Applying Your Skills: Becoming an Insightful Contributor

The Journey of Communication Mastery

Throughout this book, you have developed and refined your communication skills across multiple dimensions. You have learned to articulate your ideas effectively through blog writing and infographic design, explored the importance of adaptive communication by examining cross-cultural interactions, expressed yourself through professional writing and multimodal communication, and persuaded others by analyzing impactful speeches. Now, in this final chapter, we bring it all together with the Insightful Contributor—a communicator who not only possesses knowledge but also applies it, making meaningful contributions to discussions and decision-making processes.

An Insightful Contributor demonstrates:

• A broad understanding of various subjects.
• The ability to use credible sources for accurate and informed contributions.
• Proactive learning, staying updated on trends and developments.
• The ability to make connections between ideas and real-world applications.
• The practical application of knowledge to solve problems and make informed decisions.

Now it’s time to reflect on your learning journey and put your communication skills into action one last time. In this final section, you will complete both activities to demonstrate your ability to engage with complex ideas, think critically, and apply what you have learned in creative and meaningful ways.

Each activity is designed to align with the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), meaning you have the flexibility to express your insights in ways that best suit your strengths and communication style. You will first engage with a trending topic in a creative format and then take time to reflect on your overall growth throughout this experience.

Both activities are required to complete this section. They serve as an opportunity to showcase not just what you have learned, but how you will continue to develop and apply these essential communication skills in your academic, professional, and personal life.

Once you have successfully completed both activities, follow the instructions to review your work using the provided self-assessment criteria and submit your final version within the forms below.

If you have any questions during this process, feel free to reach out to Dr. Christine Crefton at christine.crefton@montgomerycollege.edu for guidance.

Let’s bring it all together and celebrate your growth as a communicator!

Activity 1. Demonstrating Insightful Contribution

For your final task, you will engage with a trending topic in a creative way. Instead of writing a traditional essay, you will choose one of the following options to demonstrate your ability to critically analyze, synthesize, and communicate ideas effectively.

Choose One of the Following Options:

1. Create a Meme – “The Reality of Modern Communication”
   • Design a meme that humorously captures a challenge or insight about modern communication (e.g., digital miscommunication, AI-generated content, virtual meetings).
   • Include a short explanation (2-3 sentences) about what your meme represents and how it connects to a larger communication trend.
   • Use free tools like Canva, Meme Generator, or create a hand-drawn version.
   • Reflection Question: Why does humor or satire work as a communication tool?
2. Photo Reflection – “A Snapshot of Effective Communication”
   • Take or select a photo that represents what effective communication means to you. This could be an image of a collaboration, a meaningful conversation, a symbol of digital communication, or an artistic representation.
   • Write a short caption (3-5 sentences) explaining how this image reflects the principles of effective communication.
   • Reflection Question: How does imagery enhance the message in communication?
3. Playlist or Soundtrack – “The Sound of Communication”

• • Curate a playlist of five songs that represent different aspects of communication (e.g., persuasion, storytelling, collaboration, miscommunication).
  • For each song, write a brief explanation (2-3 sentences) about how the lyrics or mood of the song relate to communication principles.
  • Reflection Question: How does music convey messages differently than written or spoken communication?

Activity 2. Final Reflection: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Before you complete your final activity, take a moment to reflect on your experience going through this book.

1. How has your approach to communication changed since the beginning of this course? Provide specific examples of what you have improved and how it has impacted your interactions.
2. Which assignment challenged you the most? Explain why and how you overcame the challenge (or how you might approach it differently next time).
3. What are the key communication skills you plan to continue developing beyond this book? How do you see yourself applying these skills in your personal, academic, or professional life?