Communication – Skills for Success Practitioner Tools & Resources

Active Listening

Active listening involves listening with all senses, paying attention to the speaker and listening to understand. Participants with strong active listening skills ask questions to clarify information and paraphrase the message to demonstrate understanding.

Shier, M. (2020, September 11). 4.1 active listening. Student Success. https://opentextbc.ca/studentsuccess/chapter/active-listening/
Deveci, Tanju. (2018). Listening as a lifelong learning skill- what, why, and how.
Critical Art of Listening. (n.d.). LearnSphere. https://learnsphere.ca/assets/Documents/ES-Critical-Art-of-Listening-workshop.pdf

Bias

Assessment, Communication, Social-Emotional LearningASS-1.1, ASS-2.1, ASS-3.1, ASS-3.3, SFS-3.6, SFS-3.8

Bias is a disproportionate weight in favor of or against an idea, person or thing, usually in a way that is closed-minded, prejudicial or unfair.

Communication and Cognitive Bias

Bias-Free Communication. https://www.canr.msu.edu/od/uploads/files/Civil_Rights/Bias-Free_Communication_2009.pdf
Service, C. S. of P. (2021, February 16). Facilitation Essentials: Unconscious Bias. Government of Canada. https://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/tools/jobaids/unconscious-bias-eng.aspx
(Mis)Understanding Others: Three Biases that Affect How We Communicate. NeuroLeadership Institute. https://neuroleadership.com/your-brain-at-work/biases-shape-communication/
The 5 Biggest Biases That Affect Decision-Making. NeuroLeadership Institute. https://neuroleadership.com/your-brain-at-work/seeds-model-biases-affect-decision-making/

Assessment Bias

Making Unconscious Bias Conscious. Canadian Evaluation Society. https://evaluationcanada.ca/module-3-making-unconscious-bias-conscious
The Glossary of Education Reform. Test Bias. https://www.edglossary.org/test-bias/

Business Measures

Communication, ResearchDES-2.1

Business measures or metrics are quantifiable measures that businesses use to track, monitor and assess an organization’s long and short term progress.

ABC Life Literacy Canada. How Essential Skills Training Unlocks Business Value. https://abclifeliteracy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/advancing-workplace-learning.pdf
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. Business Results Through Essential Skills and Literacy. http://www.en.copian.ca/library/research/cme/business/business.pdf
Business Development Bank of Canada. Key performance indicators (KPIs). https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/operations/operational-efficiency/kpis-key-performance-indicators

Communication Teaching and Learning Materials

Communication, Teaching and Learning Materials

Communication teaching and learning materials are designed to help develop participants’ ability to receive, understand, consider, and share information and ideas through speaking, listening, and interacting with others.

The following links include practical, printable, ready-made resources to use in the delivery of Skills for Success training.

ABC up Skills for Work Workbook. (n.d.). Communication
Utah Education Network. Adult Roles and Responsibilities. Communication Lesson Plans

Community Building

Collaboration, CommunicationDEL-2.2

Community building is creating a sense of community that impacts the success of the participants and fosters a positive learning environment.

Building Community. Centre for Teaching and Learning – Western University. (n.d.). https://teaching.uwo.ca/teaching/engaging/building-community.html

Feedback

Adaptability, Assessment, CommunicationASS-1.3, ASS-3.1, ASS-4.1, ASS-4.3, DEL-3.4, DES-3.2, SFS-2.7, SFS-3.5, SFS-3.6, SFS-3.7, SFS-3.9

Feedback is information given to the participant about their performance relating to learning goals or outcomes. It should aim to improve the participant’s learning.

Feedback and Formative Assessment Tools. https://www.queensu.ca/. (n.d.). https://www.queensu.ca/teachingandlearning/modules/assessments/11_s2_03_feedback_and_formative.html
Feedback. https://tlc.ontariotechu.ca/. (n.d.). https://tlc.ontariotechu.ca/teaching/course-design/assessment-and-evaluation/feedback.php
Giving Effective Feedback in an Intercultural Class. https://www.algonquincollege.com/lts/giving-effective-feedback-in-an-intercultural-class/
Receiving and Giving Effective Feedback. https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/assessing-student-work/grading-and-feedback/receiving-and-giving-effective-feedback
Providing Feedback to Students. https://umanitoba.ca/centre-advancement-teaching-learning/support/providing-feedback

Inclusive Language

Communication, Diversity and InclusionDEL-1.2

Inclusive language is the words and phrases that avoid biases, slang, and expressions that discriminate against any particular group of people. Incorporating inclusive language in the classroom can create a sense of empowerment, identity and pride.

Engagement, G. C. and P. (2021, August 5). Inclusive language and terms. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/home/accessible-government/toolkit/audience-diversity/inclusive-language-and-terms
Words matter – guidelines on using inclusive language in the workplace . Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/careers/all-employees/working-with-others/words-matter.pdf
Inclusive Language Guide. Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia. (2022, June 23). https://med-fom-fac-dev-sandbox.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2021/05/2021-05-19_Inclusive-Language-Guide.pdf

Non-verbal

CommunicationSFS-3.8

Non-verbal communication is the transfer of information through body language, facial expressions and gestures. The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships.

Shier, M. (2020, September 11). 4.1 active listening. Student Success. https://opentextbc.ca/studentsuccess/chapter/active-listening/
Phillips, J. (1993). Nonverbal Communication: An Essential Skill in the Workplace. Australian Medical Record Journal, 23(4), 132–134. https://doi.org/10.1177/183335839302300406
Deveci, Tanju. (2018). Listening as a lifelong learning skill- what, why, and how.

Plain Language

Communication, WritingDES-3.2

Plain language is the communication the audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. Plain language makes information easier to find, read and understand which allows for fewer mistakes and fewer explanations.

Writing Resources – Plain Language. Government of Canada. https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/ressources-resources/ressources-resources/langue-claire-plain-language-eng
Plain language tools. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/services-for-government/service-experience-digital-delivery/web-content-development-guides/web-style-guide/plain-language-course/plain-language-tools
Plain Language Trainer’s Guide. Government of Canada. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/ircc/MP95-2-1-1994-eng.pdf

Project-based

Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Innovation, Problem-solvingSFS-2.3, SFS-3.4, SFS-3.6

Project-based is a student-centered approach to instruction designed to give participants the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging, real-world projects.

What is PBL? PBLWorks. (n.d.). https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl