Week 3    (Jan 27 - Feb 2, 2014)

In week 3 we will explore the role of communication, both verbal and nonverbal, in managing conflicts.

Objectives:

1. To understand the importance of nonverbal communication in communication generally

2. To identify the characteristics of good communication for speakers and listeners

3. To understand the importance of active listening skills for negotiation and mediation

Activities:

1. "Enough to Make My Head Spin" story and discussion

2. "Lost in Translation" video viewing and discussion (Note: the video contains bad language and is not intended for use in the classroom; rather, it is a tool for your own understanding of culture as it relates to conflict) 

3. Abegaz and the Lion story

4. Active listening techniques activity

Guest Speaker: Tarek Massarrani, dialogue facilitator, will share his experiences working with Israeli and Palestinian teens to build understanding between communities in conflict.

Task 1: Non-Verbal Communication (Days 1-2; January 27-28)

a.  Read the story "Enough to Make My Head Spin."  Enough to Make Your Head Spin.pdf

b. Share experiences here on our Google Community in which you were misunderstood in another culture, what that experience was like for you, how you dealt with it and what you learned from it.

Task 2: Communicating Across Cultures (Days 2-4; January 28-30)

a. View the video below: Lost in Translation (Note: the video contains bad language and is not intended for use in the classroom; rather, it is a tool for your own understanding of culture as it relates to conflict.) 

While watching, think about the following:  What problems in communication do you see and how could these problems be addressed? Post your responses at Lost in Translation.

b. Come back to the Google Community starting January 29 for a discussion about your responses.

Task 3: Active Listening (Days 3-6; January 29-February 1) 

a. Listen to the story Abegaz and the Lion or read the story in the PDF Abegaz and the Lion.pdf. What is the key message in the story for you? Add your thoughts here.

b.  Read the Active Listening Techniques handout. Active Listening Techniques.pdf

c. Have a conversation with a family member or colleague and use the active listening skills on the handout during your conversation. After the conversation, ask the person you are speaking with if they felt listened to. Ask them what specifically you did that made them feel listened to. 

d. Join the discussion exercise on the Google Community under the Active Listening Tab. 

Task 4: Office Hours: Sunday, February 2, 2:00 pm GMT (Day 7; February 2)

Join the Hangout on Air (HOA) on Sunday, February 2 at 2:00 pm GMT to have a conversation about bringing the ideas discussed during the week into your classroom. To join the HOA, go to the Virtual Studio for instructions. The link for the HOA will be posted 15 minutes before the start of the session.

Use the World Time Zone Converter to calculate what 2:00 pm GMT is in your local time.

HELPDESK: Technical questions? Go to the Helpdesk Page of this wiki and post your question in the comments section at the bottom of the page.