Overview

Master both the scientific and practical dimensions of communication.

It likely comes as no surprise that, as adults, we learn differently than we did when we were children. Our brains are full of experiences and information we have acquired over time, and these resources are exactly what we apply to any new learning event, whether it’s a new job or hobby, or simply a novel experience or conversation we need to navigate. The nature of how we learn shapes the way we communicate—both how we give and how we receive information in our everyday lives.

The field of neuroandragogy is the study of how adults learn and what role the brain plays in that process. By digging into this unique field and its discoveries, you can better understand how your own mind works and develop strategies based on this knowledge to communicate successfully in various situations and environments. Communicating with others is not just about clarity; it’s also about understanding how to grab someone’s attention and ensuring that the information you share can be retained and used. Knowing how the adult mind works can help you optimize your approach in getting the results you want from your communications.

In The Brain-Based Guide to Communicating Better, Professor Allison Friederichs will walk you through six lessons that can help you better know your own mind, and thus understand and transform your own methods of communication. You will learn how your brain acquires, processes, and retains information. You can then take that knowledge and apply it whenever you need to convey something to others, with the best possible results. While you may not have any control over how other people communicate, developing your own methods of connection and conversation can have a positive impact on both your personal and professional life. Along the way, Professor Friederichs encourages you to keep a communication journal that can help you learn and process the invaluable information she shares.

Course Outline

01: How the Adult Brain Communicates

Start your study of communication with a look at the basic physiology and functions of the brain, focusing on key regions and the roles they play.

Duration: 32 min

02: Messages That Activate Our Brains

Discover how memory works by looking at the regions of the brain that help us create both short- and long-term memories and understand how emotion can be key to creating and retaining them.

Duration: 30 min

03: How to Get and Hold Our Brains’ Attention

Learn how to engage the attention of others to maximize successful communication and strategies to overcome distractions.

Duration: 32 min

04: Guiding Brains with Inquiry and Analogy

Learn strategies that can lead to fewer miscommunications by harnessing the power of previous experience and asking questions of your audience.

Duration: 28 min

05: Enriching the Conversational Environment

Discover tools and techniques to enrich your communication strategy, cut down on distractions, and help others connect with the information you share.

Duration: 30 min

06: Overcoming Roadblocks to Communicating Well

Explore common issues that can hinder successful communication and strategies to overcome them, including anxiety and entrenched bias.

Duration: 29 min