{"id":96,"date":"2020-03-30T22:21:33","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T22:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/?page_id=96"},"modified":"2025-09-08T13:56:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T20:56:34","slug":"communicate-effectively","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/communicate-effectively\/","title":{"rendered":"Communicate Effectively"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Communication with instructors and classmates may happen in a variety of formats, including email and online forums. Effective communication in your courses allows you to engage well with others and provides you with a range of professional communication skills that support your broader personal and career development.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column96_7520ce-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column96_7520ce-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column96_7520ce-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column96_7520ce-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column96_7520ce-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column96_7520ce-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column96_7520ce-14{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column96_7520ce-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column96_7520ce-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column96_7520ce-14\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connect with Your Instructor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Communicating with your instructor throughout the semester is an important part of being an active and engaged post-secondary student. Your instructor will inform you of their office hours and preferred format for email communication. As an adult learner, it is expected that you will take the initiative to contact your instructor when you have questions or are facing challenges in the course.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column96_c1bf88-1e\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id96_6560c7-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id96_6560c7-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id96_6560c7-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(44% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(56% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id96_6560c7-c9 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id96_6560c7-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id96_6560c7-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id96_6560c7-c9 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column96_0a0b79-8a\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2025\/07\/appointment-logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7417\" style=\"width:51px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2025\/07\/appointment-logo.jpg 250w, https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2025\/07\/appointment-logo-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:90%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b4cafe05d74c0635506264b6e9c8aaa5\">Tips for Using Office Hours Effectively<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7e52b5d74d8f970f474489682b772f71\">Arrive on time to be respectful of your instructor&#8217;s and other students&#8217; time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38da4e5310333b43f41a3a42d8f86c47\">Come prepared by having course materials easily accessible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d0cbd8a8460851b4eb362ec76285420f\">Prepare questions ahead of time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column96_3ed9a5-5f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:85%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32187d242ac6eb5a94d5cc53a374b589\">Tips for Writing an Effective Email<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b36ecaaf2c74727075342fc78853075a\">Use your KPU student email account<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50dfbd5b977e20e4bdf138a5ad193bdd\">Include the course name and topic of your email in the subject line<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f83b95c29fd8f87a31352b50f8b46f49\">Use a professional greeting in the email<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2e045bafddc516c6cf46e41464e615dc\">Write your question or concern in short, clear sentences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5b0b2f1f69406c258f6cf91d2f870f23\">End your email with an appropriate conclusion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-very-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a56a26666f90d7733087bfe81ab1db46\">Allow time for your instructor to respond (don&#8217;t expect an instant reply)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2025\/07\/email-logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7418\" style=\"width:47px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2025\/07\/email-logo.jpg 250w, https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2025\/07\/email-logo-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-96_7d4d84-a2 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-96_7d4d84-a2 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-96_7d4d84-a2\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Communication Skills for Working in Teams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At KPU, you will work in teams throughout your program. Working in teams helps you to develop the interpersonal skills needed to work with others and effective communication is a key component of achieving your team&#8217;s goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understand the Stages of Team Development <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuckman (1965) identified a series of stages that teams go through in their journey together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Forming:<\/em><\/strong> The team is newly developing. The team works to form expectations and to develop trust.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Storming:<\/em><\/strong> The newly formed team struggles with poser and control issues, expressing differences of opinion. At this stage, the team may wonder how it will move beyond these tensions. It is helpful to realize that this is a normal stage of team development, and if the team perseveres and maintains its commitment to the task and each other, the stage will pass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Norming:<\/em><\/strong> Members agree on processes for working together and can make decisions through negotiation and consensus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Performing:<\/em><\/strong> The team is working together collaboratively to achieve results. The team shares in a common identity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Adjourning:<\/em><\/strong> The team finishes its task and celebrates its success.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-96_fd6ec1-19 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-96_fd6ec1-19 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-96_fd6ec1-19\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image96_145fe0-7c .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image96_145fe0-7c size-medium_large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2022\/09\/Tuckman-1-@100x-768x390.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2022\/09\/Tuckman-1-@100x-768x390.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2022\/09\/Tuckman-1-@100x-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2022\/09\/Tuckman-1-@100x-1024x520.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2022\/09\/Tuckman-1-@100x-1536x781.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/files\/2022\/09\/Tuckman-1-@100x-2048x1041.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption><strong>Reference: <\/strong>Tuckman, B.W. (1965) \u2018Developmental sequence in small groups\u2019, <em>Psychological Bulletin<\/em>, 63, 384-399. Reprinted in <em>Group Facilitation: A Research and Applications Journal<\/em>&nbsp;,Number 3, Spring 2001<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-96_351ffc-0a .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-96_351ffc-0a .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-96_351ffc-0a\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/get-started\/define-your-learning-community\/\">Your Learning Community<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-right is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-89b4c9e9 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/learn-from-course-materials\/\">Learn from Course Materials<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Communication with instructors and classmates may happen in a variety of formats, including email and online forums. Effective communication in your courses allows you to engage well with others and provides you with a range of professional communication skills that support your broader personal and career development. Connect with Your Instructor Communicating with your instructor&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-96","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7542,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96\/revisions\/7542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/onlinelearning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}