Explain the models of classroom communication

1. Unilateral communication model ( Action Model)
This involved a discrete event initiated by a teacher and terminated at learner. It depicts
communication as one- way or linear process assuming an active teacher and a passive learner
where speakers only speak and the listener listens; there is no provision for feedback because the
teacher speaks to the leaner than with the learner .Typical of this is a formal lecture to a group of
learners. It is authoritarian in nature and source-oriented (teacher-centered), mechanistic, linear,
passive and has a cause and effect relationship.
TEACHER----------- MESSAGE------------ LEARNER

2. Directive communication (Interactive Model)
This model treats communication in the classroom as a static event. It seeks to overcome the
main flow of the action model; the receiver or listener provides feedback to the sender or
speaker. Although it occurs face to face and the exchange is completed when the receiver
indicates to the sender that the message has been understood, there is no provision for active
response nor mutual influence and exchange. An example is when a teacher expounds some
information and the learner agrees that they have understood; the teacher stops there instead of
interacting further with the learners. The main drawback of this model is that it does not indicate
that communicators can both send and receive messages simultaneously and also fails to show
that communication is a dynamic process which changes over time.

3. Transactional model ( Transactive Model)
This type is receiver-oriented and shows that the elements of communication are interdependent.
The sender and receiver are both speaker and listener, and can be simultaneously sending and
receiving messages. The teacher speaks, the message is conveyed to the learners who listen and
react accordingly. The teacher further reacts to the learner’s responses. There is a lot of
interaction among the participants of the communication process. Information travels in all
directions and it is inter-deterministic. Communication is interpersonal between the teacher and
leaners and between the learners and learners themselves.

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NatalieR answered the question on February 11, 2022 at 13:35