Tutorial Discussion 1

1. What unusual communication demands are placed on the "competent communicator" now that we are living in the information society?

• Communication competence is the ability to choose a communication behavior that is both appropriate and effective for a given situation. 
• Able to access information with the touch of our fingertips on our smart phones.

• Connect with people through social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Blogs.
• Online banking - make purchases/transfer funds over the Internet
• Newspapers are available online.
• Able to maintain relationship from people across the world through Skype, ooVoo.
• Discussion on forums

2. How will you as a "competent communicator" use each of the four components of competency in your personal and professional life?

• Components of competency; Knowledge, Sensitivity, Value, Skills
• Knowledge - Apply the knowledge of what I learned in college in my professional life. 
• Sensitivity - Never mix your personal life with your job. Try not to be too personal when you're working. Don't put too much trust on colleagues. However, it's important to show your concern to others. 
• Value - Each individual has different values.
• Skills - You're good at your job because you have good skills. However, the skills you have are only for good intentions. Try not to be arrogant or ignorant in your workplace.

3. Think of a person you consider to be a "competent communicator" and describe how he or she demonstrates the four components of competency.

• Knowledge - 
• Sensitivity - Her concern towards the people she talks to on her show and her fans. She and her big heart will always help the people that she cares and solve their problems.
• Value - In my opinion, Oprah values her family, friends and also her fans. Without her fans she would not be where she is today.
• Skills - Winfrey became an honor student and rediscovered her flair for public speaking, emerging as a standout orator. Her speaking skills earned her a scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she majored in speech and drama. In 1973, while only a sophomore, she was offered a job as a co-new anchor at Nashville's CBS affiliate and became not only Nashville's first female co-anchor but the first black co-anchor as well.