What might we look to as a more helpful approach to solving educational communication problems? Suggests that educational administrators adopt a comprehensive strategy rather than react to problems only when they arise. Describes six basic concepts that comprise that strategy. (Author/RK)

Discussion of text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC) focuses on a study that explored CMC in communication misunderstandings. Considers the lack of nonverbal cues, language and cultural barriers, and differences from face-to-face communication, and includes a copy of the questionnaire used in the study. (LRW)

Librarians often have communication "accidents" with reference questions as initially presented. This article presents linguistic analysis of query categories, including: simple failures of hearing, accidents involving pronunciation or homophones, accidents where users repeat earlier misinterpretations to librarians, and accidents where…

Surveyed 1985-87 psychotherapy outcome literature to investigate extent of specific points of information in journal reports. Results partially support complaint that pertinent information is not routinely available. No content area addressed found consistent representation. Noticeable deficiencies were tabulated for patient demographics, disorder…

Asserts that earlier investigations of the organizational communication failures that led to the space shuttle Challenger explosion asked the wrong question. Notes an erroneous focus on why the shuttle was launched despite widespread knowledge of technical problems. Concludes that sociology of technology and new rhetoricians can help form better…

Explores the problem of sexist language in written communication. Offers a definition of sexist language, and suggests possible solutions for eliminating sex bias in language. Urges technical writing instructors to address the issue in their classes, noting that sexist language can cause serious problems in efforts to communicate effectively. (MM)

Uses the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear plant accident to illustrate the communication problems embedded in a crisis. Describes the reactions created by the stress related to crisis. Suggests business communication strategies for improving communication to the public. (SR)

Discusses the following barriers which interfere with listening efficiency: content, speaker, medium, distractions, mindset, language, listening speed, and feedback. Suggests ways to combat these obstacles to accurate comprehension. (MM)

Effective assessment of mathematical problem solving requires more than an examination of student answers. Students tend to make calculations without explanations. Teachers need to analyze their processes and get students to communicate their thinking. This article suggests ways to understand students' thinking, their conceptions, their…

An estrangement between curriculum and supervision exists in professional associations, higher education institutions, and many school systems. Factors furthering estrangement include inadequate coordination between administrative offices, the close identification of supervision with administration, and the prevalence of separate ASCD forums,…

"Plain English" practitioners advocate rewriting texts to increase readability. However, a comparison of sections of an academic text with corresponding Plain English "translations" shows that, although readability may be increased, significant changes in meaning occur. (SK)

Three theories of deafness and cognition are summarized, and the problem of deaf children's lagging cognitive development in concrete nonverbal logical problems is considered. It is suggested that this delay may be caused by the difficulty hearing people have communicating to the deaf, and educational implications of this speculation are noted.…

Notes that communication problems arise because of differences in world experience, in the amount of common knowledge shared within cultures, in the structure of societies and the workplace, in culturally specific rhetorical strategies, and even in differences in processing graphics. Suggests technical writing teachers find ways to incorporate…

Discusses communicative acts involving at least two persons, whereby a relationship is established between them, based on the use of language in a given context. The purpose of this study is to clarify the notions that such a relationship is often considered to require or contain some measure of understanding between the persons engaged in it. (19…

This study examined reactions of 23 hearing young adults to skits depicting conversation between a hearing actor and a hearing-impaired actor. Results revealed that subjects' reactions were more favorable when the hearing-impaired actor used specific rather than nonspecific requests for clarifications, and when a lower proportion of communication…