Introduction

Communication skills are key to success in any sector but are particularly
important in highly technical sectors such as IT where the language used can
become full of jargon. It is important that learners are able to communicate with
technical and non-technical staff and understand how interpersonal skills affect
communication.

IT provides opportunities for us to communicate more effectively using many
different tools. Therefore, as well as developing interpersonal skills through more
traditional methods of communication such as the spoken word, learners will be
introduced to the software packages and tools that are used to present
information.

Learners will be prompted to consider their audience when discussing IT-related
information. Explaining an IT-related topic to a non-technical person can be
challenging and avoiding jargon difficult. Learners will communicate with people
with technical knowledge and those without.
This unit could be taught in conjunction with other units from the programme to
emphasise vocational contexts and make use of naturally occurring assessment
opportunities.