Communication Commons^™

Review Of Language And Culture In Context: A Primer On Intercultural Communication, Maria Subert

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Language and Culture in Context: A Primer on Intercultural Communication by Robert Goodwin-Jones, Virginia Commonwealth University, https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/978

Review Of Intercultural Communication For The Community College (Second Edition), Christina-Marie Magalona

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Intercultural Communication for the Community College (Second Edition) by Karen Krumrey, Lane Community College, https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/comm115/

Review Of A Guide To Good Reasoning: Cultivating Intellectual Virtues, Scott Andrews

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of A Guide to Good Reasoning: Cultivating Intellectual Virtues by D.C. Wilson (2020), University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, https://open.lib.umn.edu/goodreasoning/

Review Of Advanced Public Speaking, Karla Jennings

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Advanced Public Speaking by Lynn Meade, University of Arkansas, https://uark.pressbooks.pub/speaking/

Review Of Writing Like A Pr Pro: Why Writing Is Still Crucial In A Digital And Visual World, Christopher Ortega

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Writing like a PR pro: Why writing is still crucial in a digital and visual world (2017) by Mary Sterenberg found at https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/writelikeapro/

Review Of Small Group Communication: Forming And Sustaining Teams, Justin Walton

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Small group communication: Forming and sustaining teams (2021) by Jasmine Linabary and Moon Castro found at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/small-group-communication-forming-sustaining-teams.

Review Of Public Speaking: The Virtual Text, Tim Michaels

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Public speaking: The virtual text (2013), by Lisa Schreiber and Morgan Hartranft found at https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Public_Speaking/Public_Speaking_(The_Public_Speaking_Project).

Review Of Humans R Social Media, Alicen Rushevics

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Humans r social media by iVoices Media Lab and Diana Daly (2021) from the University of Arizona found at https://opentextbooks.library.arizona.edu/hrsm/.

Review Of Exploring Public Speaking, Sean Te Maulding

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Exploring public speaking (2019) by Barbara Tucker, Kristin Barton, Amy Burger, Jerry Drye, Cathy Hunsicker, Amy Mendes, and Matthew LeHew found at https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/communication-textbooks/1/.

Review Of Communication In The Real World, Kelsey Denton

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Review of Communication in the Real World (2016) by the University of Minnesota found at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/communication-in-the-real-world-an-introduction-to-communication-studies.

An Active Learning Approach To Listening: The Coin Drop Activity, Ronda Leahy, Michael Tollefson

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

There is considerable research examining listening, as it is an important skill. While listening skills are important, very little instructional time is devoted to developing those skills (Hopper, 2007). After completion of this activity, students are able to describe their own listening process and assess listening techniques. This activity works well to introduce the concept of listening and various components within the listening process. Students do not typically think of listening as a skill that they can improve. When we discuss the listening process, we can recall this activity to illustrate the connection between sensing and processing.

Stereotyping: An Open Conversation On The Establishment, Nature, And Impact Of Stereotypes On Society, Christina M. Van Essen

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Stereotypes are generalizations about groups of people that have impacted predominantly marginalized communities. We typically use stereotypes against a generalized other and some stereotypes have become part of our perceptual sets. This activity attempts to re-humanize stereotypes by confronting students with known stereotypes and makes students reflect on the impact of stereotypes on people’s lives.

A Precarious Prediction: Applying Predicted Outcome Value Theory To Classroom First Impressions, Joshua N. Westwick

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

First impressions have a significant impact on our initial and long-term communication interactions. The predicted outcome value theory suggests that the initial impressions we make upon meeting someone new stimulate us to make predictions about potential outcomes and values of continuing or terminating a relationship (Sunnafrank, 1986). This classroom activity provides an opportunity to explore predicted outcome value theory through application and discussion-based learning. Students have praised the activity and demonstrated growth in the learning outcomes.

Public Speaking Tasks Across The University Curriculum, Gina Iberri-Shea

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Oral communication proficiency is often highlighted as an outcome of U.S. university curriculum, yet it is often unclear how it manifests in the classroom. This paper presents a series of surveys investigating oral communication tasks across the university. The focus of the analysis is on public speaking tasks occurring across disciplines. Results demonstrate that there is a wide range of tasks found in university syllabi, that group and individual presentations are the most prominent, and that communication studies incorporates task types unique to the discipline. Descriptions of the task types found within disciplines are provided, along with an analysis of …

An Examination Of Students Perceptions Of "Learning" In A Study Abroad Experience And Recommendations For Effective Pedagogy, Scott Dickmeyer, Ronda Knox

Speaker & Gavel

Undergraduate study abroad programs are becoming more popular in our increasingly global society. Students consider the opportunity to study abroad to be a personally impacting educational experience. This study provided empirical data demonstrating that study abroad experiences are unique as students learn in ways that differ from the tradition classroom. Additionally, the results indicate that students struggle with the interdependent terms study and abroad. The experience of living abroad is exceptionally educational as well deeply personal and impacting. However, traditional classroom study practices (reading textbooks, taking exams, etc.) impose obstacles for the experiential learning (living in another culture). As such, …

Communication In Action: Educating Graduate Teaching Assistants In At-Risk Pedagogy, Kristen P. Treinen

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

I begin this paper with a glimpse into the literature concerning at-risk and antiracist theory in order to understand the connections between the two bodies of literature. Next, by combining two bodies of literature, I argue for the implementation of a pedagogy of hope, culturally relevant teaching, and empowerment for students in the classroom. Finally, I outline a course for graduate teaching assistants that explores the utility of a pedagogy of hope, culturally relevant teaching, and empowerment for students in the communication classroom.

Understanding Proxemics Through Restrooms: A "Hands-Off" Approach To Personal Space And Communication, Joshua Westwick

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Numerous methods of teaching nonverbal communication have been well documented in the literature. However, some instructors may struggle to create transformative learning experiences for their students. This teaching activity provides a creative and original way for students to discuss nonverbal communication, specifically proxemics, in a fun, engaging, and memorable learning experience. This exercise asks the learners to reflect upon a previous experience with using a public restroom, critically reflect upon that experience individually, engage in classroom discourse about the experience, and take action by being aware of the space and territoriality choices they make. Students have responded positively to the …

Doubling Down On Student Discussion: A Simple Technique For Increased Involvement, J. Jacob Jenkins

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Objectives

1. Students will actively participate in classroom discussion.

2. Students will learn to not “over share,” allowing opportunities for others to speak.

3. Students will be accountable for the material discussed in class.

The Art Of Making Conversation: Learning The Skills Small Talk, Kelly L. Mckay-Semmler, Shane Semmler

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Although “small talk” is often dismissed as trifling and superficial communication, the ability to converse comfortably with potential relational partners in initial interpersonal encounters is foundational to building closer relationships. In this assignment, students enhance their interpersonal communication competence through the application of six small talk guidelines in two peer-to-peer conversations and in a capstone conversation with the instructor one-on-one. This assignment is appropriate for a variety of communication courses, including the basic course, interpersonal communication, and courses in professional communication, as it develops students’ skills in active listening, self-disclosure, nonverbal immediacy, and anxiety/uncertainty management in interpersonal communication with strangers.

Understanding Coalition Dynamics: A Role Play Class Activity, Anthony M. Ocaña

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

The purpose of this activity is to illustrate the role and challenges of coalitions in group conflict and decision making. In this activity, students take on the roles of organizational members tasked to arrive at consensus, but having different goals, interests, and information that could impact the decision. In discussing this activity experience, instructors can illustrate the six principles of coalitions presented in Wilmot and Hocker’s Interpersonal Conflict text. This activity is applicable to any course that addresses conflict and group interaction, including interpersonal and group communication, organizational and professional communication, family communication, and workplace skills seminars.

Illustrating The Perceptual Process Through A Music Video, Stacey A. Peterson

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

This exercise uses a popular music video to illustrate the significant role that perception plays in the communication process. Perception is a continual and active process that impacts how people see their world, themselves, others in it, and the ultimate creation of meaning. By using a music video, students are immediately engaged because it is a medium that they are very familiar with. Upon completion of this activity, students will demonstrate a better understanding of how and why people perceive the same thing(s) in a variety of ways. They will also have a tangible example of the centrality and complexity …

Creating Community Outside Of The Classroom: Strategies For Integrating Second Life Into The Interpersonal Communication Course, Elizabeth Tolman

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

The educational opportunities for Second Life across various courses have been well documented in the literature. However, instructors new to teaching online may not have explored Second Life as an instructional resource and may perceive using Second Life as overwhelming. For this assignment, students create an avatar and interact with other avatars in Second Life. This assignment can be used in the online or face-to-face communication course. Second Life provides a context where students can participate in interactions with other avatars, their classmates, and the instructor. Students observe and analyze self-disclosure, interpersonal deception, verbal communication, nonverbal communication, and additional interpersonal …

The Semiotics Of Teaching With Reality Tv: A Theory-Based Approach To Teaching And Modeling Communication Theory, Rita L. Rahoi-Gilchrest

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

This article begins by establishing a rationale for not only teaching with reality television in the communication classroom, but also taking a theory-based approach to doing so. A theoretical framework for the pedagogical use of reality TV—semiotic theory, based on the work of Peirce— is presented. The discussion then moves to a specific outline of a sample classroom activity that demonstrates a semiotic approach, using the BRAVO TV website as a means of illustrating and teaching Cultural Studies Theory. The author concludes by qualifying the case for using reality TV as one—but not the only—means of teaching communication, and offers …

Identifying Rhetorical Visions And Group Roles Through Role-Play, Brent Kice

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

This classroom activity allows students to experience small group communication components firsthand. Students will be divided into groups of five, with each member receiving a character background that the member will role-play. The character backgrounds are to be kept hidden from other members, and each member has an ulterior goal that the member will try to achieve, unbeknownst to the other members. The character backgrounds are designed to force conflict among the group members. At the conclusion of the activity, students will discuss how the different character roles affected the group, and what unifying message might have worked in uniting …

Illustrating Tensions Using Stretchy String: Teaching Relational Dialectics In The Interpersonal Communication Class, Valerie Lynn Schrader, Azhanni Muhammad

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

The objective of this activity is to increase students’ knowledge of Relational Dialectics by illustrating dialectic tensions in a tangible way. Relational Dialectics, which focuses on different dimensions in relationships, is an important concept for students to understand because it highlights the messiness of interpersonal relationships. This activity illustrates dialectical tensions through the use of colored stretchy craft string, providing students with a physical manifestation of an abstract concept.

Making Verbal Pauses Taboo®: Gaming To Improve Communication, Abby M. Brooks, Andrew C. Tollison

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

This activity contributes to the improvement of communication skills through application and enjoyment. The manuscript describes how a class can be divided into teams to test student’s communicative abilities by playing the Milton Bradley game Taboo®. With “buzzing,” timing and friendly competition speakers face-off at attempts to have their teammates guess words or phrases like “bowling alley” without saying “pins,” “shoes,” “spare,” “balls” or “strike.” This lively skill-building activity has been found to be an effective way to challenge the speaker to process what they are saying, reduce the use of verbal pauses, and use nonverbal pauses more effectively. Up …

Giving A Classmate An Award: Ceremonial Speaking Within The Classroom Environment, Heidi Hamilton

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

As citizens we encounter ceremonial speaking occasions throughout our lives, from wedding toasts to retirement dinners to eulogies. While many textbooks offer guidelines for the various types of speaking occasions, these occasions are difficult to create within the classroom environment. Often instructors skip assigning a full ceremonial speech because of this. This activity is designed to provide students with an opportunity to practice some of the basic elements of ceremonial speaking, such as writing a thesis statement, providing supporting materials, and using magnification. Students are paired together, interview each other, and then present original award speeches to each other, thus …

A Rationale For Incorporating Dystopian Literature Into Introductory Speaking Courses, James P. Dimock, Chad Kuyper, Peggy Dimock

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Since Aristotle, teachers of public speaking have argued that an understanding of the audience’s beliefs, values, and assumptions about the world are the key to effective, persuasive speaking. All too often, however, public speaking courses either avoid audience analysis or focus on superficial details of the audience demographics. This paper makes the argument that by reading and discussing novels, students can develop an appreciation of their classmates as audience members and that dystopian fiction is especially well-suited to developing speech ideas that connect public speaking with the world outside the classroom. Teaching suggestions and lesson plans are included.

Extraordinary Everyday Stories: Audio Resources For The Communication Instructor, David E. Engen

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Communication instructors often supplement course texts with artistic works such as feature films, short stories, and memoirs. A less common form of supplementary material is the audio documentary/story. The discussion below introduces several audio resources likely to help students deepen their understanding of communication in general and interpersonal and intercultural communication in particular. I also offer a few ideas to those instructors wishing to help students create their own small-scale audio productions.

Are You "Wanted" For Poor Listening Habits?, Nanette Johnson-Curiskis

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

In order to begin a semester or unit on effective listening with some basic theory and knowledge and to serve as an icebreaker, students are asked to design and share a “Wanted Poster” describing their poor listening habits. The significance of this assignment was guided by the ubiquitous nature of listening. Research verifies listening as the most utilized form of communication.