What is "Communication"?

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board defines Communication (COM) "to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication."

Courses in this category focus on developing and expressing ideas clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.

Courses that build communication literacy focus on:

Some keywords that relate to Communication in school and the workplace include the following:

Developing and expressing ideas clearly
Considering the effect of the message
Fostering understanding
Building the skills needed to communicate persuasively
Learning command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable individuals to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.

Listening
Friendliness
Open-mindedness
Feedback
Non–verbal communication
Confidence
Respect
Clarity
Concision
Empathy

How can you improve Communication at school and at work?

Use active listening.

Understand your audience.

Build strong relationships.

Above all, communication literacy allows an individual to foster a critical understanding of how communication functions in different contexts and in ways that are ethically and socially responsible in a diverse global society.