in Higher Education Speech Instruction Via Use of Small Group Modalities

Noting that many university speech students suffer from communication apprehension (CA) and must face the fear and anxiety of performance in front of the class, a study examined the effectiveness of group discussion, interpersonal communication, public speaking, and small group activities and interactions in reducing CA. Subjects, 57 students, enrolled in an introductory communication course in a community college located in the southwestern region of the United States, volunteered to participate by filling out questionnaires. Subjects participate in small group activities every class meeting except during speech presentations throughout the semester. Results indicated that students' communication apprehension decreased significantly over the course of the semester; and that utilization of a small group learning environmen; was a factor in the significant decrease in CA. (Contain