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Front Cover

Basic Communication Course Annual

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Title Page

Basic Communication Course Annual

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Editorial Board

Basic Communication Course Annual

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Contents

Basic Communication Course Annual

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Gerald M. Phillips' Devotion To Basic Communication Skills, Julia T. Wood

Basic Communication Course Annual

The passing of Gerald M. Phillips in April 1995 left a void only partially filled by his students and communication scholars familiar with his work. His commitment to basic communication instruction spanned a lifetime of research and service (including Jerry's serving on the editorial board of the Annual over the last two years.)

Julia Wood, long-time colleague, co-author, student and friend, remembers Jerry for his substantial contributions to basic communication instruction and the speech communication field.

The Basic Course In Organizational Communication: A National Survey, Donald Treadwell, Ronald L. Applbaum

Basic Communication Course Annual

This article presents a study describing the current status and characteristics of the basic organizational communication course reported by 285 college or university departments offering this course in North America. This survey is compared with surveys conducted in 1979 and 1988. The results indicate that the course is most typically taught by one faculty member in lecture/discussion format and emphasizes organizational and communication theory over skills. Students are most typically upper-level undergraduates. The course appears to be facing increasing demand. Changes are occurring in the content and structure of the course with the topics of gender differences, organizational culture, communication …

Ta Training Beyond The First Week: A Leadership Perspective, Glen Williams

Basic Communication Course Annual

Leadership studies combined with the insights of basic course directors suggest a framework for effectively directing the basic course that may benefit novice directors as well as provide insights for veteran directors of the basic course.

This article illuminates the centrality of effective leadership, noting that it will assist ongoing efforts to train and develop inexperienced staff while simultaneously encouraging and incorporating the insights of seasoned instructors. The suggested framework also ensures consistency across sections and the overall integrity of the course.

Context Vs. Process: Revising The Structure Of The Basic Course, Donald D. Yoder, Samuel P. Wallace

Basic Communication Course Annual

The current structure of most basic courses can be traced to the traditional context-based approach to studying communication. However, there seems to be no agreement on what specific contexts should be covered. Students often become confused with context specific jargon and may have difficulty transferring skills and knowledge across contexts. A different approach is to focus on transactional communication skills, principles, and processes that transcend contextual definitions. Such an approach focuses on similarities rather than differences among contexts and may lead to an integrative, rather than devisive, approach to communication study. Rather than learning specific skills for distinct contexts, students …

Creating And Teaching Special Sections Of A Public Speaking Course For Apprehensive Students: A Multi-Case Study, Karen Kangas Dwyer

Basic Communication Course Annual

This study explored how university professors describe the development and operation of a special communication apprehension (CA) section of a basic public speaking course that is part of a core curriculum requirement. The professors interviewed pointed out the need for more media for instructors and students. They described their efforts in detail and said the CA sections were time consuming, yet rewarding for both faculty and students. Several questions for future research include: Where there is a core curriculum requirement for a public speaking course, what is being done to help the students with high CA? If many of the …

Predictors Of Behavioral Competence And Self-Esteem: A Study Assessing Impact In A Basic Public Speaking Course, Sherwyn P. Morreale, Michael Z. Hackman, Michael R. Neer

Basic Communication Course Annual

As evaluation in higher education receives increasing attention, the assessment of the impact of basic oral communication instruction is becoming more important. This study examines the impact of a public speaking course on undergraduates' affective and behavioral competence. Using a pre- and posttest model, assessment was based on administration of the Communication Competency Assessment Instrument and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale at the beginning and end of the course. Communication competence and self-esteem were measured as a function of communication apprehension, gender, age, and ethnicity. Results indicated that the course generally impacted similarly on students regardless of their level of communication …

Author Identification

Basic Communication Course Annual

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Basic Communication Course Annual Vol. 7

Basic Communication Course Annual

Full Issue (168 pages, 2.147 MB)

Call For Papers And Editorial Philosophy

Basic Communication Course Annual

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Computer-Mediated Communication In The Basic Communication Course, Gerald M. Santoro, Gerald M. Phillips

Basic Communication Course Annual

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) for instructional support is being explored at a number of colleges and universities. In this paper the authors describe their successful application of CMC to the basic communication course and the lessons they learned for successful implementation of instructional CMC.

The Basic Course In Communication Theory: A Shift In Emphasis, Warren Sandmann

Basic Communication Course Annual

This essay calls for a change in how the introductory communication theory course is taught. Standard models and texts are examined, described and critiqued. The standard model of communication theory depicts theory as a body of knowledge to be studied and applied to specific situations. This one dominant paradigm of communication theory constrains other possible approaches to understanding and teaching communication theory. The remainder of the essay offers a rationale for a shift in the teaching of communication theory, and directions for preliminary changes in the teaching of communication theory.

The Incorporation Of Mentors And Assistant Basic Course Directors (Abcds) Into The Basic Course Program: Creating A Safety Net For New Teaching Assistants, Nancy L. Buerkel-Rothfuss, Donn S. Fink, Charlotte A. Amaro

Basic Communication Course Annual

TAs face many demands and expectations in their oftenconflicting roles. As a result, many TAs burn out not from lack of ability but from a lack of personal support. Some of the stress associated with the TA position may be reduced through the use of experienced peers who serve as mentors and by reliance upon assistant basic course directors (ABCDs). This paper describes a program designed to incorporate such peer support into a basic course program staffed by TAs.

Title Page

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

Editorial Board

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

Editor's Page, Craig Newburger

Basic Communication Course Annual

Editor reflects on journal's first six years and acknowledges the service and commitment of past editors.

Contents

Basic Communication Course Annual

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Using Interactive Video Instruction To Enhance Public Speaking Instruction, Michael W. Cronin, William R. Kennan

Basic Communication Course Annual

This article discusses the nature of interactive video instruction (IVI) and the potential benefits of IVI applications in supplementing instruction in the basic communication course. It describes the IVI programs in oral communication that are currently available, the equipment required to institute IVI, and details possible applications of IVI for instructors, students, and educational institutions.

Interactive Video Instruction For Teaching Organizational Techniques In Public Speaking, Michael W. Cronin

Basic Communication Course Annual

This article describes two interactive videodisc instructional programs for teaching organizational techniques in public speaking and reports the assessment of these programs. Formative evaluations indicate that students enjoyed the level III interactive video instruction (IVI). One-way analyses of variance indicated that students receiving IVI in "Constructing Speaking Outlines" (study 1) or "Developing Key Ideas" (study 2) achieved significantly higher recall/application test scores than did students in the control group in the respective study. Implications for the use of these IVI programs in supplementing traditional public speaking instruction are discussed.

Writing As A Tool For Teaching Public Speaking: A Campus Application, Karla Kay Jensen, Pat Mcqueeney

Basic Communication Course Annual

All basic communication courses seek to improve students' oral communication skills while also deepening their understanding of the theoretical principles and processes underlying effective communication. Writing, whether in the form of formal assignments or informal in-class activities, can help achieve these goals. This paper offers rationales and approaches for incorporating writing throughout basic courses, and illustrates how formal and informal strategies promote an oral/written relationship in these courses. Included are numerous examples of assignments for basic public speaking courses.

Literacy Enhancement And Writing Across The Curriculum: A Motivational Addendum, L. Brooks Hill, Sandra L. Ragan

Basic Communication Course Annual

This "thought piece" supplements the preceding article with complementary information drawn from a national literacy project underwritten by the Ford Foundation. This project attempted to persuade teachers in all disciplines to become more proficient in the use of written exercises and to encourage an expanded conception of literacy as an essential cornerstone of education. As a part of the writing-across-the curriculum (WAC) efforts, this extensive project helped to organize these efforts by identifying the obstacles to enhanced literacy, specifying innumerable techniques for use in diverse contexts, and motivating faculty to intensify their work on this dimension of any curriculum. This …

Obstacles To Overcome In The Implementation Of A Program To Reduce Communication Apprehension In The Basic Public Speaking Course, Bruce C. Mckinney, Stephen J. Pullum

Basic Communication Course Annual

The problem of communication apprehension (CA) is well documented in the speech communication literature and many schools have implemented programs to help students overcome CA, especially CA associated with public speaking. Often times this is done as part of the basic course. However, there are many obstacles to overcome in the implementation of such programs. This article analyzes six common obstacles associated with implementing a program to reduce CA in a special section of the basic communication course.

An Assessment Of Panel Vs. Individual Instructor Ratings Of Student Speeches, David E. Williams, Robert A. Stewart

Basic Communication Course Annual

This study addressed the possibility of utilizing a panel of instructors to evaluate student speeches. Forty-six public speaking students were videotaped during an informative speech assignment. Instructor panels evaluated each speech using the same criteria as the real instructor. This study found that trait error exists in panel grading as it does in individual instructor evaluation. Panel and individual instructor ratings were generally similar but inferior speeches were graded lower by the panel than the real instructor. This suggests that panels may be less likely to experience leniency error and may give more accurate evaluations of weaker speeches. Considerations are …

Ta Mentoring: Issues And Questions, Pamela L. Gray, Martin G. Murray

Basic Communication Course Annual

The widespread use of graduate teaching assistants (TAs) in higher education has generated a search for techniques to improve the quality of teaching of TAs as well as enhance the entire TA experience. One such technique is mentoring. This paper attempts to accomplish four things: (a) delineate issues to be addressed, (b) share feedback from educators with mentoring experience, (c) present questions to guide decision making, and (d) provide a bibliography of literature on mentoring. The information presented comes from a questionnaire administered to basic course directors, a conference discussion on mentoring and the personal experiences of the authors.

Meeting Certification Requirements For Teacher Certification Through The Basic Course, S. Clay Willmington, Kay E. Neal, Milda M. Steinbrecher

Basic Communication Course Annual

This article explains how one institution of higher education designed their basic course to include communication proficiency for teachers as an integral part of the course. Features of the course include the following standardized assessments: a 60-question multiple-choice exam to assess cognitive proficiency; a one-on-one interpersonal encounter to assess interpersonal proficiency; a speech to inform to assess public speaking proficiency; and the use of the Steinbrecher-Willmington Listening Test to assess listening.

Instructional Resource Innovations For The Introductory Communication Course, Craig Newburger

Basic Communication Course Annual

The following four articles represent the proceedings of an SCA Seminar held at the New Orleans convention: "Instructional Resource Innovations for the Introductory Communication Course." These monographs detail four multi-media resource areas that introductory communication course directors can consider: Storytelling — the student-as-medium (Pamela Cooper); Visualization — the student-as-medium (Joe Ayres and Debbie M. Ayres); Self-confrontation — applications involving the use of videotape with public speaking instruction (Craig Newburger, Linda Brannon, and Arlie Daniel); and Computer-Mediated-Communication (Gerald M. Santoro and Gerald M. Phillips).

Stories As Instructional Strategy: Teaching In Another Culture, Pamela Cooper

Basic Communication Course Annual

This article describes the use of story as an instructional strategy in a basic communication course taught at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.