Digital Commons Network^™

Future-Ready Teaching: Embracing Ai In Basic Communication Courses, Dious Joseph

Basic Communication Course Annual

In a time when technology is being quickly incorporated into everyday life, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken on a significant role in education (Ocaña-Fernández et al., 2019). AI's ability to revolutionize society holds great promise for redefining human-machine communication (HMC) in the context of education (Edwards & Edwards, 2017). In basic communication courses, where foundational skills are taught and enhanced, AI introduces challenges and opportunities that warrant reexamining present teaching approaches. The present document envisions the significance of integrating artificial intelligence across educational platforms, including Blackboard and Canvas, by embedding AI technologies directly into these systems. This approach contrasts with …

Call For Editor: Volumes 36-38

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

Exploring Introductory Communication Course Administrators' Relationship Management During Covid-19, Ashley N. Aragón, Drew T. Ashby-King

Basic Communication Course Annual

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changed the context of higher education during the Spring 2020 semester. As the virus began to spread across the United States, colleges and universities canceled in-person classes and activities, closed campus, and moved all operations online. Within the communication discipline, introductory communication course (ICC) administrators and instructors were not only dealing with these challenges, but they were also navigating the transition of large multi-section, often standardized, courses online at large institutions. This research project used semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 18 ICC administrators from institutions located in 14 states across the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, Southeastern, and West Coast …

Integrating University Value Messages Into The Basic Communication Course: Implications For Student Recall And Adjustment To College, Kristen L. Farris, Michael Burns

Basic Communication Course Annual

This study investigated the effects of integrating a university’s core value messages into the curriculum of a basic communication course on student recall of the messages, adjustment to college, and learning. A quasi-experimental design was used to examine differences between students (n = 302) assigned to one of three conditions: control group, message-only group, and message and experience group. The message and experience group learned about the university’s core value messages as part of their course curriculum, engaged in an out-of-class experience focused on these value messages, and completed a group problem-solving project related to these messages. The message only …

Mobile Technology Usage In The College Classroom And Its Relational Implications, Joe C. Martin

Basic Communication Course Annual

This study examines the relational implications of the presence of mobile technology within the basic communication course. To investigate this phenomenon a survey design was employed, and participants were asked to respond to open-ended, closed-ended, and descriptive questions. Results of this study shed light upon how and when university students use technology, as well as the positive and detrimental results such usage has upon the development and quality of their relationships in the classroom, both with instructors and other students.

Looking Forward To Meet Needs: A Response To Edwards; Frey, Tatum, And Cooper; And Prentiss, Jon A. Hess

Basic Communication Course Annual

The essays you have just read offer valuable insights into the matter of matching communication knowledge and skills with employer needs. This topic is one of the more important issues facing the academy at present. Higher education in America is currently undergoing seismic shifts (Bok, 2013; Crow & Dabars, 2015). The model of higher education we have been developing since the late 1800s has served us well for over a century. But that model was developed to transition higher education from developing teachers and clergy to supporting broader societal needs of the Industrial Age (Davidson, 2017). With a very different …

Our Basic Course And Communication Skills Training: The Time For Innovation Is Now (Yes, Even In A Pandemic), Suzy Prentiss

Basic Communication Course Annual

Our basic communication courses have always been important for our students. COVID-19 presents us with many challenges as well as opportunities for innovation and reflection. We can now heed the call offered by Joyce et al. in 2019 to match the skills most in demand with those we teach and infuse intentionality and value throughout our courses. As we pivot to online education and digital communication, how can we craft the basic course to provide effective communication skills training in engaging, empowering and impactful ways?

Using The Basic Course To Prepare Digital Natives For New Role As Reverse Mentors, T. Kody Frey, Nicholas T. Tatum, Troy B. Cooper

Basic Communication Course Annual

When Millennials began to enter the workforce in the mid-2000s, employers struggled to engage this indecisive group (i.e., job-hoppers). At the same time, they also battled the threat of a labor shortage due to the impending retirement of an aging baby-boomer workforce (Chaudhuri & Ghosh, 2012). Organizations began to combat both issues by embracing intergenerational learning programs focused on the strengths of each group (Gerpott et al., 2017; Greengard, 2002). One strategy that has proved valuable in popular press and among companies, although fairly absent from academic literature (Kaše et al., 2019; McCann, 2017), is reverse mentoring.

From Ted Talks To Tiktok: Teaching Digital Communication To Match Student Skills With Employer Desires, Ashley A. Hanna Edwards

Basic Communication Course Annual

Digital communication provides an important opportunity for the basic communication course (BCC) to match student skills to employer desires and enhance our curriculum in ways that match our essential competencies. This essay argues that digital communication can be public speaking and incorporating it into the BCC will enhance our ability to meet our core competencies and equip students with the skills employers seek. This recommendation is timely and critical due to the cultural shift of the COVID-19 pandemic and an increased community focus on the merits and costs of digital communication. Incorporating digital communication is essential to the continued relevance …

Vocal Fillers, Contagion Effects, And, Um, Overlooked Pedagogical Opportunities In The, Uh, Public Speaking Classroom, W. Benjamin Myers, Theresa A. Wadkins

Basic Communication Course Annual

The current study explores the relationship between social contagion and vocal fillers. An experiment was conducted in which 100 students presented speeches. Prior to presenting their speech, half of the students were exposed to a speech with excessive vocal fillers and half were exposed to a speech with no vocal fillers. Students who heard a speech with excessive vocal fillers used more vocal fillers in their own speech. Students were unaware of this transmission, which further demonstrates the example of social contagion. Social contagion highlights the presence of linguistic communities in public speaking classrooms. The study then provides a review …

Teacher Immediacy Behaviors And Students’ Public Speaking Anxiety: More And Less Helpful Than Anticipated, Beau Foutz, Michelle Violanti, Stephanie Kelly, Suzanne Marie Prentiss

Basic Communication Course Annual

Public speaking anxiety inhibits students in the basic course classroom, whether face-to-face, hybrid or online, and beyond. Equipping instructors with the tools necessary to empower students to manage that anxiety and excel in their basic communication course is a goal of scholars and practitioners. In this study, the researchers examine applying and testing a math anxiety model (i.e., Kelly at al., 2015) to the challenge of public speaking anxiety. We expanded the original model by examining instructor verbal immediate behaviors alongside their nonverbal immediate behaviors. We also tested the Instructional Beliefs Model (IBM; Weber et al., 2011), which indicates that …

Regulatory Fit Explains Students’ Emotional Responses To Graded Speech Assignments, Chris R. Sawyer, Delwin E. Richey, Karley A. Goen

Basic Communication Course Annual

Students’ emotional responses often provide valuable indicators of whether they are languishing or flourishing in their first-year classes, including introductory communication courses. Grading often exerts a strong influence on students’ emotions. However, though students generally have positive moods after receiving high marks and negative ones when their grades are low, the intensity of these responses varies considerably. The current study examines whether Higgins’ (2012) regulatory fit theory accounts for students’ differing moods after receiving grades on introductory speech assignments. According to this perspective, prevention focus students use vigilance to avoid adverse outcomes. Thus, low evaluations provide a regulatory fit for …

Student Perceptions Of Value: A Qualitative Study Of Student Experiences In The Communication Center, Briana M. Stewart, Andie Malterud, Heidi Y. Lawrence, Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post

Basic Communication Course Annual

The goal of this study was to understand student experiences in and perceptions of a new communication center. Researchers conducted 22 semi-structured qualitative interviews with students who visited the communication center and conducted a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Overall, the findings suggest that students had positive experiences and indicated some areas for future development. The primary value of communication center lies in the knowledge and perceived credibility of the coaches. The communication center also serves as a unique site for addressing communication apprehension and helping students transfer communication skills to other contexts. To continue to develop, additional resources …

The Neutrality Myth: Integrating Critical Media Literacy Into The Introductory Communication Course, Meggie Mapes, Lindsey Kraus, Elnaz Parviz, Joshua Morgan

Basic Communication Course Annual

Our current cultural moment requires reflective urgency. COVID-19 has forced a collective pedagogical confrontation with new media’s materiality, and how such materiality intersects with, for example, the public speaking traditions within introductory communication courses. While COVID-19 has spotlighted online-only educational conversations, our disciplinary need to refocus new media introductory course curricular practices pre-dates the pandemic. This essay extends Rhonda Hammer’s (2009) critical media literacy framework into the introductory course, a practice whereby students are empowered to “read, critique, and produce media” rather than be passive consumers. We explore critical media literacy as pedagogically fruitful in identifying and resisting dominant ideologies …

Advocacy, Mentorship, And Collaboration: Working With Assistant Directors To Enhance And Sustain The Introductory Course, Aubrey A. Huber

Basic Communication Course Annual

This essay responds to the Basic Course Forum question about best practices for recruiting to and/or from the basic course.

Recruiting And Nurturing A Pipeline Of Future Basic Course Directors, Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post, Cheri J. Simonds

Basic Communication Course Annual

This essay responds to the Basic Course Forum question about best practices for recruiting to and/or from the basic course.

Facilitating Students’ Motivation In The Basic Communication Course: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective, Jessalyn I. Vallade, Renee Kaufmann, T. Kody Frey

Basic Communication Course Annual

Given that students may not find inherent value in their general education courses, and in particular, the basic communication course (BCC), the current study was aimed at exploring the instructor behaviors that students identify as enhancing their motivation within this context. Specifically, the purpose of the current study was to qualitatively explore instructor behaviors and student motivation in the BCC, specifically through the lens of self-determination theory. Open-ended responses from students currently enrolled in a basic communication course resulted in 28 themes, which were organized by student needs of relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Relatedness themes were most frequently reported, with …

Can Course Format Drive Learning? Face-To-Face And Lecture-Lab Models Of The Fundamentals Of Communication Course, Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post, Andie Malterud, Anthony Arciero, Katherine E. Hyatt Hawkins

Basic Communication Course Annual

Combining traditional classroom instruction and online instruction, or hybrid/blended learning, has emerged as a popular option to mitigate rising enrollments and non-traditional student needs while maintaining the known advantages to the face-to-face learning format. We evaluated the effectiveness of a Fundamentals of Communication course (also known as the “hybrid” course) taught in the traditional face-to-face format and in the hybrid/blended learning format, which included the equivalent of one credit taught face-to-face and two credits taught online (graded together as one course).

Students in the blended format had stronger performances in two areas of their speeches (introduction and overall impression), had …

Editor's Page, Joseph P. Mazer

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

Anxiety And Communication Competence In The Honors Basic Public Speaking Course: An Intervention And Formative Assessment, Joshua N. Westwick, Karla M. Hunter, Barbara A. Kleinjan

Basic Communication Course Annual

This case study examines the effectiveness of a formative assessment intervention in an honors section of a basic public speaking course. Previous research has found significantly higher levels of public speaking anxiety among honors students than among non-honors students and has therefore identified these students as a population at risk for high public speaking anxiety (PSA). As a result, this analysis tested a one-hour tutoring session designed not only to aid students in maximizing learning outcomes for the first speech of the course, but, subsequently, to enhance markers of student development through reduced PSA and increased self-perceived communication competence (SPCC). …

Examining Students’ Learning And Preparation In A Basic Communication Course, Stevie M. Munz, Janet Colvin

Basic Communication Course Annual

Prior to beginning a basic communication course, students enter with learning expectations and motivations to transfer knowledge outside the classroom. The present study examined 373 qualitative pre and post-test responses from students enrolled in a basic communication course to assess their self-defined learning and speaking preparation expectations. Through our findings, we learn that students articulate their goals in relationship to communication skills (e.g., reduce anxiety, verbal/non-verbal, audience analysis, personal goals, and confidence) and preparation (e.g., writing, outlining, presenting, and past experiences). These findings are explored in greater detail and extend our understanding of students’ goals and expectations when they enter …

Growth Mindset: Associations With Apprehension, Self-Perceived Competence, And Beliefs About Public Speaking, Craig O. Stewart, John R. Mcconnell Iii, Lori A. Stallings, Rod D. Roscoe

Basic Communication Course Annual

The relationships among growth mindset for public speaking (i.e., the implicit theory that public speaking abilities can be developed and improved) and beliefs about the nature of public speaking, public speaking apprehension (PSA), and self-perceived public speaking competence (SPPSC) were investigated in intensive and traditional formats of a general education public speaking course. In general, growth mindset was associated with lower PSA, higher SPPSC, and more sophisticated beliefs about public speaking. Mindset remained somewhat stable, PSA significantly decreased, and SPPSC significantly increased from the beginning to the end of the course. More sophisticated beliefs about public speaking as an expressive, …

Call For Editor

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

Making The Case For The Basic Communication Course In General Education, Kristina Ruiz-Mesa, Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post

Basic Communication Course Annual

Authors were asked to prepare an essay as if they were writing a letter to their dean (whose academic training was in another discipline) who (1) asked that enrollment in each basic course section be increased to a level that compromises the pedagogy of the basic course or (2) proposed that the required basic communication course be eliminated from the university’s general education program.

In this essay, the authors discuss the academic, career, and social benefits stemming from strong effective communication skills.

Communication Apprehension: Understanding Communication Skills And Cultural Identity In The Basic Communication Course, Stevie M. Munz, Janet Colvin

Basic Communication Course Annual

Students enrolled in a basic communication course are required to self-examine their communication apprehension by means of the PRPSA (McCroskey 1970). The present study qualitatively examined pretest and posttest responses from 793 students enrolled in a basic communication course to assess their understanding of their communication apprehension. Our findings reveal that students articulate their communication apprehension in relationship to their public speaking skills (e.g., writing/outlining, audience analysis, and argumentation skills) and cultural identity (e.g., ESL, peer relationship, and religious identity). Our findings contribute to previous understanding of communication apprehension and are discussed in great detail alongside implications and future directions.

Engaging Students In The Basic Course By Asking Big Questions, Bryan Abendschein, Grace Giorgio, Adam D. Roth, Jennifer Bender

Basic Communication Course Annual

This paper advocates for the inclusion of big questions into the basic course curriculum. It begins by exploring the nature of big questions as those that engage pressing and perennial civic and global issues, and details their effectiveness in encouraging students and faculty to think about interpersonal responsibility and social space as dynamically interfacing and mutually reflexive, thus challenging us to negotiate the civic call of engaging in democratic processes. The basic course, whether public speaking or hybrid, offers a crucial opportunity for big questions to emerge because it brings people together to critically question and produce messages about the …

Teaching Talk: An Exploration Of The Content And Implementation Of The Common Core State Standards, Anna Wright, Brian Rohman, Dakota Horn, Barbara Meyer, Cheri J. Simonds

Basic Communication Course Annual

The implementation of the Common Core State Standards has brought about a renewed inspiration for exploring the role of communication in K-12 schools as they include a speaking and listening strand. Communication education in K-12 schools had been sparsely researched; however, a handful of scholars have made calls to increase the research and advocacy done in this arena. There is a need to understand the K-12 context as a means to inform practices at the college level. This study breaks down the speaking and listening strand of the standards to create a better understanding of the content addressed and applies …

Adapting The Basic Communication Course For A Globally And Technologically Mediated 21st-Century Context, Michael G. Strawser, Janet K. Mccormick

Basic Communication Course Annual

The global marketplace is ripe for a reiteration (or a reminder) of the characteristics of an effective international communicator. Thankfully, the basic course, the “front porch” of the communication discipline (Beebe, 2013), may serve as a catalyst for pinpointed transcultural communication skills training. As communication knowledge and skills training increases in domestic and global importance (Morreale, Myers, Backlund, & Simonds, 2016), it is imperative that the basic communication course adapts to meet the demands of an international job market for communication practitioners. As such, this forum piece will address desirable international professional communication behavior and position a revised basic course …

Basic Communication Course Students’ Perceptions Of The Purpose And Their Role In The Peer Feedback Process, Angela M. Hosek, Stevie Munz, Keith C. Bistodeau, Zamzam Jama, Andrew Frisbie, Sonia Rains Ivancic

Basic Communication Course Annual

Students enrolled in the basic communication course often engage in peer feedback workshops to enhance presentational speaking competence. As such, peer feedback workshops in the basic communication course provide an opportunity for students to provide and receive feedback on speech form, structure, and delivery (Broeckelman-Post & Hosek, 2014). The present study qualitatively examined data from 110 students enrolled in a basic communication course to determine their perceptions of the peer feedback process and what role(s), if any, they believed they had in the peer feedback process. Our thematic analysis revealed that students’ perceive peer feedback as a form of agency, …

Basic Communication Course Annual Vol. 28

Basic Communication Course Annual

Full issue (222 pages, 8.5 MB)