Argues that the National Issues Forum model, adapted to the speech communication classroom, can prepare students to develop a style of thinking and communication appropriate for a true participatory democracy. (PD)

Describes the use of undergraduate teaching assistants in a basic communication course in order to provide a workable method for large numbers of entering students to learn about communication in small laboratory settings. (PD)

Notes the increase in adult enrollment in continuing education courses and the growing need for communication expertise--factors that can generate enrollment for communication courses. (PD)

A survey about the current overenrollment in communication courses indicates that students are willing to accept some alterations in the structure, teaching mode, and format of communication courses, but they are not willing to sacrifice all the advantages a major in communication has traditionally represented. (PD)

Describes an interdisciplinary effort that combines instruction in fundamentals of speech communication and English composition. (PD)

Reviews surveys on the status of the basic speech communication course. Identifies issues and concerns about instructional approaches, staffing, textbooks, philosophy, etc. (PD)

Reviews arguments for and against student evaluation of faculty instruction. Discusses the following alternatives to rating scales: mail questionnaires, telephone interviews, observer evaluations, in-class discussions, weekly logs, and students' course descriptions. Offers guidelines for refining and implementing these alternatives. (PD)

Study of communication departments was conducted to determine the in-service training and teacher assignments of graduate teaching assistants. (PD)

Discusses steps college-level speech communication educators can take to improve the quality of education in the nation's elementary and secondary schools. (PD)

Addresses problems of sex bias in communication studies, specifically in teaching public speaking and rhetoric. Briefly surveys major anthologies of speeches published from 1896-1981, noting that only 52 speeches (or speech excerpts) by women appear in 45 volumes. (PD)

Reports on the progress of speech communication education in community colleges since the 1975 Association for Communication Administrators' Denver conference. (PD)

Surveyed student opinions of their skill development in two different basic speech courses: (1) a basic blend of communication theory through interpersonal, small group, and public communication and (2) a blend with public speaking emphasis. Found that the course with public speaking emphasis ranked higher on all improvement items. (PD)