Communication
Communication tests how messages are created, sent, received and understood in community and extension settings. Expect communication elements, channels, feedback, barriers, listening, nonverbal cues and visual aids.
Core rules and concepts
- The basic communication process includes sender, message, encoding, channel, receiver, decoding, feedback and context.
- Feedback is essential because it shows whether the message was understood. Without feedback, communication is one-way transmission rather than confirmed understanding.
- Channels include interpersonal, group and mass media. Interpersonal communication allows immediate feedback; mass media reach many people quickly but are less personal.
- Barriers may be physical (noise, distance), semantic (jargon, dialect), psychological (fear, distrust) or organizational (poor timing, unclear authority).
- Nonverbal communication includes gestures, facial expression, posture, eye contact and tone. It can reinforce or contradict spoken words.
Worked example
An extension worker tells a low-literacy group to use "the recommended prophylactic dosage." Few listeners understand. The worker revises the message to "mix one packet in the amount shown on this picture and use it before planting," with a demonstration and a follow-up question. Encoding improved, the channel became visual and interpersonal, and feedback checked comprehension.
Traps that cost marks
Do not treat sending as successful communication; understanding must be confirmed. Do not ignore noise and jargon as barriers. Do not assume mass media always change behavior. Do not focus only on words while missing contradictory nonverbal cues.