Social networking via texting, Facebook, Twitter, and similar media is enormously popular with students, though it often leads to communication challenges along gender lines. Research supports the fact that men and women have divergent expectations for social networking and use it differently. Students can benefit from classroom experiences that…

The authors investigate the importance of instructor communication behaviors in a course on business communication, arguing that alignment between instructor behaviors and the precepts of the discipline has a pronounced effect on perceived instructor credibility in this field. Student evaluations were analyzed qualitatively for their comments on…

Focusing on preparation, practice, and performance review to teach teams about teamwork provides a well-supported and effective methodology that both enhances students' collaborative skills and contributes to an effective team project experience. Preparation includes aspects of coaching to introduce and explain effective group processes. After…

This article describes how a collaborative class strategy and an introductory activity were used to develop students' thinking about business and management communication. The article focuses on teachers who want to integrate critical perspectives about business communication into their classes. A course ethos, learning groups, and an introductory…

The art of negotiation is understood by few people or regularly utilized, and yet most people negotiate several times a day. Each time a person buys a product or service, an internal as well as external negotiation occurs. People barter professionally, personally, and psychologically with little or no thought of improving this much-needed skill.…

The topic of selection interviewing lends itself well to experience-based teaching methods. Instructors often teach this topic by using a two-step process. The first step consists of lecturing students on the basic principles of effective interviewing. During the second step, students apply these principles by role-playing mock interviews with…

Focuses on electronic mail topics relevant to business communication. Argues that students need training in understanding electronic organizational hierarchy and electronic communication volume and costs; selecting the appropriate media; and evaluating message permanence, security, ownership, and privacy. Appends 11 exercises. (SR)

Presents an experiential exercise that engages students in a quality audit and applies focus group techniques. (SR)

Interview skills is critical to a job seeker's success in obtaining employment. However, learning interview skills takes time. This article offers an activity for providing students with interview practice while sacrificing only a single classroom period. The authors begin by reviewing relevant literature. Then, they outline the process of…

Presents a case study for use in business communication classes regarding the ethics of resumes and recommendations. Presents the case itself as well as discussion questions and assignments. (SR)

The millennial generation embraces new technologies as a natural way of accessing and exchanging information, staying connected, and having fun. YouTube, a video-sharing site that allows users to upload, view, and share video clips, is among the latest "cool" technologies for enjoying quick laughs, employing a wide variety of corporate activities,…

Describes a unit for an international business communication course that focuses on the international business meal as a way to learn important social and cultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes. (SR)

Presents a case study for a business communication class to help instructors in stimulating class discussions dealing with ethical issues in an international environment, particularly the paying of bribes. (SR)

Applies results from field and laboratory studies about business usage of electronic meeting systems (EMS) to the classroom setting. Argues that it transforms the classroom from a traditional instructor-centered environment to a student-centered environment in which students participate, participate more equally, and report a highly satisfying…

Instructors of business and technical communication have held an ongoing interest in using client projects to give students practical experience negotiating the contingencies of workplace communication. Whereas alumni often serve as contacts for internships and job opportunities and have been identified as resources for assessing business…