Results of this preliminary study of college students indicate that (1) the dropout pattern for high communication apprehensives is more severe than that for low communication apprehensives and (2) high communication apprehensives achieve lower grade point averages than do low communication apprehensives. (PD)

Generated a list of power strategies or behavior alteration techniques (BATs) that elementary and secondary teachers perceive as effective in managing student behavior. Investigated their use and found that teachers rely primarily on reward-type BATs and frequently use the student's "audience" to effect change. (PD)

A quantitative summary of 15 studies indicated that African-American/Latino students receive more negative feedback from teachers in the classroom than do Euro-American students. In addition, teachers interact less frequently with African-American/Latino students than Euro-American students. No difference based on race existed in the amount of…

A study in Australia is examining home and school computer-mediated communication (CMC) practices in low socio-economic communities. Using qualitative methods, the study aims to enhance the understanding of emerging communication practices associated with the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The research has already begun…

Compared with other media, computer-mediated communication (CMC) is a relatively new mode of communication that has emerged in the past two decades. In the past decade, there has been a growing body of research on CMC. There are two dominant models of CMC: the task-oriented and the social-emotion-oriented. This review discusses, compares, and…

This report summarizes a 3-year dialogue among educators, administrators, students, boards, committees, parents, and project researchers launched by the Friends Council on Education to study moral growth in Friends high schools. Steering committees were established in each of the 24 participating Quaker high schools across the country and surveys…

It has been widely acknowledged in language acquisition research that cultural learning is an inseparable part of language learning. However, insufficient attention has been paid to the culture of classroom learning which involves both teachers' and learners' cultural values, beliefs, roles, expectations, and conceptions of teaching and learning.…

Explores the relationship between early speaking and writing skills by investigating how children use referential ties (personal pronouns, demonstratives, and comparatives) to build coherence in their oral and written stories. Discusses findings and implications for developing children's communicative competency. (PD)

Among other findings, results of this study strongly indicate that (1) males and females differ in their communication behavior in initial interaction depending on whom they are talking to; and (2) a unique pattern of female interaction does exist which is different from interaction in dyads of other sex composition. (PD)

Reviewed 45 assessment instruments with respect to content domains, response and scoring procedures, administrative feasibility, target populations, and potential sources of test bias. Identified priorities for future research and development in communication competence testing. (PD)

Analyzed the following teacher communication behaviors: nonverbal immediacy, interpersonal solidarity, and communicator style. Studies suggest that perceptions of instructor communication variables differentiate effective and less effective instructors. (PD)

Investigated perceived personality and behavioral correlates of the ideal interpersonal communication instructor. Results indicated there was a two-dimensional structure underlying students' judgments: an evaluative dimension and a less well-defined activity factor. (PD)

Reports that physically abused and neglected children most frequently responded to positive overtures by adults by ignoring them and that they regularly responded in positive ways to overtures by peers. (FL)

Describes the work of the Speech Communication Association Task Force on Minimal Speaking and Listening Competencies for High School Graduates and provides recommended minimal speaking and listening competencies and implications for further curriculum development and research. (JMF)

Notes that recent research suggests a curvilinear relationship between teacher immediacy behaviors and student learning. Investigates these variables as they occur in relationships between college professors and students. Finds positive, linear relationships between (1) teacher nonverbal and verbal immediacy and perceived cognitive, affective, and…