Strategic Communications


         You understand professional, goal-centric communication practices.  

  You follow research sources and news media.  

You work closely with leaders and senior managers.

 You know how to build, roll out, assess and report on communication plans.

 You follow the professional communicator's code of ethics.

 

 

This is a six-week online course with free multi-media learning resources. 
Learn at your own pace.

Try not to rush as stress can block learning and retention*.

Aim for a maximum of ten hours per week.
Two hours every other weeknight plus two hours on Sat and Sun. is ideal. 

- MWFSS -

 *Source: NPJ -: Science of Learning

 

Validation

The Government of Canada has identified nine essential skills for employment, one of which is communication skills. Here's why -- "Strong communication skills help you share information in a way that others can clearly understand. You also need strong communication skills to listen to, pay attention to, and understand others. In all jobs, communication skills are important for developing good working relationships to work effectively in a team, understand a variety of viewpoints, and to gather and share information while problem solving..."

The Government of British Columbia equally embraces the federal government's nine essential skills. Their division of Government Communications and Public Engagement is home to many professional communicators and describes its role as "the strategic communications partner to B.C.'s executive council (cabinet). We specialize in people-first communications, content development, media relations, advertising, multi-language services and more."  

A well-educated communicator can enable business success. Recruiters seek out employees who have a solid understanding of professional communication practices. That's because communicators understand how to generate, measure and assess results. They also routinely report on progress in reaching target audiences and fulfilling goals.

What you will learn 

       Perspective on professional practices and ethics

  • Learn how globalization has changed communication and culture.
  • Access knowledge, skills and tools for organizing and assessing effective communication plans and campaigns.
  • Discover the ethics and codes of conduct adopted by professional communicators and why professional standards are so important within this work world.
     How to write a strategic communications plan
  • Learn the step-by-step process of researching and building a solid strategic communications plan.
  • Gather information and prepare an outline, then a first draft, showing how your plan aligns with the client's  organizational goals, target audiences, key market areas and media channels. 
  • Discover ways to ensure communications connect target audiences with the organization’s purpose and services. 
  • Delve into the rationale, the strategies, and the impact of effective positioning, messaging and branding.  

How you will learn

Our courses are designed to promote cognitive engagement which involves mental effort, persistence and strategic thinking. Learners engage and grow by applying critical thinking skills, self-regulation and by connecting new information to prior knowledge. Strategies to promote a deep desire to learn include having choices, using collaborative, open-ended projects and creating tasks that require critical thinking rather than simple recall.

Here’s how we encourage cognitive engagement in our courses -

1. You will receive a course plan with details on each learning module for each week.
2. You will also receive a link to the Open Textbook for the course you have selected.
3. Each course comes with a storyboard showing each step in the learning process.
4. Learning resources include videos, slide decks, visual and editorial samples.
6. Your course plan will also indicate textbook pages to read for your weekly quiz.
7. A live meeting is held once each week to discuss key points in the learning module.
8. Assignments are also discussed at weekly meetings. You pick your own subject matter.
9. Access the social media networking resource to ask questions, discuss and learn from other learners.

Please view the Learning page for more info on our teaching methods.

 

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Learning objectives

  • Consider the impact of globalization on communication and culture today.  
  • Understand the impact of communication and information flow. 
  • Explore how communication skills enable human interaction. 
  • Learn to develop communication plans that align with business or government goals.  

Free and open learning resources

Nested within your course shell is a six-week course plan with selected Open Textbook readings (see below), along with handouts, slide decks, videos and podcast links, editorials, essays, infographics, plans and reports from various sources. You will find details and directions on what to read for your understanding and what to review to support your assignment work.

Prerequisites

Before enrolling, take a moment to assess your readiness. These are the skills you need to succeed -

Technical skills  
  • Keyboarding - accuracy, speed, correct posture.
  • Computer familiarity.
  • Ability to search online.
  • Solid reading and writing skills, plus clear speaking, listening and thinking critically.  
 Tools and equipment 
  • Familiar with the spell-check tool.
  • Know how to use a calculator. 
  • Ability to use a dictionary and thesaurus. 
Also helpful
  • Access to a second set of eyes (someone willing to proofread your work). 
  • Experience in the workplace provides another level of understanding.
  • Minimum education: high school completion.
  • Time commitments - 10 hours per week for six weeks including weekends.

Key takeaways for members

  • Membership provides more learning and at half the price.
  • After one year of successful studies as a member, you will take away six certificates for the six professional skills you've studied and completed. 
  • You will have a career plan to guide you to the right job market in your search for the kind of work you want to do. 
  • You will have built a portfolio website showing your professional work samples. 
  • You will have six storyboards outlining the process you followed within each course. You now know those steps by heart. 
  • You will have ten quality Open Textbooks and a series of learning resources that guided you through your studies. Keep them handy for when   you’re challenged at work or in future studies. 
  • You will have a resume and a draft cover letter ready to update for future job applications.  
  • You will have an assessment letter written by your instructor who will also serve as a reference when you complete with a minimum 80% average. 

 

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