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Natural disasters of the Asia Pacific Region: Communication and Social

Resources to support the study of natural disasters in the Asia Pacific Region.

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Effective Communication

Conversation is one of the most basic and essential communication skills. It enables people to share thoughts, opinions, and ideas and receive them in turn. Although it may appear simple on the surface, effective conversations include a give-and-take exchange that consists of elements such as:

  • body language
  • eye contact
  • summarizing
  • paraphrasing
  • responding
  • understanding
  • intellectual/emotional connection

[Source: Wabisabi Learning]

Communication and Social ATL skills

ATL Visual MYP (2021). ATL Visual MYP.pdf. [online] Google Docs. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17EtYRXcX7gm6lQ5L1Q2z1Z4_cefLg-4E/view [Accessed 21 Feb. 2021].

Collaborative Learning

1. Understand that collaborative studying can be more effective.

Groups lend themselves to opportunities for discussion, clarification, and evaluation of each other’s contributions.

  • Take the time to write your own thoughts and ideas before coming to the group.
  • Keep study groups midsized, ideally no more than 4 or 5.
  • Know and bring your strengths to the group.

2. Establish the core tenets of your group.

  • Know each other’s communication style and get to know all members personally.
  • Incorporate ground rules to ensure safety, openness, and full cooperation.
  • Honour deadlines and timetables, because productive use of time is essential.
  • Know your role and what you are responsible for.
  • Document study meetings in the form of minutes.

3. With core tenets in place tackle the problem at hand.

  • Understand the assignment completely, and share that understanding across the team.
  • Organize tasks and deadlines and ensure everyone is clear on them.
  • Delegate among group members according to their strengths and talents.
  • Regularly meet for review.

4. Be ready to use online methods of communication.

Online task managers are designed from the ground up with experienced collaborators. They can shed light on how your team can improve its offline group mindset.

  • Set regular times to meet online.
  • Participate fully by reading, responding to, and contributing to online discussions.
  • Be knowledgeable of online etiquette, protocol, and methods.

5. Incorporate strategic contingency plans as problems arise.

  • First, try to resolve problems as a group.
  • Contact the teacher for problems.

[Source: Wabisabi Learning]