Improving Communication Skills Through a Structured Plan
Overview
Students select a communication skill they want to improve, create a plan to develop that skill, implement it over two weeks, and reflect on their experience.
Why Use This?
In addition to learning interpersonal communication concepts, students have the opportunity to reflect on their own communication skills, choose one area for improvement, and actively practice this skill while completing the course. In addition to practice, students engage in self-reflection and receive feedback at multiple points throughout the semester.
⭐What Students Say
Students appreciate the opportunity to actually practice a specific skill outside of the classroom.
Student feedback indicates that constructing the actual plan for improvement is the most challenging part of the process. Students have a difficult time identifying a step-by-step process for achieving their specific goal.
How Does It Work?
Students begin by choosing a communication skill they want to work on, such as active listening, asking for help, or conflict management. They then use a provided template to create a step-by-step plan to improve that skill.
After completing the template, students exchange feedback on their plans. Once they’ve incorporated any suggested revisions, they put their plan into action by practicing the skill over a two-week period and keeping a journal to reflect on their progress.
Throughout the semester, students submit each required part of their communication improvement plan (for example, their chosen topic, completed template, peer feedback, and journal) for evaluation.
Purpose
The overall purpose of this project is for you to improve on a communication skill of your choice. More specifically, you will identify a skill, construct a plan for improving on this skill, and implement your plan for two weeks. At the end of this project, you will reflect on your experience and progress in improving your chosen communication skill.
This is a semester-long project. Therefore, you will have different elements of the project due at various points throughout the semester. Each component of this project will be introduced on Canvas.
Instructions
Topic Selection
• 5 points
• Due Lesson 2
• Select a communication skill you want to focus on improving over the course of the semester.
Plan Construction
• 25 points
• Due Lesson 5
• Construct your communication plan. You will be provided with a template and an example.
Peer Feedback on Plan
• 10 points
• Due Lesson 6
• Provide feedback on a classmate’s communication plan.
Plan Implementation and Journaling
• 25 points
• Due Lesson 9
• Put your plan into practice. Spend two weeks practicing your skill and reflecting on the process.
Purpose
Now that you’ve selected your skill, it’s time to create the actual plan you will follow to practice your skill.
Instructions
1. Download the Communication Improvement Plan Template Download Communication Improvement Plan Template.
2. Fill out the template. Be sure to do the following:
o State your problem.
o Identify your specific goal.
o Outline your specific plan. Important It is especially important that this step of your chart (your specific plan) is well thought out because you will be implementing it when you practice your skill with others. You want to think to yourself: what specific steps/behaviors must I do to achieve my goal?
o Identify how you will know you have reached your goal.
3. Save your completed template, and submit it for evaluation and feedback.
Tip
Review this example of a Communication Improvement Plan Download Communication Improvement Plan. This example uses the template and gives you an idea of the detail and specificity required to create a meaningful plan.
Keep In Mind
- Launch the assignment early in the semester to give students enough time to choose a skill, practice it, and reflect on the experience.
- Scaffolding is key. Breaking this activity up into smaller steps across the semester gives students time to realistically apply their plan and see any type of improvement.
- Peer feedback is essential. In your assignment instructions, be clear about deadlines and participation expectations. You might also consider adding a step where students must submit a revised version of their plan after they’ve incorporated the feedback from their peers.