Describes the focus group interview as a technique for data collection for researchers interested in a variety of educational issues. Describes and discusses a series of steps for implementing the focus group interview technique. (MG)

Notes that undergraduate research can provide transformative educational experiences and profoundly impact the teaching of communication. Discusses the benefits of undergraduate research experiences and the challenges of teaching research methods in communication. Presents a structure for incorporating a capstone undergraduate research experience…

Calls for carefully executed research that explores the impact of instructional practices on learning outcomes. Discusses considerations relevant to selecting the outcome measures (including types of outcomes, longitudinal effects, and "real world" impact). Urges caution in designing such research to ensure its internal validity and external…

Surveyed broadcast managers to identify (1) entry-level skills and long-term characteristics for employment in radio announcing, news, and sales careers; and (2) hiring considerations. Concludes that skill-based broadcast education is essential but that candidates must also be aware of personal characteristics necessary for long-term employment.…

Reviews published assessments of oral communication across the curriculum programs in higher education. Reports activities and results from a faculty and student development program at a midsized comprehensive state university. Suggests that this approach holds significant promise for curricular development and improvement of student communication…

Discusses how the development of communication curricula and content for basic communication courses represents a challenge for the field. Provides: an overview of the historical development of communication curricula as an integral dimension of higher education; recommendations of start points for developing departmental curricula; and resources…

Reports the results of a national survey of state teacher certification directors finding a lack of uniformity among states on standards and means of assessing communication competence. Recommends seven ways in which the Speech Communication Association can serve as advocate of oral communication competence in teacher education. (KEH)

Focuses attention on the potential of deliberation for citizenship training in the academy. Offers lessons learned from case studies of courses in communication and political science to demonstrate the degree to which problems faced with deliberation in the wider population manifest themselves in the classroom. Presents examples of how these…

Uses L. S. Shulman's three categories of content knowledge as a basis for conceptualizing and examining the knowledge needed by communication educators. Calls for the discipline knowledge produced by communication scholars to be translated into viable school experiences so that students obtain accurate conceptual understandings of communication.…

Suggests one way that the author would like to see communication educators build on the solid foundation of important communication education research successes. Concludes that contributions to this journal in the past have been much more systematic and thorough when focusing on the communication dimensions of teaching in general. Suggests that in…

Describes the development of the University of Washington's Center for Instructional Development and Research, highlighting the interface between communication and instruction. Provides examples of the application of communication concepts that influence daily operations, permeate instructional development activity, and provide a foundation for…

Reports the means, standard deviations, and relevant statistics on an examination of the readability of 24 contemporary textbooks that employ a hybrid approach to the basic speech communication course. Discusses some strategies for developing reading skills. (KEH)

Translates research findings regarding gender inequities in education into pragmatic strategies for change. Describes strategies for change which administrators, academic support services, and faculty may use to pursue the goal of enhancing gender sensitivity in communication education. (KEH)

Examines a traditional group discussion course redesigned to operate via computer-mediated communication. Finds more frequent student contact with instructors, high level of course approval by students, and group output that equaled or excelled that of traditionally taught courses. (MS)