Project Launch!

Active listening is an important part of communication and refers to a process of listening to understand the speaker. You can signal you value and respect another person by listening with purpose. By pausing to reflect and try on different perspectives, we could learn that while we intended to be helpful, our words might not have had the desired impact.

After the video, you’ll have a chance to practice active listening.

Practice Active Listening!

• Speaker: Take 2-3 minutes to respond to this prompt: 

What is one success /blocker you've found so far in your project?

• Listener: Please do not interrupt when someone is sharing their story. You are practicing active listening. When the speaker is done:

Take 1 minute to say what you heard and what you heard from the speaker. You can mirror with phrases like: 

“I heard you say…” or “It sounded like...”

• [If you are in a trio] Observer: Listen and keep time.

• Switch roles.

• If you have additional time, use these prompts to discuss what the activity was like for you.

  • When you were in the “speaker" role: do you think you changed how you communicated knowing that another person was actively listening to you?

  • When you were in the “listener” role: did you find yourself listening in a different way when you knew you were the one reflecting back?

On your web site, create a new reflection entry. You may choose whether to use a written (3-4 paragraphs) or recorded (1-3 minute audio/video) format.

1. Reflect on the role of active listening in your learning. Use these prompts to guide your reflection:

• What impact could engaging in active listening have in your own (dis)comfort level for a particular task, situation or setting? 

• What impact could engaging in active listening have on others' (dis)comfort level for a particular task, situation or setting?

• How can it support your learning when in a group setting? Attending office hours? Asking a question in class?