Understanding Communication

Picture of Understanding Communication
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$389
AUD
35% off
$599 AUD
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 5622 Students

Become aware of the conscious and unconscious codes of meaning we send when communicating with others.

Communicating successfully depends on effective use of communication strategies and behaviors. Words, facial and body movements, tone of voice, even clothing and situation, all form an intricate symbol system that must be quickly translated by those who want to communicate.

It has been said that there is no communication unless a mutual sharing of meaning takes place. It has also been said that one cannot NOT communicate. These two ideas seem to oppose one another, but they are two sides of the same coin. A smile can have many meanings. And so can silence.

This course will show you how to manage the conscious and unconscious codes of meaning we send to each other and to respond with appropriate codes in turn.

This course explains and explores concepts of verbal and nonverbal expression including personal style, listening, relationship dynamics, self-esteem, conflict management, and cultural and gender communication differences.

Examples, graphics, and theoretical models help clarify communication topics and simplify the process for effective communication in family, personal, and professional situations.

Communicating is necessary. Knowing how to do it well is personally satisfying and professionally wise.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In this lesson, we'll explore two detailed models that explain the complex nature of communication. You'll learn how words, the situation, what's going on in the heads of those communicating, and even environment are all connected—and that they all change from one communication event to the next. I'll explain a way to think about and use language that will help you more effectively avoid misunderstandings.

Have you ever been in a situation where you don't know whether to say less, say more, or say nothing? In this lesson, you'll learn seven premises of communication that will help you through those times. Have you ever felt shy, apprehensive, or reluctant about communicating? This lesson will help you understand that reluctance and offer you two strategies for improving communication competence.

In this lesson, you'll learn how our individual emotions, beliefs, attitudes, and values as well as self-esteem and group belonging influence how we communicate. You'll also explore how we all seek gratification of specific human needs through the unique and complicated communication process.

In this lesson, I'll show you how language affects reasoning abilities. You'll learn about constructing useful word maps that benefit your decision making as well as strategies you can use to avoid mental traps that can clog your thinking process. You'll also learn that language has limits, often making it difficult to separate fact from fiction.

Can you say something without uttering a word? In addition to voice, facial expression, and body movement, today we'll talk about other ways people send messages without making a sound. You'll also learn that men and women develop and use very different nonverbal communication behaviors—sending messages of either inclusion or exclusion.

In this lesson, we'll look at cultural identity and how it molds habits of communication no matter what the language of the culture is. You'll learn how cultures of the world are divided into two main categories. You'll examine how individuals and groups generalize and stereotype others and the psychological reasons for doing that.

In this lesson, we'll explore types of listening as well as the discipline listening requires. We'll go over the barriers to effective listening, and strategies you can use to improve your listening habits. We'll compare poor listening to empathic listening, and then evaluate the effects each has on personal and professional communication success.

In this lesson, you're invited to examine gender differences from the inside out. You'll learn how brain structure as well as physical structure helps determine how men and women communicate. You'll learn about the ways humans learn to act as either masculine or feminine and who teaches them. We'll explore how differences in masculine and feminine behavior manifest themselves in personal and business relationships.

In today's lesson, you'll learn the three main characteristics that make up any relationship as well as the stages that all relationships go through. I'll show you how to identify relationship stages in order to evaluate relationships you have. You'll explore how self-disclosure and psychological balance affects relationships and discover the role lying plays in relationships.

Today we'll examine several communication theories that will be useful in analyzing and understanding communication behaviors of yourself and others. You'll learn three rules for effective communication behavior that will help you know when and how to adjust your communication behavior. You'll also learn how you can influence the behavior of others in the communication situation.

In this lesson, you'll learn how people can change the direction of a conversation to advance a personal agenda. We'll go over strategies of persuasion, characteristics of credibility, and how to achieve a sense of control in a communication situation. We'll also explore the nature of communication cohesiveness within small groups and where individuality fits in group membership.

In our last lesson, you'll learn how to identify various types of interpersonal conflicts and then we'll discuss some myths about conflict. We'll explore ways in which men and women handle conflict differently, and how different cultural groups approach and resolve conflict. You'll learn how to dissect a conflict and apply four steps to successful conflict resolution at work, within the family, or among friends.

Laurel Bragstad

Laurel Bragstad

Laurel Bragstad combines her understanding of communication theory and human relationships to design curriculum in interpersonal communication, public speaking, journalism, persuasion, and theory and research. With a Master of Arts degree in inter... Read more

Read Laurel Bragstad's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Understanding Communication you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Ready to get started?

Enrol Now

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Windows 8 Fundamentals Online Course | Vibe Learning
 

Windows 8 Fundamentals

Picture of Windows 8 Fundamentals
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 1511 Students

Learn how get the most from the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system, including managing apps, programs, photos, files, and folders.

Welcome to the world of Microsoft Windows 8! It's a robust, powerful operating system that gives you an efficient way to manage all the apps, programs, files, and folders you use regularly. In this course, you'll learn the basics so you can make the most of this operating system for both work and fun.

You'll start by exploring how to move around within Windows 8 with the new Start screen, Charms bar, and desktop. You'll find out how to manage apps and programs on the Start screen and how to customise the Start screen and desktop areas.

Finding files and folders on your Windows 8 system is easy, and you'll learn how, whether you're looking for files stored on your hard drive or on an external drive. You'll also see how to create basic text documents using WordPad and discover how to organise, manage, and edit photos in Windows 8. Finally, you'll gain an understanding of how to protect your files, update Windows 8, and access the Internet with Windows 8's new Internet Explorer browser.

By the time you finish this course, you'll be ready to have more fun with Windows 8 and be more productive in your work.

Course Revised January 2014

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

<P>Learning to use your PC well starts with learning to use Windows. In this first lesson, we'll start with the basics that every computer user must know in order to use a computer with minimal frustration. If you've been working in "frustration and aggravation" mode for a while, this lesson will take care of that. We'll start by talking about what Windows 8 is and why you want to learn it. Then, we'll get right into the most important skills and terminology that allow you to control what you see on your screen at all times. And that's important, because the first step to using anything that's in your computer is getting it on the screen where you can see it! </P> </H1> </H1>

In this lesson, you'll explore the new Windows 8 Start screen. This new area gives you access to all the apps, programs, files, and more that exist on your computer. You'll find out how to manage the Start screen, work with apps, download and update apps, and customize the Start screen so that it looks the way you want. Get ready to have some fun and learn new stuff because the Windows 8 Start screen is brand new!

In today's lesson, you'll have fun personalizing your computer by choosing your own desktop pictures, window colors, and sound scheme. Along the way, you'll learn about the important Control Panel window in Windows 8 and tips for using dialog boxes and those occasional mysterious dimmed options that do nothing when you click them. The skills you learn in this lesson will go a long way to helping you gain complete control of your computer.

<P>No matter how you intend to use your computer, there'll be times when there's some typing involved. It might be for writing email messages, memos, or letters, or it might be for taking notes in a course, or for chatting with others in a website. Whatever the reason, today's lesson will teach you all the tricks for making typing (and editing) quick and easy. And you'll also discover how to save your work in files and folders, so it'll always be there when you need it! </P> </H1> </H1> </H1> </H1>

<P>Everything that's in your computer is stored on its hard drive. The hard drive is like a filing cabinet containing files organized into folders. Finding things you've saved in the past is a matter of opening the filing cabinet, so to speak, and then locating the correct folder. You'll use the File Explorer program to accomplish this. And in this lesson, you'll learn how it all works so you can start gaining complete mastery of your own files and folders. </P> </H1> </H1> </H1> </H1> </H1>

<p>Today it's time to have some fun with photographs. In today's lesson, you'll learn to use Photo Gallery to get pictures from a camera into your computer. You'll learn some tips for organizing those photos. And you'll also learn how to rotate pictures that are sideways, delete any awful pictures you'd rather nobody ever see, and print all your favorite photos on paper.</p>

In this lesson, we'll have even more fun with photos. Today, you'll learn how to further organize your photos by renaming them, rating them, and adding captions and tags. You'll also learn how to search for photos with tags. And you'll learn about Photo Gallery's editing tools for adjusting brightness and contrast, straightening crooked pictures, correcting red eye, and cropping.

<P>The Internet is home to popular websites like Facebook, Twitter, Google, ed2go, and many others. I'm sure many of you have seen reference to .com sites in ads and elsewhere. If you don't have a lot of computer experience, you might find it difficult to get to the many things you hear about on the Web. But not after this lesson! Today, I'll teach you how to use Internet Explorer, the program that provides access to all of those popular websites.</P> </H1>

<P>Managing files and folders is one of those computer skills that every computer user needs to know. In many work and school environments, people just assume you know how to manage files, and they rarely provide any details on how to accomplish things like copying, moving, or renaming files and folders. Today's lesson will explain how to do those very things that others assume you already know how to do. </P> </H1> </H1>

<p>In this lesson, you'll expand your file management skills by learning how to delete and recover files. You'll learn how to select multiple files to work with so you don't always have to manage your files one at a time. And we'll discuss how to copy files to and from removable media like flash drives, CDs, and DVDs.</p>

<P>Your computer is an investment of money, and the pictures and other files you store on your computer are an investment of time. You might even have some photos or other files that are so precious the thought of losing them causes you anxiety. What you need to do is protect those files. And that's just what this chapter is all about&mdash;how to use the tools and techniques that are built right into Windows to help you protect your valuable time and files!</P> </H1>

<P>In our final lesson, you'll learn some more techniques for protecting your computer, including using resources for free protection from viruses and spyware. You'll learn how to remove programs you no longer want or need. You'll learn how to copy and paste text and create screenshots. And you'll discover some great timesaving tips and shortcuts, as well as resources for helping yourself so you don't have to be so dependent on others. </P> </H1> </H1> </H1>

Curt Simmons

Curt Simmons

Curt Simmons, M.Ed, MCSE, MCSA, CTT, is a best-selling author, technical trainer, and multi-media expert. Curt has written more than 50 computing and technology books on a variety of topics, including How To Do Everything with Windows Vista, How t... Read more

Read Curt Simmons's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Windows 8 Fundamentals you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.