Getting Up to Speed on the Information Highway: Integrating Web-based Resources into Business Communication Pedagogy

Abstract

Building on student and faculty enthusiasm for Web resources, we addressed four significant questions as we revised a business communications class to incorporate the Internet:

• What Web resources should we include?

• How do we make sure we select high quality sites and assessment tools?

• How do we effectively integrate Web tools with existing pedagogies?

• Will students find Web assignments valuable, easy to access, and useful for course assignments?

We integrated Web resources with other course pedagogies in the undergraduate business communications class and identified Websites relevant for teaching employment communication, including e-mail etiquette, online resumes, and elec tronic job searches. Student evaluations of our Web-enhanced course indicate that most found the Web-based assessments and tools accessible and valuable in fur thering their self-understanding and in leading them to explore other sites not required for class. We developed guidelines for using the new technology to support teaching and learning strategies.