Language: Specific and Abstract
By Mary Brignall
In this learning activity you'll arrange words from abstract or general language to specific language.
Mechanism Description: Staple Remover
By Bev Paulick
In this learning activity you'll write a technical description of a staple remover.
Listening: Comprehension and Recall
By Rosie Bunnow
Learners practice their comprehension and recall skills while listening to narration on listening skills. Sound required.
Mechanism Description: Padlock
In this learning activity you'll write a technical description of a padlock.
Listening for Retention
Learners listen to a workplace conversation and are tested on their retention of information. This activity has audio content.
Feasibility Topic Determination
In this learning activity you'll determine appropriate feasibility studies from a list of selected topics.
The Question and Answer Period
By Dr. Rose Marie Mastricola
In this learning activity you'll explore the guidelines for an effective question and answer period after giving a speech.
Leaving a Telephone Message
By Susan Maloney
Students listen to three telephone messages and enter their evaluation of each one. They then read a list of guidelines for leaving effective messages.
Logical Reasoning in Speeches -"Either/Or" Fallacy
By Dr. Cynthia Ellenbecker
In this learning activity you'll be introduced to the either/or fallacy.
Using Imperatives (Commands)
By Sandy Eyler
In this learning object you'll convert descriptive phrases into imperative sentences.
Thinking About the Topic: Considering Your Purpose for Writing
By Deborah Seline
In this learning activity you'll review the four main purposes for writing documents: expressive, literary, persuasive, and reality.
Personal Behavior and Communication
By Gretchen Grimm
In this learning activity you'll reflect on possible behavior choices and their impact on communication.
Tricky Communication Situations: Magic Secret Formulas
By Marilyn Carien
In this learning activity you'll create strategies for sending and receiving complaints and requests.
A Listening Improvement Plan
In this learning activity you'll produce a personal listening improvement plan based on good listening techniques.
Identifying External Noise
The learner will read a mini-lecture defining external noise and will complete an activity.
The Phases of Conflict
By Kathy Henning
In this learning activity you'll explore the four stages of conflict (latent, triggering incident, conflict, new equilibrium) and then creates a similar diagram applying to a specific personal conflict.
Brainstorming for a Speech
In this learning activity you'll brainstorm and compose a list of speech topics.
Male or Female? Gender and Communication Tendencies
In this learning activity you'll explore communication tendencies from a list and identifies them as typically “male” and “female”.
Barriers to Critical Thinking: Use of Language
By Therese Nemec
Learners examine how language can interfere with clear communication. They select examples of ambiguity, assuring expressions, doublespeak euphemisms, jargon, emotive content, false implications, meaningless comparisons, and vagueness. In an interactive exercise, learners identify ways to overcome these barriers.
Mechanism / Ballpoint Pen
By Terri Langan
In this learning activity you can practice writing a technical descriptions of a pen.
Barriers to Critical Thinking: Psychological and Sociological Pitfalls
Learners examine the psychological and sociological barriers that interfere with clear communication. They select examples of ad hominem fallacy, bandwagon fallacy, emotional appeals, red herrings, irrelevant appeals to authority, suggestibility and conformity, “poisoning the well’, and “shoehorning.” In an interactive exercise, learners identify ways to overcome these barriers.
Conflict: Assessing Levels of Power
In this learning activity you'll explore five types of power: legitimate, referent, coercive, reward, and expert.
Tricky Communication Situations: Analyzing the Situation
In this learning activity you'll examine strategies to help you deal with tricky personal and business communication situations.
Listening for Details Self-Assessment
In this learning activity you'll use active listening skills to answer 10 questions based on a story.
Assumptions vs. Facts
By Barbara Liang
Learners read the definitions of an assumption and a fact. They then provide their own examples of each and compare those to the examples provided.