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Workplace Communication

Register for Winter 2025

Workplace Communication is a four-module course with focus on skills and strategies essential to navigating and thriving in professional settings. Topics include developing skills for workplace professionalism, cultural awareness, delivering impactful presentations, and building professional writing skills.


COURSES

The Workplace Professionalism course will equip learners with the knowledge and skills to uphold high standards of professionalism that are critical for excelling in the rapidly changing, multicultural environment.   Participants will learn essential ‘soft skills’ including how to demonstrate integrity, ethical behaviour, and professional etiquette with the intention of building productive relationships in the workplace for personal and organizational success.

This non-credit course is a part of the Workplace Communication Certificate series and includes approximately 3 hours of self-paced work and a 3-hour interactive instructor-led online class.  

Learning Outcomes / Key Takeaways

Participants will build skills to:

  • apply ethical principles in various professional situations
  • resolve communication dilemmas with integrity
  • discuss appropriate etiquette in workplace communication and social media use
  • use generative AI tools with integrity
  • understand organizational structures and expectations
  • establish strong workplace relationships

Examples of Learning Activities

Skill-building will take place via:

  • engaging discussions
  • case analyses
  • self-reflection
  • brainstorming activities
  • analyzing common workplace challenges

For successful completion of this class, participants must complete the asynchronous learning activities and participate in the instructor-led class.  Upon completion of all 4 Workplace Communication courses, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion.  

 

The Intercultural Communication course explores the concept of ‘culture’ and the dimensions that underpin cultural identity. Participants will learn essential skills that enable effective communication in a multicultural professional environment. Key topics include understanding cultural norms and expectations, evaluating how cultural identities impact communication styles, recognizing barriers to effective intercultural communication, applying the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and using inclusive language. The module will equip participants with the skills and confidence to demonstrate cultural intelligence and foster effective intercultural communication in the workplace. 

This non-credit course is a part of the Workplace Communication Certificate series and includes approximately 3 hours of self-paced work and a 3-hour interactive instructor-led online class.  

Learning Outcomes / Key Takeaways

Participants will build skills to:

  • discuss how cultural identity impact communication style
  • build cultural intelligence
  • analyze the components of effective intercultural communication
  • identify issues arising from challenges with equity, diversity and inclusion
  • apply strategies to avoid prejudice, stereotypes and biases
  • use inclusive language

Examples of Learning Activities

Skill-building will take place via:

  • engaging discussions
  • self-reflection
  • case analyses
  • research tasks

For successful completion of this class, participants must complete the asynchronous learning activities and participate in the instructor-led class.  Upon completion of all 4 Workplace Communication courses, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion. 

The Professional Presentations course aims to build oral skills to convey information effectively and confidently. Participants will learn how to engage in client-centered communication and deliver compelling presentations (in a group or to a client). Key topics include analyzing audience needs, structuring content for maximum impact, informing and persuading, designing visual aids, interacting with the audience, and mastering presentation delivery techniques. The module will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to convey messages with clarity, confidence, and tact, using relevant verbal and non-verbal strategies to become persuasive, engaging, and inclusive speakers.  Learners will engage in discussion, group activities, and presenting. 

This non-credit course is a part of the Workplace Communication Certificate series and includes approximately 3 hours of self-paced work and a 3-hour interactive instructor-led online class.  

Learning Outcomes / Key Takeaways

Participants will build skills to:

  • use small talk to build relationships
  • create compelling presentation openings, informative bodies, and memorable conclusions
  • employ clear, concise, and inclusive language
  • develop verbal and non-verbal delivery techniques
  • establish credibility as a speaker
  • build confidence in handling questions and managing audience interactions

Examples of Learning Activities

Skill-building will take place via:

  • engaging discussions
  • group activities
  • brainstorming exercises
  • hands-on presentation tasks
  • self-reflection, peer review and targeted feedback

For successful completion of this class, participants must complete the asynchronous learning activities and participate in the instructor-led class.  Upon completion of all 4 Workplace Communication courses, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion. 

The Professional Writing Style course aims to enhance participants’ writing skills, focusing on clarity, conciseness, appropriate tone and style as well as patterns of text organization tailored to various business contexts. Participants will learn to craft emails, reports, proposals, and other professional documents effectively, following the expected format. Key topics also include email etiquette, precise and concise language, persuasive messages, professional tone, delivering negative news tactfully, and advanced editing techniques.  

By the end of this module, participants will be able to express themselves with precision in writing, produce polished professional documents, and adapt their writing style to fit various audience needs and business contexts. Skill-building activities will include brainstorming exercises, hands-on writing tasks, peer review, and individualized feedback. 

This non-credit course is a part of the Workplace Communication Certificate series and includes approximately 3 hours of self-paced work and a 3-hour interactive instructor-led online class.  

Learning Outcomes / Key Takeaways

Participants will build skills to:

  • analyze for writing purpose and adapt for reader needs
  • produce writing that is clear, concise, correct, and courteous
  • create documents using the common professional writing formats
  • craft compelling openings and effective concluding comments
  • write persuasively and tactfully
  • use a professional tone with the principles of inclusivity and readability
  • integrate data and statistics effectively
  • use diverse editing techniques

Examples of Learning Activities

Skill-building will take place via:

  • group activities
  • brainstorming exercises
  • hands-on writing tasks
  • engaging discussions
  • peer review and individualized feedback

For successful completion of this class, participants must complete the asynchronous learning activities and participate in the instructor-led class.  Upon completion of all 4 Workplace Communication courses, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Learners will receive a Certificate of Participation upon completion of all four modules of the Workplace Communication course.

Duration: 6 hours/module, (3 hours Self-directed + 3 hours instructor-facilitated)

Format: Online Blended (4 courses, 6 hours each, total 24 hours)

Course Fee: $179 + HST per module

OR Bundle Price: $644.40 + HST

Workplace Professionalism

January 30, 2025

1:30-4:30 pm EST, Online

Self-directed modules are available from January 23-January 30, 2025.

Professional Writing

February 13, 2025

1:30-4:30 pm EST, Online

Self-directed modules are available from February 6 - February 13, 2025.

Professional Presentations

February 27, 2025

1:30-4:30 pm EST, Online

Self-directed modules are available from February 20 - February 27, 2025.

Intercultural Communications

March 13, 2025

1:30-4:30 pm EST, Online

Self-directed modules are available from March 6 - March 13, 2025.

Technical Requirements:

  • Learners will require access to a computer with high-speed internet access.
  • Class is delivered online through the Brightspace Learning Management System (for class materials and assignments) and Microsoft Teams for class meetings.

Brightspace and Microsoft Teams Requirements:

  • A link will be provided through email prior to the first day of class so that you will have access to all course resources and streaming functions.
  • Once you register for this class you will be issued a UWinID. Please activate your UWinID as soon as possible. Document your UWinID and password as you will need it to access Brightspace and Teams. If you have any issues, please contact continue@uwindsor.ca.
  • Visit this site for Brightspace technical requirements.
REGISTER NOW

Email us at continue@uwindsor.ca if you have questions - we are always happy to help. 

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