D1

I have used several different interpersonal and written skills during my course, these include:

• Verbal Communication.
• Teacher broadcasting demonstration
• Using Blogger
• Using Gmail
• Publishing images (prints screens)
• Using PowerPoint
• Using publisher
• Using Google calendar

Verbal Communication- I have used verbal communication in my course and I believe this was the most effective way for me personally, as the teacher would explain the task before we started to make sure that we were aware of what we were doing. This was very effective as I was able to follow the teacher easily and found it easier to get on with my work. Verbal communication is good, due to having face to face communication, this makes it easy to engage in conversation. The disadvantage of verbal communication is that some people may not find it effective as they are unable to listen due to losing interest.

Teacher broadcasting demonstration- This is also an effective as during my course, the teacher would show us a step by step on how to do our work on our computers to that we are able to follo, for example showing us where the task was and which one we were doing. The disadvantage of this would be that it could be quite confusing due to the teacher going too fast.

Using Blogger- I used blogger a lot through this course, as this is where all my work was uploaded too. My teacher would also give me feedback on Blogger so that I can do any corrections. This is an advantage as it is quick and simple. The disadvantage of using Blogger would be that it took me time to learn how to upload the work as I had never used it before.

Using Gmail- I used Gmail to send and receive emails from my teachers. Again we used this to send and receive feedback on our work and if there was any corrections that we had to do. There are any advantages of using Gmail, including that you are able to use this anywhere as long as your computer has an internet connection. A disadvantage of using Gmail would be that if the internet was down, we wouldn’t be able to use this, which is time consuming due to deadlines.

Publishing images- During one of my tasks in ICT I had to do a personal development plan where I would teach myself skills that I didn’t have. To prove that we were doing this we used print screening and uploaded it onto our bloggers. The only disadvantage of this would be that it is time consuming, especially if you are new to doing it, also it takes time as we had to crop them on ‘firework’ which was also time consuming.

Using PowerPoint- I used PowerPoint often during my course, I find this very simple software to use. I used this when during tasks. I find this effective as you are able to use bullet points on the main screen, but then you can also write notes in further detail at the bottom. The disadvantages of using PowerPoint would be that some animations and colours can distract the audience from what you are trying to present to them.

Using Publisher- I used Publisher during my course, I used this to make a leaflet on why employers employee attributes. I found Publisher confusing at the start as I hadn’t used it much. After I had got used to it I was able to complete the work. I was able to put pictures and colours onto my leaflet to make the leaflet stand out more, which was effective. A disadvantage of Publisher would be that there a lot of options for you to choose which could be confusing to people that haven’t used it before.

Using Google calendar- During my course I had a task that required using Google calendar, as I had to do a development plan. I wasn’t sure how to use this but after the teacher explained it and I tried it myself I was able to get used to it. There are many uses for Google calendar, which is an advantage. A disadvantage for Google calendar would be that it can only be used if you have internet connection.

M3

There are a variety of different types of learning styles that can aid personal development including the three I am going to talk about, these are:

 • Visual
 • Auditory
 • Kinaesthetic

 Visual learning: This is where you learn things through seeing or observing them, including pictures, diagrams and films. People find reading instructions or watching someone else do it first easier to learn. For me this is a good way to learn as it shows you directly what to do so you are able to learn correctly and quickly. Visual learning is the learning style that I use most for a number of things, for example when studying for a test I like to draw pictures which helps me learn. Also whilst I am at school I prefer to sit at the front of the class so I am able to watch the teacher closely.

 Auditory learning: This is for those people that find it easier to learn through hearing things. Teachers find this method effective and they demonstrate most of their work on a whiteboard. I use this style of learning often for example if I have read something at school and I have struggled to understand it, if I then listen to a teacher explaining it I will fully understand. Another example of auditory learning is being able to listen to a song and remember all the words that they hear.

 Kinaesthetic learning: This method is for those who learn through doing things. For example for people who would rather try things before asking for help. I use this method of learning sometimes when I find it effective such as when I am in class I lose concentration easily if there is no movement, therefore I take notes whilst a teaching is speaking for the sake of moving my hands and staying focused on the work. I use this style of learning outside of school also, for example when I got my IPod I preferred to try and work out how to use it instead of just reading the instructions.

 To conclude, the learning style that I use most would be visual and kinaesthetic learning. As I find drawing pictures before a test benefits me in the long run as it is easier to follow and easier to remember. I also prefer to be doing activities with music and moving than sitting and listening as I tend to lose concentration.

M2

Written communication styles change to the different audience you are communicating with. For example using formal language in an interview and using slang if you were communicating with your friends. Also whilst writing a CV you would use formal language and you would then proof read and check your spelling and grammar before sending away to make sure that any mistakes are changed.

Tutorial screen shots

Task 3

 Background noise could distract the people you are communicating with, for example if there is music or somebody else talking. This would make it hard for the audience to concentrate and make the person doing it feel uncomfortable. To overcome this you would tell the audience politely to stop talking and listen to you, or if they had to speak or wanted to listen to music to go into another room. Also a noise in the background would prevent the audience from hearing correctly.

 

 The audience may loose interest due to distractions from other people in the audience doing things which distract others, for example if people were talking and not listening or on their phones. To overcome this ask them if they need to speak or use their phones go into another room, if not to try e quieter. It would also be hard to concentrate on a speaker when you are not physically comfortable. To make yourself more comfortable you could make sure that you are not to hot or cold, or that you have a drink of water with you so you are not thirsty.

Lack of concentration is a barrier of communication, including not listening clearly for example if people were talking. Most people have to concentrate on one thing at a time leaving them not listening to the person doing the presentation. To overcome this they could leave the room if not interested instead of distracting everyone else or having full concentration on the person talking. Also lack of concentration from the people in the audience could cause a lack of concentration to the person delivering the presentation due to people talking or using their phone.  

To engage the audience and make sure you have their full attention you need to make sure you connect with them. You can connect with the audience by the use of eye contact, this shows that you are involving them directly. If you use effective body language it shows that you want to engage with the audience.

Modulating your voice is when you use a certain tone depending on your audience. Your vocabulary is also important. If you are interacting with younger people you don’t want to be using words they may not understand. However, you don’t want to come across as patronising if you are delivering a presentation to adults. 

When summarising after reading the source until you fully understand, you need to show a clear indication of the main points in your own words without using the same word or phrase as the original. 

You must use open body language when presenting to your audience. An example of bad body language would be closed body language this includes things such as crossing your arms. If you have your arms crossed when delivering your presentation it gives off the impression you don’t want to communicate effectively with your audience. You need to use facial expressions as this can show enthusiasm, if you come across as boring people wont want to listen to you and it is important you have your audiences full attention. 

You must be polite and speak to people in a formal manner. For example swearing, this could offend people and make them question how professional you are. 

Unit 1 Task 1

Hello