MODULE 2: COMMUNICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

Truthfully, digging too much into theoretical concepts is not such a dearest thing I would choose to do.  And reading MODULE 2 took me forever to sketch out its importance in DEVCOM Practitioner’s work.  I envy how others have explained the communication models so effortlessly on their posts while I was trying to hammer myself with each communication model.  This module has really put me to the test.  But then, I’m very well enlightened.  

Be it a Unilinear View of Communication where the source is dominant than the receiver; or Transactional View of Communication where there is equality among individuals involved in attaining certain goals,  the essential thing is each of them have the people-centered or community-centered approach to development.

A part of exercising the communication models is the use of our technological devices. We have evolved now into the era of technology and modernization and that made a difference with our ways of communication as well.  That itself is CHANGE & DEVELOPMENT. We opt for SKYPE, YAHOO MESSENGER, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and other fastest means to send and receive our messages.  And what we benefit a lot from it is the convenience it gives us pertaining to COMMUNICATION.  It’s undeniably visible that almost everyone relies too much on it nowadays.  That’s why I deem it important that whatever models we are doing; it should be in harmony with the environment. Harmony in a sense we’re educating people according to the progress of the community and how we would be able to sustain its progress.  

I know there’s so much to learn and I have a long way to go.  Communication is such a broad matter to endeavor as it is commonly taken for granted and misunderstood.  But what makes it interesting is the way we DEVCOM practitioners would learn the process and its importance for promoting development in our society.

TYPE OF COMMUNICATION BEFITTING FOR CERTAIN TYPE OF SOCIETIES

Applying Unilinear and Transactional Model of Communication in certain situations in my perspective depend mainly with the type of society you are dealing with according to the nature of your development work. If you are a health worker publicizing FAMILY PLANNING, HEALTH & NUTRITION, BODY HYGIENE, etc. in not conversant areas, then the Unilinear Approach of Communication is the constructive way you can exercise because in some sense they rely on you as the source of their information to bring change in their society.

If you are an Education Specialist working on the development of national education systems, you are likely to work with teachers and other high ranking school officials who would play a huge part in scrutinizing problems and building up a helpful system. So in your work category, the Transactional Model of Communication is best executed as the people’s level of education you’re working with simply implies how they can contribute to the health improvement of certain situation.

If I am to draw the differences between Unilinear and Transactional Models of Communication, it is totally different but each model of communication has its own significant roles befitting to different societies. What really matters here is each model has useful ways and definite goals to achieve.

So I would say that COMMON SENSE exceptionally applies which type of communication model is appropriate in the category of the development job you are doing.

Communication always involves the sender and the receiver. The point is the sender and the receiver share an understanding of the communicated message for a better chance of achieving a certain purpose.

REFRENCES:
http://www.expressyourselftosuccess.com/the-importance-of-communication-skills/

MODULE 1: ON COLLABORATION WITH BOOKSTORES AND PUBLICATION OFFICES TO SUPPORT LITERACY PROGRAM

As I get to read MODULE 1, I began to think of my role as a DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATOR in the society.  Before taking a step into this course, I would be honest that giving a thought for the less-fortunate ones around me isn’t much of my concern.  Although it breaks my heart to see street kids begging for food, poor families living in slam districts, struggling schools with little instructional materials in other far-flung areas, and fathers doing hard labor for construction—little did I realize I have lounged too much I could have done something to help out if not to a great extent but at least. 

The catchy line that really gets me to contemplate from MODULE 1 is the emphasis on development as people-centered which aims on the improvement of the quality of life of human beings. The image of development in any society doesn't pend on tall buildings; as improving the people's quality of life should be the main priority a government should consider.  Quality in the sense everyone should be given opportunity to the right of education, employment, health care, and other necessary ways for the well being of everyone.

If by any chance I would implement a program, I would probably be doing a LITERACY PROGRAM with the great participation of various BOOKSTORES and PUBLICATION OFFICES who would be willing enough to collaborate with my plan to donate certain amount of books to the learners in some adverse schools in the Philippines.  Oh, well, like the usual, others may think too epic to do it or others may be even so dubious about it. But then thinking about that doesn't matter anymore.  It is how well I've thought my role in the society and what I may contribute to the needy ones.  By doing so, I'm giving others the chance to live a better life they deserve.

In the face of social mobility and advocating the perspective of "Equal Opportunity" I'm sure  I can go to my slumber at peace and more consoled that I have shared something helpful to what our society needs.