Module 25

Module 25 is about how to use visuals in proper and effective ways.  When creating a rough draft of your document visuals can help to see that ideas are presented completely and can help to find relationships.  Once you get to the final draft of your document or presentation visuals should be used to make points vivid, emphasize material, present material more completely, and focus on information needed by decision makers. Visuals are supposed to tell a story. The way to find a story for your visual is to focus on a topic, simplify the data, and finally look for changes and relationships.  It is always important to make sure you use the right kind of visual. Tables are best when your audience needs to see exact values, pie charts are best for comparing a part to a whole, and a line graph or bar chart is good at comparing one item to another.  Color and clip art are things to be used with caution in your visuals.  The reason is that it may mean different things to different people.  Always make sure that your visuals are accurate and ethical.  The first aspect of the module I found useful is the part that tells you what kind of visual to use, it is helpful to know such things.  I also found it useful to know that you should not use the same visuals in your documents and presentation unless they are very simple. 

Module 3

Module three is about with how to communicate across cultures.   First, it is important to know what culture is.  Culture is our understanding of acceptable actions and beliefs.  There are high- context culture, where little is spelled out, and low- context cultures, where most things are explicitly spelled out.  Japan is an example of a high- context culture and the United States in an example of a low- context culture.  Culture affects business communication in every way because not everyone has the same values, beliefs, and practices.  Nonverbal communication, body language, personal space, time, oral communication, and writing to an international audience are more ways in which culture is important.  It may be hard to know how to communicate properly since there are so many cultures, but if you focus on being sensitive and flexible it will help.  It is also important to make sure your documents are bias- free. You can do this by using nonsexist, nonracist, and nonagist language.  I think the part of the module that teaches you how to make language appropriate for all people is one important aspect.  Another important aspect is to always remember that things like time and personal space are looked at differently by other cultures.

Module 20

Module 20 is about giving you the skills to deliver an effective oral presentation. Most oral presentations have more than one purpose: they can be informative, persuasive, and/ or goodwill presentations.  When planning your presentation it is important to choose what kind you want to give.  You can give a monologue; where you talk without interruption, a guided discussion; where you present questions and issues, or a sales presentation; where the tone is more like a conversation.  Always think about the audience and what their reaction might be to your presentation.  Visuals are a great way to involve the audience.  Use a program like PowerPoint to enhance your presentation.  Strong openers and closers to presentations are hard to think of; it may help to use a startling statement, narration/ anecdote, question, or quotation.  When organizing your presentation it can be helpful to use one of these five patters: chronological, problem- causes- solution, excluding alternatives, pro- con, or 1 -2 – 3.  One useful aspect of the module is the section on keys to delivering an effective presentation.  The book suggests transforming your fear, using eye contact, standing and gesturing, and using notes and visuals.  I also thought it was important to try and anticipate any questions you might be asked.     

Module 24

Module 23

Modules 27 and 28

Module 22