Read: Tips for Giving Effective Directions and Explanations

Tips for Giving Effective Directions and Explanations

We talk all the time, but are we always effective in communicating the information we want to convey? Unfortunately, no. Miscommunication is common in everyday life. We have all experienced it, and we've all contributed to it. The good news is that it is possible to develop effective communication skills.

As students, you can surely understand how important it is to communicate effectively, and as UTAs, it is even more important. The effectiveness with which you communicate directions and give explanations to students during a review session, discussion, group meeting, or other situations can impact the students you are trying to assist.

After the activity we completed in class, you should have a good idea of the ways in which conversations can be misunderstood and the approaches we can use to limit misunderstandings. Here is a list of ten tips that can help limit miscommunication.

Ten Tips for Giving Directions or Explanations

  1. Be prepared. Organizing the information you want to convey before you start can help you avoid omitting key pieces of information and ensure that you present it in a logical sequence.
  2. Make sure you have the audience's attention before starting. If they are not ready to listen when you start, you will likely need to start over.
  3. Provide context and explain the purpose.
  4. Be clear and specific. This helps to avoid ambiguity. For example, if students need to submit a report with a specific number of references, be sure to tell them the number of references needed rather than saying "a few" or "some".
  5. Avoid making assumptions. For example, if you are talking about a "widget", don't assume that everyone knows what the "widget" is.
  6. Take your time when giving directions or explaining something, and repeat your directions.
  7. Limit the number of instructions you give at one time. Break your directions or explanations into small chunks. 
  8. Give examples when possible.
  9. Show students how to do something as you talk them through it or draw figures as you explain something.
  10. Provide students with the chance to ask questions and/or check their understanding by asking them to repeat what you told them.

Communicating effectively also depends on the receiver. Reminding students to adopt the following practices when listening to directions or explanations is something you can do to help improve the communication process. 

Tips for Receiving Directions or Explanations

  1. Engage in active listening. Focus!
  2. Take notes. Note taking can reinforce memory and they serve as a reference at a later time.
  3. Ask questions. Get clarification.
  4. Once directions or explanations have been given, make a checklist to follow.