© 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 1 of 21 City & Guilds Construction PowerPoint presentation Presentation 5: Communication Unit 101: Principles of building construction, information and communication
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PowerPoint presentation
Presentation 5: Communication
Unit 101: Principles of building construction, information and communication
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Aim
Introduce learners to communication.
Objectives
• List at least three methods of communication.
• State at least one advantage of each method of communication.
• State at least one disadvantage of each method of communication.
• Use at least one method of communication.
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What is communication?
Communication is simply a way or means of passing information from one person to another via a variety of methods and ways.
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Why is communication important?
Communication is very important in all areas of life and we often do it without even thinking about it.
You will need to communicate well when you are at work, no matter what job you do.
If we don’t communicate well, how will other people know what we want or need, and how will we know what other people want?
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Group task
Using mind maps, list at least three (try to get as many as you can) ways in which you communicate. Think about communicating with:
• your family
• friends
• people abroad
• college
• tutors
• people you may have never met.
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Group task continued
Now that you have listed the ways in which you communicate, try to think of the ways in which these methods can be used on site.
All those varieties of communication come under four main headings.
Discuss with the person next to you what these four headings might be.
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Categories of communication
• Verbal
• Written/signs
• Electronic
• Human signs/signals
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Verbal
Verbal communication is the most common method used to communicate on site.
Verbal communication is not only face to face, it can be over the phone or through a radio or walkie-talkie. Although it is the most common form of communication there are both advantages and disadvantages.
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Written/signs
Even though verbal is the most common form of communication written may be the most vital and important. Written communication takes many forms, eg:
• letters
• faxes
• written messages
• notes
• memos
• emails
• instruction leaflets
• drawings, plans and schedules.
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Electronic
As technology moves on so does electronic communication.
Electronic communication can be in many forms, eg email, fax, text messages and websites.
Advances in electronic communications means communication on site is advancing. It is now possible to send and receive emails, texts and website messages via mobile phones which allows information to be sent or received almost anywhere in the world.
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Signals
Signals are widely used on building sites mainly directing traffic or manoeuvring and directing cranes. Signalling is a complex and very important method of communication.
Can you imagine what would happen if you were directing a crane and its load and you do not give the crane driver the correct signals?
The next few slides will demonstrate a few signalling manoeuvres.
Image courtesy of www.shutterstock.com. Reproduced with permission.
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Signals continued
Start Emergency stopStop
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Signals continued
Extend jib Raise loadLower slowly
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Signals continued
Remember the directions you are giving have to be interpreted by someone facing you. So when you are giving directions you are to operate directions as the driver will receive them.
Direction right Direction left
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Task
Now that we have the four categories of communication, can you list at least one advantage and one disadvantage for each category?
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Verbal communication
Advantages Disadvantages
Instant Can be easily forgotten
Easy No physical evidence of the message
Can be repeated or rephrased until the message is understood
Might be changed unintentionally
More than one language may be spoken on site
Different accents or slang may not be understood by everyone
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Written communication
Advantages Disadvantages
Physical evidence Takes longer to arrive, read and understand than some other methods of communication
Can be passed to others without being changed
Can be misunderstood
Can be copied Can be lost
Can be ready again if not understood If poorly written, the reader may not be able to understand it
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Electronic communication
Advantages Disadvantages
Instant and easy. Phone and video calls (phone calls don’t require internet)
Low or loss of signals and flat batteries can prevent information being sent
With emails and faxes there is a written record
Not everyone is familiar or comfortable using electronic communication
Can record receipt of communication (eg emails)
The receiver may not be able to access the information
Emails can be sent with a vast amount of information
Viruses and hackers can causes problems and read private information
Emails can also have attachments, eg drawings, plans, invoices, etc
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Signal communication
Advantages Disadvantages
Internationally standardised, so same signals used around the world
Can be misinterpreted
Can be carried out at a safe distance People may display the wrong signal or forget signals when in operation
By manoeuvring the load via signals, it reduces the risk of accidents especially when the driver cannot see the load’s destination
If signalling from a distance, the driver may not be able to understand
No verbal communication
The banksman may get tired or distracted and display signals unknowingly
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Communication stations
We are about to set up some communication stations. You are to work in pairs/groups and communicate with your partner a variety of information. Each station has a different method of communication.
You have to relay the information to your partner as clearly as you can.
You have also got to take messages and record as much of the information as possible. Remember, your recordings do not have to be word for word, but the important information must be recorded.
You have approximately five minutes at each station.
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Any questions?