Post #10 "Lost in Translation"

As with anything in life, the things that we attempt to communicate to others may not be received in the manner that we intended. This is also very true in classrooms. As teachers we present information and communicate to our students. It is important for both the communicator and the receiver to be aware that misconceptions can and will occur during the learning and communication process. The activity that we did in class yesterday would serve as an exceptional tool to convey the concept of a breakdown in communication. As I mentioned in class, I wholeheartedly intend to use this activity on the first day of school in my science class. Students need to be aware that misconceptions are a common occurrence, but through better communication on both ends, those misconceptions can be reduced to allow them to reach a better understanding of what is being communicated. Like with writing, communication in all forms is a process and the skills to communicate efficiently will need to be learned and refined throughout the school year. By doing this activity with my students I hope to ease any anxieties about learning science and begin to develop the appropriate communication skills to become successful with the content material.