Communication has changed. The traditional rules for speaking and presenting, meeting coordination, influencing people, negotiating and selling ideas no longer apply in a world of Zoom, Skype, and other video and teleconferencing programs. This course reviews several concepts about virtual communications. Our goal is to give you tools that you can practice and perfect on your own.

This MOOC includes:

• Five modules screened over seven weeks or at your convenience. Each module features videos, as well as lectures by Ivan Wanis Ruiz of U of T's School of Continuing Studies, a communications, public speaking, and business presentation expert.

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COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR A VIRTUAL AGE

Module 1 – Introduction to Virtual Teams and Virtual Communication

• Welcome to the Course!
• The 3 Traps of Communication
• Social (Virtual) Dynamics

Module 2 – Virtual Meetings: Boring to Awesome

• Meet the Bones
• Interactive Awesome

Module 3 – Influence, Power and Questioning Strategies in Virtual Collaboration

• Let’s Really Communicate
• Who’s got the Power
• It’s not what you ask for. It’s how.
• Why are you asking?

Module 4 – Speaking and Presenting a Virtual Context

• How the Brain Listens
• Speaking to the Brain
• Showing the Brain
• Let’s Get Talking

Module 5 – Virtual Engagement

• Virtual Mindshift
• The Non-Verbal Virtual
• Engagement Hacks
• Congratulations – Goodbye and Thank you!

Delivered online by Coursera, this MOOC is one of the many ways U of T keeps you informed, inspired and in touch with alumni all over the world. Stay connected to your U of T community and never stop learning.

 About the Lecturer

Ivan Wanis Ruiz is not your typical teacher, in fact he is not your typical anything. Beyond an instructor at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies he has worked in finance, marketing and HR.  He is a sought-after trainer with clients that range the globe in industries as diverse as finance and banking to International Shipping to Global Oil and Gas.

When he is not teaching communication he is an event emcee and was the official host for the 2015 PanAm Games, the 2017 Invitctus Games and most recently the 2021 Fifa Arab Cub.

He is also the author of End Boring: A Tactical Approach to Communication and a professional salsa dancer!  You can find out more about Ivan on his website: www.publicspeakinglab.com.

REGISTER

The week of September 26 you’ll receive an email from Coursera with a link to access the course. If you don’t receive an email from Coursera within two business days after registration, please email regional.programs@alumni.utoronto.ca

To access the course, you’ll need to create an account on the Coursera website. Please follow these simple steps.

• Click the link in the email sent by Coursera.
• At the top of the page, click “Sign up”.
• Choose whether you want to provide a name, email and password, or link your Coursera account to your Facebook profile.

Computer Literacy
You need access to a camera and microphone on your computer as well as knowledge of the following skills to participate in this MOOC:

• Understanding of basic computer hardware and software; ability to perform computer operations, such as:
  • Managing files and folders: save, name, copy, move, backup, rename, delete
• Using software applications like Word, PowerPoint, Excel and email clients
• Knowledge of copying and pasting, spell-checking and saving files in different formats
• Sending and downloading attachments
• Internet skills (connecting, accessing, using browsers) and ability to perform online research using search engines
• Ability to use online communication tools, such as email (create, send, receive, reply, print, send/receive attachments), discussion boards (read, search, post, reply, follow threads), chats and messenger tools

Recommended Browsers and Devices
You can use Coursera on computers and mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. Please note: when accessing the Coursera website (on approved browsers) using a mobile device, you’ll need to download the Coursera mobile app.

Having trouble with Coursera? Start by ensuring you’re using the most recent version of a supported browser or device.

Computer browsers supported by Coursera:

• Google Chrome (recommended)
• Firefox
• Safari
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge

Note: If you're using an older browser, updating your browser often solves the problem.