How can you ensure accurate online communication assessments?

Approaching an online communication assessment is like preparing for a challenge. Consider it as tuning into a specific radio station – you must understand the frequency. Identify the precise communication skills in focus. Picture it like packing for a trip; how long is this communication journey? What tools or apps are your travel companions? Delve into the rubrics – the road signs guiding your path. Think of it as deciphering a secret code. Armed with this knowledge, you transform from an explorer into a savvy navigator, ensuring a smoother voyage through the assessment landscape.

It's important to have clear and specific communication objectives, use appropriate language and terminology, provide examples and feedback, and use reliable assessment tools. You can also consider using peer or expert review to validate assessments. To ensure accurate online communication assessment, it's important to consider the context and audience of the communication being assessed. You should also establish clear criteria and standards for what constitutes effective communication, and ensure that the assessment is fair and unbiased. Additionally, you can consider providing opportunities for self-reflection and self-assessment to encourage continuous learning and improvement.

Before I read a book, I read the intro and conclusion, scan how the chapters flow together, and take a quick glance at each chapter's opening and closing paragraph. This helps me understand what the author's central argument is and what they expect me to take from the writing. This context really helps later when I read fully. I recommend a similar approach on any assessment. Understand the individual segments, how they flow together, and what the assessment is hoping to get from you. Later, when you're trying to resolve ambiguity, you will have a better feeling of which way to resolve it in order to meet the requirements.

As in any assignment, preparation is key. You're not looking to sprint through here, but to go in for the long haul. Take the time to think through how you want to demonstrate the different kinds of communication skills you have, how you can successfully pivot and adjust, what key drivers are needed for successful communication. Ask for clarity if you need to - it's important to understand why communication is key to the organisation.

One thing I've found helpful is creating a checklist based on the assessment requirements. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of what is expected, allowing for targeted preparation and a smoother evaluation process.

Actually, I disagree with the idea of merely testing technology well in advance. Alongside this, it's crucial to have a contingency plan for unexpected issues. For instance, having a backup device or an alternative location can be a lifesaver in case of unforeseen technical challenges.

A common trap is to test connectivity in a physical location other than where you will sit during the assessment. Internet connection speeds can vary wildly from spot to spot, so check where you will sit. Charge up your laptop if using one, and pause your VPN if you use one of those, as they can appear to be working OK but sporadically cause connections to drop or throttle. Most assessments will offer a way to test your connection and audio/video ahead of time. If you have the ability, do not bypass this ... it is critical in uncovering glitches that will disrupt and make you nervous on the day.

Oh, that last minute technical glitch! It happens to all of us. Preparation is key - get your mic and camera checked, test your internet speed, audio levels etc. well in advance, like even a day or two before. But also prepare for on the day failure, it happens. So do drills for slow internet speeds, unexpected software updates, a faulty microphone. If in spite of all your preparations, something fails on the day, communicate! Let the organisation know what happened and proactively present a solution. It will be appreciated.

In a day and age where technology runs our day to day lives, it is important to consider the down side of non-working technology. Testing and preparing your equipment is very important. However, preparing a back up plan if the problem can not be fixed is crucial too. -Having another computer to be able to use incase your primary goes on the frits. -Keeping an old phone as a back incase the daily cell phone breaks. -Verifying that internet service is going to be strong enough and not lag when it is most needed.

There is no such thing as over-communication. Especially in today's remote working environments. Be bold, adapt, speak loudly and clearly. Find a way to connect through the screen - it doesn't take much to smile!

An example I've seen is adapting email communication to various professional contexts. The tone and formality of an email to a colleague may differ from that of an official presentation. Recognizing and adjusting to these nuances showcases adaptability and a keen understanding of effective communication across different mediums.

Verbal and non-verbal communication are tightly connected to your overall well-being. If you are rested, energetic, and clear-headed, you will be more verbally dexterous and you'll be more self-aware and in control of body language and reactions. So it's critical you get rest, give yourself plenty of time, and clear all distractions off your diary so you can focus and remain free of any stressful distractions. Some people perform better mentally after having exercised to clear their head. If you're in this category, set aside time to hit the gym or jog before your assessment.

In my experience it’s very easy to get mentally “tripped up” in questioning my own values and principles in how I approach or would answer things because I overthink the questions or statements and never assume the most practical or honest response is the correct or desired one, when more often than not that common sense intuition, your gut feeling, is right.

In order to build your authenticity, ensure your daily communication at work and your immediate environment is honest and genuine.

One of the biggest mistakes I see in presentations is the trap of over-rehearsal, which constructs an ornate mask worn by the presenter to "put on their best face." The best face is your own. Don't over-prepare or over-think. Have the ideas you want to convey clear in your mind but avoid trying to memorize specific turns of phrase. This level of preparation leads to a semi-scripted or robotic presentation which is less engaging and less effective. Be yourself! It's compelling. It increases accuracy. And ultimately, it almost always helps you perform better in an assessment.

Authenticity. It requires transparency, integrity and even vulnerability. Being open and honest also takes you on the path of least resistance - it allows you to let go of doing what you think you should be doing, and embrace exactly where and who you are. Communication is one of the most essential tools for humanity - embrace it from a point of honesty.

One thing I've found helpful is incorporating constructive self-reflection into communication. This not only fosters authenticity but also allows for continuous personal growth. Recognizing areas for improvement and actively working on them demonstrates a commitment to professional development and ethical communication.

Feedback is essential to one's development and progress. But you have to actively ask for it. Top performing companies and individuals are at the top because they consistently search for ways to make their best efforts even better. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn to accept and engage with critical feedback - it may hurt the ego, but it leads to true progress.

Each of us has a unique communication style, and our responses to prompts will follow our own pattern of communication. What's your pattern? Do you outline your response before proceeding systematically? Or do you tend to jump into the middle of the action "in medias res" and fill in context later? Knowing your style will help you adapt and adjust to the assessment. But wherever possible, stick to a storytelling style. This is the most interesting and effective way of getting a point across. People can imagine themselves in your story. They can empathize with the characters and become interested in the plotlines. Framing answers as stories is worth your consideration, and will ease your burden as it comes naturally to most of us.

One thing I'd like to add is the importance of remaining adaptable in communication. Given the dynamic nature of online assessments, being flexible in response to unexpected changes or challenges can significantly enhance your ability to convey information effectively. This adaptability showcases resilience and a mastery of communication in various circumstances.