Other Communication Commons^™

Will The Dazzling Promise Blind Us? Using Technology In The Beginning Public Speaking Course, Mary Mino

Basic Communication Course Annual

Because proponents of technology promise that by using electronic media, such as computer and video technologies, students' communication skills will improve, many public speaking instructors are using or considering using various types of technology. However, the effectiveness of various technologies as vehicles for delivering communication skill instruction have yet to be examined extensively. Therefore, communication educators need to assess the value of technology as compared to conventional delivery systems and consider the challenges before incorporating technology into the beginning public speaking course. This essay presents an overview of some of the uses of technology in the public speaking course, describes …

Communication Apprehension, Self-Efficacy, And Grades In The Basic Course: Correlations And Implications, Karen Kangas Dwyer, Dennis A. Fus

Basic Communication Course Annual

This article presents a study examining the relationship among communication apprehension (CA), self-efficacy (S-E), and grades in the basic communication course. Data were gathered from 208 undergraduate students enrolled in a public speaking course that fulfills a university-wide core curriculum requirement. Respondents completed MCroskey's (1982) Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24), the Self-Efficacy in the Class scale (SECL) adapted from Pintrich and DeGroot's (1990) Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, and two researcher-designed questions regarding S-E for college (SECOL). Results indicated that although trait and context CA are significantly correlated with final grades. In fact, multiple-regression showed that S-E contributed significant …

Branching Out To Meet The Needs Of Our Students: A Model For Oral Communication Assessment And Curriculum Programs, Patricia A. Cutspec, Kevin M. Mcpherson, Julie H. Spiro

Basic Communication Course Annual

Two of the multiple primary tasks facing post-secondary institutions across the country are revisiting and revitalizing general education or core programs and developing appropriate techniques for assessing the value of these programs. Following years of development and refinement, Western Carolina University has created an oral communication general education program that not only meets the needs of individual students, but also encouraged consistency across the curriculum emphasizing and assessing the skills learned in the basic course. We have answered the call for revisitation and reform regarding the best pedagogical and epistemological strategies for developing competent communicators, and our results have been …

Analyzing C-Span In The Basic Communication Course, Jim Schnell

Basic Communication Course Annual

Use of C-SPAN in the basic communication course as data for analysis is described. Specific focus is on Persian Gulf War presentations made August 2, 1990 - January 16, 1991 by President George Bush. Analysis of these presentations exemplifies how similar analysis can be done of other public speakers. An explanation of how to procure C-SPAN videotapes is provided.

Commentary: An Idea For Restructuring The Basic Communication Course: A "Time When Needed" Modular Approach, Donald D. Yoder

Basic Communication Course Annual

This commentary suggests a different way of structuring the basic communication course. Instead of trying to teach a variety of communication course, this commentary develops a modular approach to the basic course to be taught in smaller units and at times in a student's studies when the communication skills in the specific units are more relevant. A tentative schedule for the units is suggested.

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Basic Communication Course Annual

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Basic Communication Course Annual

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Basic Communication Course Annual Vol. 11

Basic Communication Course Annual

Full issue (192 pages, 7.056 MB)

Communication Of Social Support In Computer-Mediated Groups For People With Disabilities, Dawn O. Braithwaite, Vincent R. Waldron, Jerry Finn

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This study documented the types and extent of social support messages exchanged by persons with disabilities who participated in a computer-based support group. A modified version of Cutrona and Suhr’s (1992) social support category system was used to code 1,472 support messages. The largest percentage of these messages offered emotional and informational support, whereas network support and tangible assistance were least frequently offered. It appeared that many of the support messages directly redressed limitations and challenges associated with disability-related mobility, socialization, and self-care. Results are discussed in terms of the generalizability of existing category systems for coding support to this …

Protecting Communication Departments: Reflections On The Nebraska Experience, Ronald Lee, William J. Seiler

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

Eight years ago, in the first week of the 1991 fall semester, the Acting Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs announced a series of vertical budget cuts that included the elimination of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s department of Speech Communication (now Communication Studies). Over the next seven months the department fought against the proposed action. In March 1992, the Budget Reduction Review Committee voted against the Vice Chancellor’s recommendation. Later in the month, the Academic Planning Committee also voted to rescind the budget cutting measure.

These actions ended the battle and assured the continuation of the department. In an earlier …