Variations in group co-construction of knowledge and the extent to which participants engaged in negotiating meaning were directly related to instruction. The authors examined social interaction resulting from controlled variation in instruction using a counter-balanced design in two professional development courses for teachers. Both courses were…

Describes the application of audio as a vehicle of information. In applying audio to the audiovisual, computer-assisted instruction format, a consideration of the aspects of dominance and redundancy in auditory-visual presentation is required. Understanding acoustic and informational characteristics of audio and qualities of voice and speech may…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 10 titles deal with the following topics: (1) the development of an instrument to assess the communication needs of the community college; (2) the development of a kindergarten through twelfth grade interdisciplinary approach to…

Proceedings drawn from a conference on business communication, the 21 papers in this collection are grouped under the headings Corporate Tower Views, Bridging the Gap, and Ivory Tower Views to better reflect the joint concerns of professional communicators on the job as well as the concerns of those who teach business communication. Among the…

Recommending that communication students be required to learn to use computers not merely as number crunchers, word processors, data bases, and graphics generators, but also as logical inference makers, this paper examines the recently developed technology of logical programing in computer languages. It presents two syllogisms and shows how they…

Compares traditional and online formats in a public speaking course. Gives a description of the online format and notes factors related to selection format. Considers students' global evaluations of format and students' reports of their speaking apprehension. Concludes with an evaluation of public speaking skills. (SG)

Investigates effect of computer-aided instruction (CAI) on acquisition of communication skills. Sketches a tutorial of the basic communication structure. Recommends confining CAI to cognitive learning because CAI cannot advance communication skills. Maintains that integrating CAI in social arrangements will allow the computer to remain an…

This volume of an annual collection of essays relating to instruction in the basic communication course presents 1992 Speech Communication Association Basic Course Committee award winning papers, articles on teaching assistants in the basic course, approaches to teaching in the basic course, research on the basic course, and a commentary. Essays…

Reports student and faculty perceptions of two courses that included online instruction via WebCT. Discusses how initial student concerns changed to perceptions of how the technology was beneficial and increased community and collaboration among learners. Notes the importance of adequate planning time for faculty. (SR)

A study investigated communication patterns among undergraduate student groups using email for instructional discussion at the University of Minnesota. A sample of three 6-person groups was studied over a 7-week period, during which the groups were given three topics to discuss sequentially for instructional purposes. Students used email outside…

D. P. Thompson (1987) pointed out that the e-mail network can help students work collaboratively, solve problems, and experience writing as communication in the real situation. This study examined the impact of e-mail debate on intercultural sensitivity, writing apprehension, and computer anxiety. Fifty-four students in two sections of a…

A study compared Penn State University's computer-aided Reticence Program, for shy/reticent public speaking students, with two existing approaches: (1) oral interpretation and (2) the lectures, demonstrations, and coached rehearsals of more traditional reticence instruction. Thirty reticent students, including 9 males and 21 females, were placed…

Iowa's first-in-the-nation statewide fiber-optics telecommunications network is bringing both excitement and concern to educators. One application of the fiber-optics network is the offering of college courses through live, interactive television instruction. The teacher in the origination site classroom is linked with students in one or more…

Reports an investigation into pupil-talk in small groups during a computer simulation. The role of language as a communication and understanding aid is considered, along with the microcomputer's potential as a stimulus to and generator of discussion. The contents of participants' conversations, at and away from the microcomputer, are analyzed.…

This volume of an annual collection presents nine essays relating to instruction in the basic communication course. The essays are: "Three Metaphors for the Competencies Acquired in the Public Speaking Class" (Michael Osborn); "Perceptions of Basic Communication Texts: Factors in Student Learning and Textbook Adoption…