Week 02 Notes:
Each session I will expect Scouts to be on-time or make up the session. An attendance sheet will be passed at the beginning of each session. I will not accept poor preparation and I wont allow individual disruption or poor preparation to punish other Scouts, there are exceptions to all rules but I will keep the sessions focused on the Merit Badge requirements and make this as interesting and informative as possible.
Since you are learning the skill of communication, I would like any questions regarding this merit badge to come from the Scout. The best way to contact me is via e-mail, you can get my e-mail from Scoutlander.
I will use the EDGE method of training and this course will be interactive. I want to see participation and engagement. If you don’t need this merit badge or you are not interested, please do not make it bad for your comrades.
This will be a collegial atmosphere – I will emulate a college level classroom.
Last week, what did we do? Requirement 1(c). If you missed the first session, please do Requirement 1(a) or (b). We also discussed the definition of Communication, talked about EDGE - Explain, Demonstrate, Guide and Enable and did a discussion exercise.
Introduction: Listening.
Do ONE of the following:
2 a. Think of a creative way to describe yourself using, for example, a collage, short story or autobiography, drawing or series of photographs, or a song or skit. Using the aid you created, make a presentation to your counselor about yourself.
2 b. Choose a concept, product, or service in which you have great confidence.
Build a sales plan based on its good points.
Try to persuade the counselor to agree with, use, or buy your concept, product, or service. After your sales talk, discuss with your counselor how persuasive you were.
JANUARY 2015 (theme: Communications):
19 Troop Meeting – Communications – Req. # 3 – C of H cut off
24 Service Project – (8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Camp Balboa
26 Patrol Leaders Council meeting – 6:15 p.m.
26 Troop Meeting – Court of Honor Prep
Poor listening usually occurs due to lack of control over the speed at which speakers speak, not being able to get things repeated, the listener's limited vocabulary, failure to recognize the "signals", problems of interpretation, inability to concentrate, and even may be due to some established learning habits.
A 10 Step Formula which will help to listen better.
1) Face the speaker and keep an eye contact
2) Keep an open mind
3) Listen to ideas/concepts and not just words
4) Don't interrupt the speaker
5) Wait for pause for questions
6) Ask questions
7) Be attentive
8) Feel speaker's feelings (empathize with speaker)
9) Give feedback
10) Pay attention to what is not said.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/950245
For this week and the next few weeks, 2(a) or (b) and 3 - 5 min speeches.