phone — there is a time and place — as in you are in the middle of cooking dinner in your own house and you answer on speaker, in your car – connected to Bluetooth. Being aware of your surroundings, not using speaker phone in church during a funeral, the grocery store, at school, in the office, the movies, a recital… you might be sharing sensitive information or interrupting a situation.

Also, can I say email etiquette??? Are emojis okay?🤔 (Do I use okay or ok in a professional email??) 😳 Slang terminology? No punctuation? No CAPITALIZATION?! Is txt lnguge ok 4 email w/boss?) Although some of the rules have changed about using emojis (they are considered useful, because can we say tone??) 🙄 in professional emails, there is something to be said for a well-written email. 🤓 As teachers we are now helping students to understand that they are important, their names are important, capitalize that first letter! 🤩

I think we have become to familiar with one another though social media and become lax in our communication skills. I think that can trickle down into a classroom. I think communication must be modeled to see success. Communication lets others see how you respect them… are you listening, what kind of tone does your voice (or face) show? I think that is why emojis have become acceptable in the business world. Working with junior high students, I always ask, “How many of you have ever been in trouble for the way you said, ‘fine’ to your parents?” As expected, I get giggles, and then 10 stories of them telling on themselves. No matter the age, we all understand that tone is important (even my dog knows about tone, as he was scolded earlier for eating paper, again!). As a parent, you don’t know you have tone, until the mini-me starts repeating it back to you. 😳 In the classroom, my tone can come out of my eyes, I’ve got to work on that. As you learn your students, we learn which tone works best and not at all with kids. I think we must convey the usefulness of a “business tone” when working in a classroom. Showing respect when talking with your classmates may look like: not making fun a a classmate, allowing others to have a turn speaking, knowing that you aren’t always right, allowing someone else the first spin, agree to disagree (you don’t have to agree with a person to stay their friend), using the inside voice, working to make sure your eyes use their inside voice as well.

Communication in a classroom can also be through social media and LMS sites. Students should remember that polite language should be used (rated G please!), don’t spam the group messages with GIFs that aren’t related to the lesson. In the same way as raising your hand, take turns, allow others a turn to answer first, no CAPS (inside voice), do your best for spelling and punctuation (thank goodness for spell check!), no plagiarism (your words should be your words, and if somebody said it better – quote them!), and kindness. Think before you speak or type.

Communication is our bridge to the other side – it is the wires that connect us to others – don’t cut them off in the middle. Don’t be that tangled mess.