Recognizing Diverse Communication Patterns for Effective Online Pedagogy

Would you like to explore some strategies for fostering inclusiveness in online pedagogy? A growing body of literature highlights the need for faculty-student and student-student interaction in order to create an inclusive atmosphere and establish a sense of belonging in the classroom. Differences in communication styles often pose challenges in classroom participation, collaboration, and the interpretation of information in an online environment. Cultural factors have a significant impact on students’ self-learning, group interaction, and communication styles. By creating an inclusive atmosphere, faculty can promote greater self-awareness, deepen intercultural sensitivity, and encourage meaningful interaction and collaboration among diverse groups. An understanding of diverse communication patterns is critical to the academic success of culturally and linguistically diverse student populations. At Queensborough Community College (City University of New York), student diversity encompasses a broad range of bilingual immigrants, varied learning styles, and a significant representation of cultural and educational backgrounds. Professional development related to intercultural communication is highly valued at the college. The facilitator focuses on identifying seven communication patterns (such as linear/circular; direct/indirect; abstract/concrete, etc.) and participants engage in interactive strategies for enhancing intercultural communication competence in the virtual classroom. Participants leave the workshop able to recognize the efficacy of their own communication style.

By the end of this workshop, participants know or will be able to:

• Identify diverse communication styles in the virtual environment.
• Analyze three communication patterns that affect online performance and collaboration.
• Assess the effectiveness of their own communication patterns in the virtual environment.

Plans for Audience Participation and Interaction:

The workshop includes the following activities for participant engagement: A self-assessment worksheet intended to enhance diversity awareness; a scenario analysis that explores how variables in communication styles affect online interaction and collaboration; a reflective pair activity; and a collaborative Jamboard activity.

All workshop participants can obtain, at no additional cost:

• A digital badge and certificate that provide a web-enabled, verifiable documentation of your professional learning experience.
• CEUs, which are awarded by passing the post-workshop learning assessment with a score of 80% or better.