Letters of recommendation too often do not tell recipients what they need to know about a candidate. The letters may address irrelevant qualities of the candidate or they may discuss only vague generalities. Faced with this problem, many employers prefer telephone interviews; however, people in higher education continue to rely on letters of…

The article offers suggestions that teachers can use to help redirect angry parents to more productive paths. Suggestions stress the importance of listening to engender trust and defuse anger and clarifying the central sources of parental anger. (CL)

Outlines the expectations of news reporters and school administrators for news coverage of schools and public education. States that conflicts between the two groups can be alleviated through greater understanding and communication. (WD)

Suggestions of writers such as A. Holland and M. Lahey and L. Bloom are examined regarding their appropriateness for visual-manual communication and are applied to approximately 50 signs most frequently taught to retarded and autistic persons to aid in lexicon planning. Additional signs are proposed for extending this basic list. (Author/DLS)

Details writing problems technical students encounter when they fail to distinguish between model and example and between different kinds of models. Analyzes these problems with reference to inappropriate material in texts. Defines several writing models, and shows how understanding these models gives writers rhetorical flexibility while producing…

Nonverbal communication is critical to the success of the communication process. Examines nonverbal techniques for enhancing communication: appearance, voice, body movement and posture, gestures, facial expressions, touch, and space. (LMI)

This guide addresses issues facing the parents, teachers and caregivers of children who are unable to use normal speech as a means of communication. It focuses on people who are intellectually disabled or children who are starting to use augmentative communication. The guide includes the following topics: the nature of communication; an overview…

Noting that stagefright has been the subject of intensive analysis and subjected to almost every conceivable test or measurement without revealing either its "cause" or its "cure," this paper presents vocal exercises to help combat the performance malady. After listing four principles concerning the nature of stagefright (it is…

The increased responsibilities of administrators provided under Public Law 94-142 for meeting the educational needs of the handicapped are summarized. Common sources of conflict between administrators and parents of handicapped students and potential communication blocks between parents and administrators are noted, followed by suggestions for…

This book describes work that has been done with verbally impaired individuals (autism, brain surgery, Down's Syndrome) who are unable to use language to convey even the simplest idea. The book points out that such people are not necessarily strangers to language, they just have not found a way to express themselves. The work discussed in the book…

Suggests some specific things to consider when preparing print, interactive electronic, or visual materials for clients outside of North America. (SR)

This paper tells the story of a pedagogy conference keynote event that is both specific and individual as well as emblematic of the difficulties that individuals face as academics and teachers. The paper explores the problematic relationship between power and responsibility, between privilege and accountability--issues that teachers are always…

This paper presents an overview of the literature concerning discipline in the classroom, focusing specifically on the root causes of discipline problems and the development of problem-specific responses. A bibliography and suggestions for further reading are also included. (DS)

This brief guide for kindergarten teachers shows how teachers and teacher aides can work as a team. Guidelines for selecting new aides and getting acquainted with an experienced aide are provided. A teacher's responsibilities to the teacher aide are listed. An aide's responsibilities, including instruction, management, housekeeping, and clerical,…

Develops the notion of "layers" of information within a table and discusses how such layers are typographically distinguished on paper and in a viewdata system. Presents a case study of the difficulties facing a British government department wishing to communicate regularly updated tabular information to the agricultural community. (FL)