The need and development of a textbook for adult learners entitled Communicating with confidence

Abstract

This study established the need for a short, simple, easy-to-read textbook in communications for adult learners. These students attend night classes after working in the daytime and are frequently short of time in which to read longer books. Then too many of the present texts are written in theoretical style making them difficult to understand. Students indicate they want a text which is down to earth and relates to the realities of their everyday lives. Many have been out of school for some time and many have never before attended college courses. Most present texts are written for younger, daytime college students and are somewhat remote for adults. Student feedback forms consistently indicate that texts are too long, too difficult to read, too theoretical, and too expensive. -- Communicating with Confidence--a textbook for adult learner's--was written in response to this need and was the major part of this study. It provides an introduction to communication, basic theory and experience in interpersonal communications, public speaking, and writing; and two types of bibliography (one the usual thesis bibliography, one a three-part list of other helpful books). Extensive exercises and assignments are embodied within the 12 units of the book and in lists at the end of each of the three sections.