Describes an exercise to help students prepare for emergencies that arise in public speaking situations. (PD)

Explains how the Random Access Telephone System (RATS) provides home-telephone linkage to tape-recorded materials for a basic communication course, thus increasing instructional contact time with students. (PD)

Describes a communication research course which includes instruction in the awareness of media distortions of behavioral science research. (PD)

Presents an annotated bibliography of ERIC resources on the following topics: teacher communication; research on classroom interaction; using systematic observations to improve teaching; different systems of classroom observations; and research on classroom observation techniques. (PD)

In 1979, the state of Massachusetts identified 11 listening and 14 speaking skills as part of a basic skills program in elementary/secondary schools. The authors were asked to recommend methods of assessing these skills. The article summarizes their decision process and includes the recommendations. (PD)

Reports on the development of an assessment instrument to test basic communication skills necessary for students' success in college. Covers the instrument's conceptual foundation, administration procedures, development, and analysis. (PD)

Describes a cooperative approach between teacher education and communication departments at Miami University, Ohio, to produce a field-based communication course for prospective teachers. Covers course content and organization. (PD)

Describes a speech assignment in which students describe a geometric figure well enough so that listeners can then draw the figure. Exercise is based on philosophy of teaching and learning in W. Timothy Gallwey's "The Inner Game of Tennis." (PD)

Suggestions on how instructors can improve the effectiveness of communication courses presented for business and industry. Emphasis is placed on the initial meeting with company officials, class preparation, and teaching style. (PD)

Presents an annotated bibliography of resources from the ERIC database on the relationships between speech communication (speaking and listening) and the language skills of reading and writing. (PD)

Identifies the additions, deletions, and changes in the reprinted versions of King's classic speech. (Serves both as a warning that published speeches cannot be depended upon to preserve the original text and as a source of reference for teachers using Dr. King.s speech in classroom study.) (PD)

Discusses the constructs of decentration and reading achievement; summarizes related research findings. Reports a study of the relationship between children's abilities to use decentered spoken language and reading achievement. Found significant correlations between egocentric spoken language and reading achievement scores for children in grades 2…

Reports the findings of a survey commissioned by the Speech Communication Association's Task Force on Assessment and Testing. Concludes that many states are including speaking and listening skills in curriculum and assessment programs but that much work still needs to be done to develop an integrated oral communication program. (PD)

Suggests that the verbal score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test is not an adequate criterion for assigning students to remedial communication instruction. Concludes that the communication skills deficit model demonstrates the capacity for consistent measurement of communication skills if evaluators are trained to use the same decision-making…

Discusses a recent conceptualization of argumentativeness. Reports on an investigation of characteristics of argumentative students, which included variables such as birth order, family size, high school training, college grade point average, etc. Supports the assumption that argumentativeness is a desirable communication trait and considers…