Improving Student’s Communication Skills through Gallery Walk - Repository Universitas Ahmad Dahlan

Improving Student’s

Communication Skills

through Gallery Walk

R. Muhammad Ali

English Education Department

Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Universitas Ahmad Dahlan

Yogyakarta Indonesia

Abstract

One of the important things in teaching English

in Indonesia is how to give a big chance to the students to improve their communication skills. Communication skills which include oral and

Abstract …(2)

Gallery Walk as one of collaborative learning models promotes chances for students to practice their

communication skills. Gallery Walk gets students out of their chairs and actively involves them in synthesizing important concepts, in consensus building, in writing, and in public speaking.

In Gallery Walk, teams rotate around the classroom, composing answers to questions as well as reflecting upon the answers given by other groups. Questions are posted on charts or just pieces of paper located in

different parts of the classroom. Each chart or "station" has its own question that relates to an important class concept. The technique closes with an oral presentation or "report out" in which each group synthesizes

Abstract …(3)

. Gallery Walk dedicates time for students to practice discussing, debating, organizing, and writing the language of the topic. Besides, it connects learners to both new and old information

Through Gallery Walk students may improve their oral communication skills such as personal

communication, presentation, and group discussion. They may also develop their written communication when they write the report of the activity.

Introduction

The Job Outlook 2008 Survey of 276 employers examined the qualities that employers look for in prospective employees.

Data was collected using a five-point scale ranging from 1 to 5 with “1” indicating that the characteristic was “not important” and “5” indicating that the

characteristic was “extremely important”.

Skills and Characteristics Sought

by Employers

Skills Value

Communication skills (verbal and written) 4.6

Strong work ethic 4.6

Teamwork skills (works well with others) 4.5

Initiative 4.4

Interpersonal skills (relates well with others) 4.4



The data list communication skills as

the top quality.



It means that it is very important to

Communication

 Communication is central to all activities we perform. In

fact, it is central to our very existence. Since the time we are born we start to communicate. A baby communicates its needs and wants initially crying. Later on it starts to babble, then gradually learns, to speak in words. It also quickly learns to combine these words to make sentences.

 The term communication is derived from the Latin word

'communis' which means common. Thus communication is making common--ideas, opinions or information (Sethi & Adhikari, 2010)

 Daniel Goleman in Social Intellegence (2007) said that

Communication

(definition)

Sethi & Adhikari (2010) summarize definitions of communication by some experts:

1. “ the interchange of thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing or signs” (Robert Anderson )

2. “the sum of all things one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another; it involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding “(Louis)

3. “transfer of information and understanding from one person to another. It is a way of reaching others with facts, ideas,

4. "Communication is the process by which information is transmitted between

individuals and/or organizationa so that an understandin and response develops.“

(Peter Little)

Based on the above definitions there are certain characteristics of communication which can be identified. These are:

1. Communication involves at least two persons--the sender and persons--the receiver

2. It involves transfer of ideas, facts, emotions, gestures, symbols and action from sender to receiver.

3. Understanding is an essential component of communication i.e., the ideas, opinions,

emotions etc. conveyed should be accurately replicated in the receivers mind.

5. The purpose of communication is to elicit action, inform or to express a certain point of view.

6. Communication is a two way process i.e., feedback from the reciever to the sender is an essential

component of communication.

7. Communication is a dynamic process i.e., it grows and develops.

8. Communication is systemic i.e., every component of the process is affected by every other component. For

Roles of Communication

 Marriage counselors emphasized the importance of

communication. They point out that the failure of some

marriages is not caused primarily by troubles and problems or even by conflict because all marriages encounter challenges

and conflict. A major distinction between relationship that endure and those that collapse is effective communication.

 When companies are surveyed to find out what applicant

qualities they consider most important, communication tops the list (Schneider, 1999).

 Health-care professionals must communicate effectively to

explain medical problems to patients, describe courses of

Roles of….(2)

 To be effective citizens in a democracy must be able to express ideas and evaluate the ideas of others

 In the work place, poor communication means that errors and misunderstanding occurs,

messages must be repeated, productivity suffer, and sometimes people lose jobs.

 No matter what our career goals are, including being a teacher, developing strong

Elements of

Communication

 Message  Sender  Receiver

Gallery Walk

 The term Gallery Walk is derived from the

practice of patrons of the arts walking through a gallery.

 Each piece of art represents expert

performance focused on a different topic

and employing different technical strategies.

 The same process has been used with

What’s GW…

(2)

 For students, Gallery Walk is a chance to read different

solutions and provide oral and written feedback to improve the clarity and precision of a solution.

 On the other hand, for teachers, it is a chance to

determine the range of subject evident (i.e., English, Mathematics) in the different solutions and to hear

students’ responses to their classmate’s mathematical thinking.

 Such assessment for learning data help the teacher to

determine points of emphasis, elaboration and

The Purposes of GW

 The purpose of the Gallery Walk is to have students and the teacher engage

with a range of solutions through analysis and response (Fosnot & Dolk, 2002).

 The gallery walk provides such an

Steps In Gallery Walk

 First, the instructor prepares several

discussion questions.

 Second, questions are posted on different

"stations" on classroom walls, placed on pieces of paper on desks in different

locations around class, or typed on different computers.

 Third, at each posted question a student

Step In…

 Fourth, as students discuss questions, the

instructor can circulate around the classroom, clarifying questions, gauging student

understanding, and addressing misconceptions.

 Fifth, when the group returns to the station

Steps In Gallery Walk

Writer’s Empirical Experience

On the writer’s experience, the lecturer needs to modify the steps of conducting gallery walk considering the students’ condition though still mostly adapt the common steps given by experts.

Empirical Experience:

 First, on the previous meeting, lecturer

divides the students into groups of five. Each group should prepare a display based on the topics given related to a certain short story, such as the intrinsic elements of the short story ( plot,

Empirical Experience…

 Second, on the D-day, groups put their

own displays on the wall as their galleries. Before the play begins, each group divides the member to be hosts and visitors. If the members of the group number 5 students, it can be two students act as hosts, and three students act as visitors.

Empirical Experience…

 The visitors visiting other galleries are

learning, discussing, analyzing, and giving comment of others’ galleries.

Empirical Experience…

 Third, during the students visiting other

galleries, the lecturer circulates all the galleries to appreciate and evaluate the displays, gauge students’ knowledge

and understanding, investigate if there are misconceptions, and other

Empirical Experience…

 Fourth, the groups write a report and

present it in front of the class. The report will be about what they have on their

Empirical Experience…

 Fifth, lecturer gives reinforcement,

correcting students misconception, and appreciating students’ work. It is also possible if the lecturer gives a formal

How GW Improve Student’s

Communication Skills

 How GW Improve Student’s

Conclusion

 Communication skills is very important for

student’s future career development.

 Gallery walk can be applied in the class

rooms

 Gallery walk may improve student’s

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