Discussion and Reply to Peers and Word Journal

Listening is a skill and the more you practice it, the better you become. By understanding your own listening style and your motivations for listening, you also have a chance to overcome barriers that might keep you from using active listening.

Before completing your discussion, please ensure that you have watched the “Improve Your Listening Skills with Active Listening” video.

For this discussion, please respond to the following:

Think about how you listen to others. What is your listening style? How does your listening style change based on the situation?
How can you improve listening during each stage of the listening process?
Of the tips discussed in the video, explain two techniques you can utilize to be a better listener in the future.

Points and Rubric

This discussion is worth 30 points. Refer to your Discussion Rubric for specific grading criteria. The deadline for your initial post and additional responses is Tuesday night at 11:59 p.m. ET; however, you must participate over multiple days throughout the unit to earn full credit.

Remember that your goal for discussion is three-fold:

To participate actively over multiple days throughout the unit.
To contribute in a way that adds to the discussion and moves it forward in an original fashion.
To use the course content to inform your posts and responses.

Keep in mind that when you post, you should always reference items you cite — be sure to use APA format for this. Also, be sure to refer back to the rubric as often as you need to during the week. The class is all about sharing knowledge, so use discussions as a way of creating a community resource for yourself and your colleagues.

This discussion addresses the following unit learning outcome:

Identify the stages of the listening process.
Identify the differences between hearing and listening.
Identify barriers to listening

It also addresses the following Course Outcome:

CM206-3: Explain the relationship between listening and interpersonal communication.

Unit 5 Discussion

Lauren Hamilton posted Jul 8, 2021 11:31 PM

When I listen to others, I look for common ground, or a way to really relate to that person. I listen for information that will tell me more about who they are as a person. This makes me a people-oriented listener because I am looking for ways to gain a relationship, or improve a relationship (Hamilton et al., 2019). If a person begins talking about something I don’t have much interest in, I tend to listen less.

The basic stages of listening are “attending, understanding, responding, and remembering” (Hamilton et al., pg. 73, 2019). To improve my own listening during these stages, first I need to focus completely on the person speaking, and try to ignore the sounds and noises in the background (that first step is the hardest for me). The next thing I need to do is understand the speaker, and to do that I have to take the information given and categorize it in my head in a way that I understand. The third step to improve my listening is to begin to show the speaker that I am following what they are saying with a head-nod, a “mhm” sound etc. Once I have completed these steps, all I need to do is remember what the speaker said, and to do that I would have had to successfully completed the first three steps.

Two techniques I can use to be a better listener is to stop listening to respond, and to not interrupt while they are speaking. I have a habit of doing these two things when speaking to someone I am close to.

Hamilton, C., Creel, B., & Kroll, T. (2019). Communicating for Success, (2nd Ed.) Taylor and Francis.

Mind Tools Videos “Improve Your Listening Skills With Active Listening.” Youtube. Uploaded by Mind Tools Videos 12 July 2015.

Listening Skills Unit 5 Discussion

Danielle Zalesak posted Jul 10, 2021 11:28

Hello,

Listening is an active process where we take in verbal and nonverbal messages (Hamilton et al, 2019). I would say that I am more of a selective listener. This occurs when you only listen to part of a message (Hamilton et al, 2019). My listening style changes when I am interested in the topic or when I feel like I have time to listen more closely. Sometimes at work I also use imitation listening to coworkers because I am busy and do not have time to get into a full-blown conversation when I have food to run, drinks to get, and tables to greet.

There are four stages of listening in the first we become aware of a stimulus that we need to listen to (Hamilton et al, 2019). During this stage I could improve listening by paying attention to what is being said to me instead of assuming it is not important or that I have more important things to do.

In the second stage of listening, we begin to understand what the other person has said by organizing the information they have given us (Hamilton et al, 2019). During this stage I could improve listening by not forming an opinion of the person before I give them a chance to speak. I should also keep in mind that we may have different meanings for words that have been spoken.

The third stage of listening requires us to attach meaning to what we just heard (Hamilton et al, 2019). During this stage to improve my listening skills I should respond to let the listener know I was listening. I should also ask them to clarify anything I might not understand.

During stage four of listening, we must remember what was said to us (Hamilton et al, 2019). For this stage to be successful I need to practice active listening skills in the first three stages of listening, so I do not forget what was said to me.

From the video I think I should focus on paying attention more when I listen to someone speak. When someone is communicating with me, I should only focus on what is being said and not worry about background noise, other things I must do, or how I am going to respond. The second skill I should use is providing feedback. This is beneficial to help clarify what was said to me and it will help me understand what they are trying to get across.

Danielle

References:

Hamilton, C., Creel, B., & Kroll, T. (2019). Communicating for success (2nd ed.). Taylor and Francis. https://purdueglobal.skillport.com/skillportfe/main.action#summary/BOOKS/RW$7071:_ss_book:137780

Improve your Listening Skills with Active Listening, (June 12, 2015). You-tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2z9mdX1j4A

In at least 200 words, please respond to the following:

What are some memory tips that you can use to improve your listening skills?
What benefits does listening offer in your everyday life?
Explain why the listening process is easier when you understand the basic stages of listening.

Requirements: See details

Answer preview:

word limit:680