For our First Year Japanese class's project, this semester we have split into groups to write, direct, and create a podcast. I think this project really opens up an interesting discussion about the role of communication in today's world.
I anticipate that completing this project will have its fair share of difficulty. All of our group members have very busy schedules and so the first problem will be coordinating times to meet. This in itself is a type of communication error. How can we, in the multifaceted world of today, coordinate with one another to work towards a common goal.
This is where technology comes in. With phones at our hips and keyboards at our fingers, we are constantly in touch with the digital realm. This makes slacking or laziness even more difficult. No longer is it possible to feign ignorance of a meeting time unless one has an excuse for not answering their cell phones as well. Even so, oftentimes a tell-all facebook update can tip off your group members as to the nature of your absence.
I expect to learn many things from this project. First off, through the compiling of cultural differences that we want to demonstrate, I will be forced to take a closer look at the cultural differences that make up our world today. Furthermore, I will learn the technical side of editing podcasts: audio, video, cinematography, script writing, acting. Finally, I will understand more about the world around me and the students that are in my group.
To me, communication is an ease of expressing information. It is about being clear and getting the point across with the least effort. Sometimes communication is not done through language. Body language, tone, and even dress can communicate information subconsciously to the viewer. Thus a dialogue exists on many levels and it is important to consider all of these different aspects!
What are your thoughts about communication? How do you feel this project will change my life?
Please leave a comment below!