COMMUNICATOR for a CYBER AGE in Africa. Edited by Fr. K D Tom Kunnel sdb Bosco Eastern Africa Multimedia Services (B.E.A.M.S) Salesians of Don Bosco Karen, 00502 Kenya COMMUNICATOR FOR A CYBER-AGE IN AFRICA TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement vi Foreword vii Introduction ix Guidelines x SECTION - 1 1.1 Communication and our Human Identity 3 1.2 The Challenge of Communication 7 1.3 Definition, Components and Forms of Communication 12 1.4 Simplified Models of Communication 18 1.5 Noise in Communication 23 1.6 Body Language 27 1.7 Eye Communication 31 1.8 The Language of Signs and Symbols 36 1.9 Etiquette for Better Communication 41 1.10 A Brief History of Communication 49 SECTION - 2 2.1 Intra-Personal Communication 57 2.2 Communication and Self Management 65 2.3 Advanced Models of Communication 72 2.4 Visual Media 77 2.5 Characteristics of an Audio-Visual Culture 87 2.6 A Biblical Framework for Human Communication 92 2.7 Significance of Words According to Scripture 96 2.8 Guidelines for Liturgical Music 100 2.9 Drama in the Liturgy 107 2.10 Dance in the Liturgy 113 SECTION - 3 3.1 Human Person as Communicator 119 3.2 Media and Meaning 123 3.3 The Levels of Meaning in Communication 127 3.4 People, Context, and Communication 131 3.5 Perception, Bias and Stereotypes 136 3.6 What is Truth? 144 3.7 Tolerance and the Communication of Truth 150 3.8 Reconstructing Reality 157 3.9 Dialogue – A Way of Being Fully Human 161 3.10 Enunciation Skills 167 3.11 Public Speaking Skills 173 3.12 The Power of Mass Media 180 3.13 Listening, the Biblical Perspective 184 3.14 Feelings and Relationship 190 SECTION - 4 4.1 Mass Media Culture 197 4.2 Techniques of Mass Media Persuasion 203 4.3 Voice Training Skills 207 4.4 The Advertising Audience 212 4.5 Plastic Image versus Real Value 216 4.6 Selection, Interpretation, Distortion, Emphasis 221 4.7 Mass Communication, Influence and Control 224 SECTION - 5 5.1 Starting a Newsletter 233 5.2 Group Dynamics of a Mission Team 239 5.3 Organising a One day Media/Literature/Science Festival/ Bible Camp/Mission Event 242 5.4 Presentation Skills 246 5.5 Fundamental Research Methodology 251 5.6 Publication Skills 257 5.7 Caring as an Expression of Christian Communication 261 5.8 Words in Relationships 265 5.9 Classroom / School Management 269 5.10 Understanding Film – Grammar and Cultural Expression 273 5.11 Film Criticism and Review 282 SECTION - 6 6.1 Foundation of Communication Theology 289 6.2 Introduction to Communication Theology 292 6.3 Jesus Christ – The Ideal Communicator 296 6.4 Scripture: Word, Image, Tradition 300 6.5 Church Documents on Social Communications – I 304 6.6 Church Documents on Social Communication – II 311 6.7 Communication and Church Models 315 6.8 Church Structures and Organisation for Social Communication 321 6.9 Issues in Media and the Christian Response 327 6.10 Catechesis and Communication 332 6.11 The Human Approach in Catechesis 335 6.12 Communication and Culture 339 6.13 The Need for Inter-Religious Dialogue 345 6.14 Forms of Inter-religious Dialogue 350 6.15 Inter-religious Dialogue: Obstacles and Blessings 353 6.16 Youth Retreats 356 6.17 Communicating the Word of God through Fruitful Sermons 363 6.18 Practical Guidelines for Pastoral Planning for Social Communication 369 6.19 Communication Challenges with Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) Development 375 6.20 Evangelisation for the Cyber Age 382 6.21 Spirituality for Cyber Age 387 ANNEXURES Annexure 1 Proficiency and Effectiveness Evaluation 393 Annexure 2 Tips for Communication 394 Annexure 3 Add POWER to Power Point Presentation 396 Annexure 4 Useful Websites 399 Annexure 5 Getting the most out of Google 402 Annexure 6 Quotes 404 Annexure 7 Works of St. Augutine of Hippo, the African Genius 408 Annexure 8 St. Francis de Sales. Patron Saint of Journalists 411 Annexure 9 Don Bosco and Media 413 Annexure 10 Blessed Alberione: Apostle of Communication 415 Annexure 11 Pope John Paul II and the Media 418 Glossary Communication, Computer, Film and Multimedia 421 Communicator for a Cyber-Age in Africa Thank you for taking time to read these instructions. This manual is intended to help the formation of leaders in Communication. It has six sections. Each section has a varied number of topics and each topic is divided into two sections: one for the trainer and the other handout for the participant. In the right hand column the AIM of the topic and the MATERIALS REQUIRED for the teaching are given. Each topic is sub-divided into various areas: they are PROCEDURE in which the participants are invited to perform an activity on which they will reflect later during the session, INPUT in which teaching of the topic takes place, REVIEW in which a summary of the whole topic is given, REFLECTION in which the participants will be invited to reflect on life in relation to the topic discussed, RELEVANT SKILLS in which the participant will be asked to perform various activities and finally the RESOURCES and REFERENCES. INPUT deals with the ‘Knowledge’ element. Please bear in mind that teaching of Communication in the Twenty-first century is like shooting a moving target from a shifting platform. So you need to keep yourself updated constantly. The “Knowledge” element can, to some extent influence the ‘Behaviour’ of the trainee. But this connection need not evolve spontaneously. Hence it must be borne in mind that “Attitude” is of prime importance. Hence the formation must be focussed on this area. We suggest that a methodology of 3XL - eXperience, eXpress, eXperiement and Live. In the Input section besides the knowledge content, the experience of the trainer and trainee should be shared and this will lead both to express their beliefs, fears and learning. The REFLECTION section can be challenging. Here the participant is invited to reflect on concrete life situation, one may be asked to think about what one may not be comfortable with. The SKILLS section will help the trainee to experiment the principles that have been assimilated. It will enable the trainee to make the learning with practical and develop attitudes for life. The best result is achieved where the participants are given the hand out and they take part in the exercise. The ideal will be to use the Training Manual in a sequential manner but one can choose the topics guided by his/her training needs. Let us know if you need further assistance in any area. It will be useful to invite an expert in some particular topics where you feel incompetent. We shall appreciate your suggestions and inputs to improve this manual. Fr. Sebastian Koladiyil, sdb Director, BEAMS Bosco Eastern Africa Multimedia Services Karen Kenya As a tribute to all those whose contribution led to the creation and completion of this manual, we would like to acknowledge: • Sheila Kamau - BEAMS • Anthony Mungai - BEAMS • Richard Nderitu - BEAMS • Nancy Ndung’u - BEAMS • Sarah Kihumba - BEAMS • Caroline Muthoni - BEAMS • Timothy Muriithi - BEAMS • Students of Don Bosco College Moshi Batch of 2004-5 • Mr. John Nyambega - CUEA • Dr. Dominic Dipio - Makerere University • Merab Ochieng • Dr. Gilbert Choondal, sdb • Dr. George Plathottam, sdb • Fr. Glenford Lowe, sdb • Fr. Sam Obu, sdb • Lillian W. Ng’ayo • Eddie Kabue • Fr. Sebastian Koladiyil This manual was the outcome of an adaptation in part of ‘Shepherds for an Information Age’ BOSCOM- INDIA. We thank BOSCOM-INDIA for the permission to do so. Wherever possible, sources have been acknowledged. We look forward to hearing your views, input and opinions. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Concept FR. KD TOM KUNNEL SDB Editor FR. KD TOM KUNNEL SDB Research SHEILA KAMAU Layout & Design BOSCO EASTERN AFRICA MULTIMEDIA SERVICES (BEAMS) Illustrations ANTHONY MUNGAI RICHARD NDERITU Proofreading BEAMS The twenty-first century can be identified by many acronyms but one stands out IT which could mean Informational Technology, Instant Technology or International Technology. We are at the dawn of interconnected technology which crosses all continents, boarders, times and languages. No one can stop it. It is a God given gift to be used for good or evil. Pope Pius VI in his epoch exhortation, ‘Evangelii Nuntiandi’ said “The Church would feel guilty before the Lord if she did not utilize these powerful means that human skill is render more perfect daily. It is through them that she proclaims ‘from the housetops’ the message of which she is the depository.” The Salesians, following the charism of their founder, Don Bosco, of training youth worldwide, and promoting and developing the knowledge and art of social communications, have produced a timely communication training manual for forming of the laity, seminarians and religious in formation. It is called ‘CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATOR FOR A CYBER AGE IN AFRICA.” Many parts of the Church have lagged behind in training its disciples in the communication skills of our time. This manual will bridge the communication gap and equip our religious and laity to be in the forefront in all avenues of communicating the ‘Word of God.’ This manual teaches how communication can fit into every aspect of their religious formation from giving retreats, the writing of newsletters, the making of video documentaries and the production of religious radio programmes. It is designed to cover seven years of training with a syllabus that will progressively challenge the intellectual growth and maturity of the trainee. Christ was the great communicator of His time and we must know and use the varied tools of proclaiming the ‘Good News’ in our time.